Free Printable Rosa Parks Worksheet for Kids

Our 7-year-old girls recently learned about Rosa Parks at school, and it was inspiring to see how engaged they were with the story of this courageous woman. Teaching younger children about the legacy of Rosa Parks is an excellent way to introduce them to social justice, equal rights, and the civil rights movement in American history. 

This Rosa Parks worksheet is perfect for elementary school students and can be used as part of lesson plans for Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March, or any time during the school year. With a focus on independent work and critical thinking, it’s designed to help young readers understand why Mrs. Parks is such an important figure in U.S. history.

The Story of Rosa Parks

The story of Rosa Parks is one of courage, dignity, and determination in the face of injustice. On December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks boarded a segregated bus and sat in the front row of the “colored” section. When the bus driver, following city ordinances, demanded that she give up her seat to a white man as the front was full, Mrs. Parks quietly refused to move to the back of the bus. 

Her brave act of civil disobedience led to her arrest and sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott—a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. For over a year, black people in Montgomery refused to ride city buses, enduring hardships to demand equal rights. The boycott’s success ultimately led to a Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional, solidifying Rosa Parks’ role as an icon in the fight for racial equality.

What’s in the Rosa Parks Worksheet?

This free printable Rosa Parks worksheet provides a fact-filled activity that encourages young people to explore the life of Rosa Louise McCauley Parks and her pivotal role in the civil rights movement. Kids can research all about this period of history and fill in their own biography of Rosa Parks. 

Here’s a detailed explanation of each section:

Basic Information about Rosa Parks

• Birthdate: Students can fill in Rosa Parks’ birthdate, February 4, 1913, which marks the beginning of the life of one of the most famous civil rights activists in American history.
• Birthplace: Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, Mrs. Parks grew up in a segregated society. Knowing her birthplace helps younger children understand the environment that shaped her bravery and activism.
• Death: Rosa Parks passed away on October 24, 2005, at the age of 92. Including this information helps students see how her legacy continued well into the modern era.

Early Life of Rosa Parks

• Family Background: Students can learn about her parents, Leona and James McCauley, and her younger brother, Sylvester. Her mother was a teacher, which encouraged Rosa’s early interest in education.
• Education: Rosa Parks attended a segregated school system and later earned her high school diploma, a significant achievement at the time for an African American woman.
• Early Influences: Important influences include her husband, Raymond Parks, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), where she became active in the fight against racial segregation.

Major Contributions of Rosa Parks

• Field of Expertise: Rosa Parks was an African American civil rights activist, famously known as the “Mother of the Freedom Movement.”
• Key Achievements: Her brave act on December 1, 1955, when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger, sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and helped lead to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that segregation on city buses was unconstitutional.
• Notable Works/Actions: Beyond the boycott, Rosa Parks continued her activism throughout her later years, receiving numerous awards such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal for her contributions to racial equality and social justice.

Rosa Parks Impact on Society

• Legacy: Rosa Parks’ legacy as a role model and civil rights leader lives on. Her actions paved the way for civil rights activism and the eventual end of racial segregation in the United States.
• Memorable Quote: Students can add her famous quote, “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.”
• Interesting Facts: This section is great for younger children to include fun facts, such as how the bus Rosa Parks rode is now displayed in the Henry Ford Museum, or that she founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute to inspire young people.

Answers for the Rosa Parks Worksheet Fact File

Here are sample answers that can guide young learners as they complete the worksheet:

• Birthdate: February 4, 1913
• Birthplace: Tuskegee, Alabama, United States
• Death: October 24, 2005, Detroit, Michigan, United States
• Family Background: Parents: Leona and James McCauley; Younger brother: Sylvester McCauley
• Education: Attended Montgomery Industrial School for Girls and earned a high school diploma at age 20
• Field of Expertise: Civil rights activist
• Key Achievements: Refusing to give up her bus seat, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and helping end segregation laws
• Legacy: Known as the “First Lady of Civil Rights” and honored with numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal

Download the Rosa Parks Worksheet PDF

Click the link below to download the free Rosa Parks worksheet and start exploring the life of this important figure in U.S. history. This PDF file includes more worksheets of other civil rights leaders and inspirational people from Black history. Be sure to print the correct page – this worksheet is on page 5!

Terms of Use: These worksheets are free for personal and classroom use only. Feel free to share this blog post with others, but please do not redistribute or sell the file.

Teaching kids about Rosa Parks is crucial even today because her story highlights the values of fairness, respect, and standing up for what’s right. It helps young people understand that positive change often starts with one person’s courage and that peaceful protest can be a powerful tool for justice.

Learning about figures like Rosa Parks encourages critical thinking and empathy, helping children grasp the importance of treating everyone equally, regardless of the color of their skin. It also provides a deeper understanding of American history, showing how the efforts of ordinary people can shape a nation’s future. By studying Rosa parks story and her legacy, young learners can see the ongoing relevance of social justice in today’s world and be inspired to become future leaders in their communities.

More Black History Month Activities for Kids

If you’ve found these free rosa parks worksheets helpful and are looking for more Black History Month activities to engage young learners, then check out our resources below. Whether you’re teaching about civil rights activists, important events in African American history, or encouraging creative writing with fun worksheets, we have plenty of ideas for elementary and middle school students.

• Black History Month Watercolor Art Project
• Dr Martin Luther King Jr Color By Number
• Free Printable Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Worksheet for Kids 
• Free Printable Martin Luther King Jr Coloring Sheets MLK Day
• Black History Month Coloring Pages (Free Printables)
• Black History Month Word Search Printables (Civil Rights Activists)

Free Printable Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Worksheet for Kids 

Black History Month Word Search Printables (Civil Rights Activists)

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