Mobile, Alabama

"I know that experience comes to us for a purpose, and if we follow the guidance of the spirit within us, we will probably find that the purpose is a good one."

Ruby Bridges in "Through My Eyes"

This morning we left Montgomery and headed for Mobile. We spent last night studying Ruby Bridges and School Integration and learned about children who triumphed in the quest to end segregation. Even when others screamed, yelled, and threatened these children, they continued to be courageous and stand up for what is right- equal schools. In order to bring this lesson to life, we traveled to a school in Mobile where children from all different cultures learn and play together. There is no separate at LFS- all the students are equal. We think that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would be proud of this school- we are!

As soon as we arrived at LFS, our student ambassadors greeted us and made us feel welcome. At first, we were very nervous and worried that we would not have anything in common with the children, but they treated us nicely and welcomed us into their school. After we ate lunch and met their classes, we all gathered in the cafeteria to create a quilt that would celebrate the diversity of their school. Each of us created a paper doll to look like us and wrote down words that helped define who we each are. We then placed our creations on the quilt and created a beautiful gift for the students at LFS.

Today we learned that children from all cultures can get along and be friends. We learned that it is important to reach out to new people and open ourselves to new experiences. It turns out that we have a lot in common with our new friends.

Working on our paper dolls with the 6th grade girls (Ms. Clarke's former students)...

With the 5th grade class...

And with the 6th graders again...

Placing our dolls and our words on the quilt...

Our finished quilt- "The United Village"...

After school we went to our hotel to check-in and get ready for dinner. Some of Ms. Clarke's old students (and our new friends) were able to join us!

Exchanging dance steps with our new friends...

Our new friends...