black history month

English Language Arts

• The Eighth-grade child learned about the contributions of prominent black authors such as Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes.
• They explored the themes of racial inequality and social justice in literature written by black authors.
• They practiced critical reading skills by analyzing and discussing historical speeches by influential black leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
• The child wrote a persuasive essay on the importance of celebrating Black History Month and the impact it has on raising awareness and promoting equality.

History

• The Eighth-grade child gained a deeper understanding of the Civil Rights Movement and its key figures, including Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, and Martin Luther King Jr.
• They learned about the historical context of slavery in the United States and its lasting effects on society.
• They researched and presented on lesser-known black historical figures who made significant contributions to the civil rights movement.
• The child examined primary sources, such as photographs and letters, to understand the experiences of black Americans during different periods of history.

Math

• The Eighth-grade child explored the concept of statistics by analyzing data related to racial disparities in education, income, and employment.
• They learned about the mathematical concepts behind gerrymandering and its impact on black representation in politics.
• They examined the economic impact of segregation and discriminatory policies on black communities and calculated the disparities in wealth and homeownership.
• The child used mathematical models to understand the effects of redlining and the racial wealth gap.

Social Studies

• The Eighth-grade child studied the geography of Africa and its rich history, including the empires of Mali, Songhai, and Ghana.
• They explored the African diaspora and its impact on different regions around the world, including the United States, the Caribbean, and South America.
• They discussed the concept of cultural appropriation and learned about the importance of respecting and celebrating different cultures.
• The child examined the role of black activists in the fight against apartheid in South Africa and the impact of their efforts on international relations.

Continued development related to the activity can include organizing a school-wide Black History Month celebration where students can showcase their learning through presentations, performances, and art displays. Encouraging students to participate in local community events and initiatives that promote racial equality and social justice can also help deepen their understanding and engagement with black history.

Book Recommendations

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: A powerful novel that explores police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement through the eyes of a young black girl.
• Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson: A memoir in verse that tells the author's own story of growing up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s.
• The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis: This historical fiction novel follows an African American family on their journey from Michigan to Alabama during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.