From the "Curriculum for the Study of the Legacy of Mayor Marion Barry, Jr.," written by Barry's staff and distributed to all public schools in Washington, D.C. The curriculum includes a summary of Barry's accomplishments and a lesson plan for grades 1-12. It omits the fact that Barry was convicted for possession of crack cocaine in 1990 but does mention briefly that he "fell prey to the demons of alcohol and illegal substances" yet rose "like a phoenix" and was reelected mayor in 1994.

Goals

• To acquire knowledge about the role and contributions of Marion Barry Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement.
• To examine and develop an understanding of the political movement for Home Rule in the District of Columbia and the role of Marion Barry Jr. in this event.
• To acquire knowledge about the significant contributions of Marion Barry Jr. to the District of Columbia during his tenure as school-board member, city-council member, and mayor.

Suggested Activities

• Develop a time line chronicling important dates in the life of Mayor Marion Barry Jr.
• Develop original posters on the life of Marion Barry Jr.
• Organize a door-decorating project in honor of Mayor Marion Barry Jr.
• Organize a bulletin-board contest highlighting the life of Mayor Marion Barry Jr.
• Design banners to display in your school honoring the legacy of Mayor Marion Barry Jr.
• Form research groups to obtain information on the contributions of Mayor Marion Barry Jr. as a school-board member.
• Write letters to Mayor Barry expressing your thoughts about his tenure as mayor.
• Research and write essays on the contributions of Mayor Marion Barry Jr.
• Write short stories on the contributions of Mayor Marion Barry Jr. to the youth of the District of Columbia.
• Write poems on the contributions of Mayor Marion Barry Jr.

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