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Merion Second Graders Explore the Life & Legacy of Ruby Bridges
A collage showing Merion Elementary students learning about Ruby Bridges. At the top left, three students work together on a tablet. At the top right, Norman Rockwell’s painting depicts Ruby Bridges walking to school escorted by federal marshals. At the bottom left, a historic black-and-white photograph shows Ruby Bridges walking into school with marshals. At the bottom right, a student smiles while holding a clipboard with notes. Across the center, a hand-drawn banner reading “RUBY BRIDGES” wit

As part of Black History Month programming at Merion Elementary School, second-grade students stepped into the role of historians, researchers and storytellers through a collaborative biography project exploring the life and legacy of an influential African American. In Mr. DelloBuono’s class, following thoughtful discussion, students chose Ruby Bridges as the individual whose courage and story would serve as the centerpiece of their work.

Students were then divided into small groups, with each group focusing on a different part of Ruby’s life story. Their work was ultimately combined to create an eye-catching and educational “door display” that classmates and visitors could explore and learn from when passing by Mr. DelloBuono’s room.

Ruby Bridges was a six-year-old African American girl who became a symbol of courage during the Civil Rights Movement when she integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960. At the time, segregation laws required separate schools, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling that segregation was unconstitutional. Ruby was the only African American child to attend the school that year, and she faced angry and hateful crowds, threats, and isolation, escorted daily by federal marshals for her safety. Inside the school, she often learned alone because white families withdrew their children in protest. Her experience exposed the deep resistance to racial equality and demonstrated the federal government’s role in enforcing civil rights. Ruby’s bravery helped pave the way for desegregation across the United States and showed how even a young child could influence the course of history.

The slideshow below features images of students reading books about Ruby, researching information online, and working collaboratively to create their group posters for the door display.

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Three young students, two girls and one boy, are sitting at a table in a classroom setting, engaged in various learning activities such as reading a book and using a tablet.
A young boy in a blue sweater is sitting at a desk, smiling and waving at the camera while using a laptop computer. The desk is cluttered with various school supplies and materials.
A group of children and an adult are gathered around laptops, engaged in what appears to be a collaborative learning or educational activity in a classroom-like setting with various educational materials and furniture visible in the background.
The image shows a whiteboard with a biography of Ruby Bridges written on it, along with various notes and a collection of books and other materials related to her life and story.
A group of young students are gathered around a table, engaged in a collaborative learning activity in a classroom setting.
A group of young children are gathered around a table, engaged in various activities such as drawing, writing, and using a tablet device. The background shows cubbies and other classroom furnishings, indicating this is a school or educational setting.
Two students, a boy and a girl, are sitting at desks in a classroom setting, focused on their work on laptop computers.
A young boy in a red shirt and gray jacket is sitting at a desk surrounded by colorful children's books and educational materials.
A man is crouched down, working on something on the floor, while a young girl sits nearby, appearing to be observing or waiting.
A young child is sitting at a desk, intently focused on a laptop computer screen in front of them, with various school supplies and materials visible in the background.
Three young children, two boys and one girl, are gathered around a laptop computer in what appears to be a classroom setting, with shelves and educational materials visible in the background.
A young boy in a yellow sweater is sitting on the floor, intently focused on using a laptop computer in a cluttered room.
A young girl with glasses and a warm smile is holding a clipboard and appears to be in a classroom or educational setting.
A group of four children, two boys and two girls, are standing together in what appears to be a school hallway or classroom setting. The children are smiling and seem to be engaged in some kind of activity or conversation.
A young girl with blonde, curly hair is sitting at a table, smiling and drawing in a book in a classroom setting with shelves and supplies visible in the background.
Three children, a girl with long brown hair, a girl with blonde hair, and a boy with short dark hair, are gathered around a laptop computer, intently focused on the screen.
The image shows two young students sitting on the floor, working together on a project or assignment. The background includes a desk, chairs, and other classroom materials, suggesting this is taking place in an educational setting.
A group of young students are gathered around a table, engaged in a collaborative learning activity, with various school supplies and materials visible in the classroom setting.
A group of children sitting on the floor, engaged in an activity or discussion, with various items and furniture visible in the background.
A group of children sitting on the floor, engaged in what appears to be a collaborative activity, with various art supplies and materials scattered around them.
The image shows two students, a boy and a girl, sitting on the floor and engaged in what appears to be a collaborative activity, with various materials and supplies scattered around them.
The image shows several children sitting on the floor, engaged in various activities such as playing with toys and writing on a large sheet of paper.
Three children are sitting on the floor, intently working on a large poster with various drawings and text.
A group of young children are sitting on the floor, engaged in various activities such as drawing, writing, and playing with toys. The classroom setting, with its colorful walls and educational materials, provides a vibrant and engaging environment for their learning and exploration.
The image appears to be a handwritten biographical information about a person named Ruby, including details about her early life, family, and education.
A group of young students, both boys and girls, are gathered around a laptop, intently focused on the screen as they collaborate on a project or assignment.
The image depicts a colorful and expressive hand-drawn poster with text and illustrations related to the concept of %22Portrayals and Quotes%22. The foreground features a figure in a hat, while the background includes various elements such as a building, a quote, and other textual and visual elements.
The image is a handwritten and illustrated tribute to Ruby Bridges, a civil rights pioneer who was the first Black child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in the United States. It highlights her impact and legacy through various statements and drawings.
The image appears to be a poster or display board with various handwritten notes, drawings, and information about a person named Ruby Bridges. The poster covers topics related to her early life, impact, and legacy.
The image appears to be a handwritten and illustrated poster or display about the %22Ruby Bridges Foundation%22 and its work to end racism and promote tolerance, respect, and unity.
The image appears to be a hand-drawn timeline comparing two individuals, with various events and details written out in a childlike manner.

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