Happy Black History Month

Although Black History is acknowledged throughout the month of February, the achievements and contributions made by African Americans can be celebrated all year long!!

So, I often hear people ask, "What are some things I can do to celebrate Black History?" It is very simple. The goal of Black History Month (in my opinion) is to build awareness, bring recognition to, and celebrate African American history and its impact on the development of the United States. With the US being a country full of rich culture and diversity, it is only right to pay homage to those that have helped to make our nation what it is today. With this said, celebrating Black History Month doesn't have to be a grand production. It doesn't mean that teachers should drive themselves crazy trying to create projects and presentations that highlight African American trailblazers. Although these things can be done...and can be awesome, if it is only highlighted for the 28 days in February....it is really just done in vain.

What should happen is African American history shouldn't be taught separate from American History. Notable heroes, inventors, activist, teachers, politicians, performers, writers....They should all be talked about throughout the year and discussed whenever the opportunity presents itself (as with all cultures and backgrounds). During the month of February it is great to celebrate noted achievements but my point is....it shouldn't be a concern just in February. It should be relevant year round.

One great way to keep African American history relevant is to share important facts on a regular basis. This can be random or intentional (correlating with your curriculum).

With that said here is a little known Black History fact:

Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded The Journal of Negro History in 1916 and began Negro History Week in 1926. A week in February was designated because that month held birthdays for Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington. This week went on to become Black History Month in 1976, designated by presidential proclamation.

Here are few more Black History facts that you can share from my latest resource, 50 Brainy Black History Facts: 

Nat Turner is known for leading the  most significant slave revolt in U.S. History.

Shirley Chilsom was the first black woman elected to the House of Representatives.

Wally Amos is a black entrepreneur and the father of the Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookie.

The first African American astronaut was Dr. Mae Jamison.

Pedro Alonzo Nino, an African sailor, helped Christopher Columbus navigate the Nina ship.

Do these facts sound interesting? Are any of these individuals unknown or unfamiliar to you or your students? If so, GREAT! Because now you have a starter question for an inquiry project or research paper! Students can take an interesting fact either during Black History Month or at some other point during the year and build a mini research paper answering questions like: When was this person born? Why was this contribution significant? What other things is this person known for? If you want more Black History facts, feel free to check out my 50 Brainy Black History Facts resource in my TPT store.  

Download HERE

This is a great resource that can be used to teach interesting facts about notable African-Americans in United States history. Use fact cards to encourage inquiry projects throughout the year; encourage students to research facts further to learn more about an individual’s life and accomplishments. You can 

also use fact cards to ask random trivia questions or, to build schema. Great for Black History Month.

A Tribute to Black History: Garrett Morgan

February is Black History Month, but the impact African Americans have had on the development of our beautiful country and the contributions that have been made to the entire world are recognized and appreciated every day! 

How did this month long celebration get started?

Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded The Journal of Negro History in 1916 and began Negro History Week in 1926. A week in February was designated because that month held birthdays for Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington. This week went on to become Black History Month in 1976, designated by presidential proclamation.

Today's post celebrates Garrett Morgan. 

Born in 1877 to former slaves, Garret spent his childhood working on a farm with his siblings. Unfortunately, his formal schooling ended in his elementary years, but this didn't stop him from continuing his education. In search of opportunity, Morgan hired a tutor as a young adult. He soon began his career repairing sewing machines and later branched out as an entrepreneur, opening his own sewing equipment and repair shop. This was the first of many businesses he would find success with. He soon became well-known as a business man and later went on to invent the gas mask and at the height of his career, the traffic signal.  Garrett Morgan died August 27, 1963, at the age of 86. After living a very full and successful life, Morgan has become known as one of the many influential inventors in American history.




Here is a free printable worksheet that you can use to teach your students about Garret Morgan. 

Here is an extension activity that can go with the printable:

• Have your students read about additional African American inventors. Discuss the inventions that are most relevant to their everyday lives.

• Have your students think about ways they could improve these inventions, or, brainstorm things they can invent to make their day to day lives easier (i.e. a binder that comes with an electric hole puncher attached so that when you go to add paper, it automatically punches the necessary holes for you). Discuss ideas that range from simple to more complex. 

• Once they make a final decision on what their invention can be, have the students illustrate, write about, and/or create a prototype of their invention. You can display their ideas on a class bulletin board, on a display table, or take pics and post them in a "New Inventions" magazine. They can also write a newspaper article introducing their invention, or create an advertisement to promote it. Students can also vote on the invention they would most likely use. 

Visit The Black Inventor Museum for additional African American inventors:

http://www.blackinventor.com/  

Please feel free to post a link to any Black History Month activities you are posting on your blog, Facebook, or website! 

Enjoy : ) 

Martin's Big Words...A Not So Wimpy Post.

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For the last two weeks I have been teaching the history and significance of the Consitution. I always begin teaching this in the first week of January because it is a perfect segue into the celebrations of Martin Luther King, Jr holiday and Black History Month. In general, students hear a lot about Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman. But, they don't always get to learn about the contributions of Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Ruby Bridges, The Little Rock Nine, D-Day and so many other influential people and events found in the history of America until they are older. Unfortunately, some students never really get the full story and miss out on knowing a huge part of their history. When teaching the history of America and how we gained our independence from England, established a document and a government that would protect the citizens of the United States, and strengthened a thriving Nation, the text book or curriculum never really goes into detail about the  the sacrifices of the Africans and African-Americans that were held in bondage for over three hundred years. Sadly, I can say that many students never really get the full history and/or teachings that highlight the strength, courage, tenacity, perseverance, and endurance of their Africans and African-American ancestors. I know when I was in school, it just wasn't taught. Luckily, I got it at home. I learned things as a child that most adults weren't aware of. Not because they didn't care to know, but because no one taught them. There is so much that I want to share with my kids and I always take full advantage of my teachable moments. As a fourth grade teacher (in a school that is 99% African-American),  I give them a strong foundation so that even if they never get it in detail from anywhere else, they have a seed that has been planted inside of them and they know where and how to seek out information.

So tomorrow my students take a reading/social studies test that requires them to recall the branches of government and their jobs, identify the rights and freedoms found in the Bill of Rights, list 4 major historical documents that have helped to shape the United States, and interpret the Preamble to the Constitution. They will also compare/contrast  the United States now to what the United States was like after the Revolutionary War. They are ready for it, we have been working hard all week! After the test, we will discuss how, at the time the constitution was written, it didn't apply to everyone. We already talked about slavery but we will go in to more detail in a week when I begin our next read aloud: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave (of course some parts will be edited, but the theme of education and perserverance will definitely be reinforced). Following this discussion I will begin to talk about segregation and racism and what it looked like in the early 1900's. Now, how perfect is it that we celebrate the MLK holiday on Monday? I will begin talking about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his impact in the 1960's. We will discuss how segregation and racism denied African Americans of their constitutional rights and the significance of the Civil Rights Movement. I first introduce a small movie clip of Martin Luther King, Jr. giving his final speech. This is to peek the students' interest while also showcasing the passion in his delivery and the meaning behind his words. We then set the purpose for listening to the I Have a Dream Speech. The students listen to the speech  with "pen in hand". Following the speech the students write thoughtful reflections using guided questioning.

Download activities for MLK I Have a Dream Speech

But this is just the beginning. Now they understand the purpose of why the Civil Rights Movement occurred. Over the next two weeks they will "experience" what it was like to live in the United States prior to the ending of segregation. I conduct a series of activities similair to that of Jane Elliot's Blue Eyed Experiment. I also share stories, biographies, videos and events (Ruby Bridges, Emmitt Till, etc.).  I culminate these activities with the movie: Mighty Times: Children's March. This is a DYNAMIC movie that captures not only the most horrific events in the history of racism and segregation but also the strength of the CHILDREN who took a stand against it and helped to ignite major change across the nation for African-Americans. The "big idea" that I continue to reinforce is perseverance, strength, education, and endurance. I am constantly highlighting how far we have come as a country.  I make sure I keep the discussions positive and productive (if not done right, these topics could create animosity and anger). I make sure that I present them with nonbiased facts and encourage them to create their own opinions. Additionally, I highlight the contributions that were made by NonAfrican-Americans throughout history that helped to get us where we are to encourage an evaluation of "actions" and not "people"; I make great effort to prevent the perpetuation of stereotypes and misstatements.

Following this , we begin to talk about some of the more recent accomplishments and contributions of African-Americans and complete another compare and contrast activity for "then" and "now".

Please check back as I update my blog with artifacts and thoughts from my unit of study over the next several weeks. Please feel free to share your thoughts and feedback.

Ms. Wainwright : )

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Celebrating Kwanzaa

HAPPY KWANZAA!

The Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles)

Kwanzaa is a celebration that reinforces seven basic principles/values found in the African culture. It was established to help build and strengthen the African American family, community and pride within our culture. The Nguzo Saba, Swahili for the Seven Principles, developed by Dr. Maulana Karenga, are considered to be the building blocks for a strong and productive community. Although December 26-January 1 marks the celebration of Kwanzaa for African Americans throughout the United States, these principles should be practiced everyday.

Day 1 December 26/ Principle #1: Umoja (oo-MOE-jah)

UNITY: To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

Day 2 December 27/ Principle #2: Kujichagulia (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah)

SELF DETERMINATION: To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

Day 3 December 28/ Principle #3: Ujima (oo-JEE-mah)

COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY: To build and maintain our community together and to help solve the problems of our brothers and sisters.

Day 4 December 29/ Principle #4: Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah)

COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS: To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them.

Day 5 December 30/ Principle #5: Nia (nee-AH)

PURPOSE: To make our collecive vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Day 6 December 31/ Principle #6: Kuumba (Koo-OOM-bah)

CREATIVITY: To do always as much as we can, in the way that we can, in order to leave our community more beautifully than the way we inherited it.

Day 7 January 1/ Principle #7: Imani (ee-MAH-nee)

FAITH: To believe with all hearts in our parents, our teachers, our leaders, our people and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.