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Elizabeth Public Schools Black History Month Activities and Events

Nicholas S. LaCorte-Peterstown School No.3

Teachers will be sharing a daily quote and brief bio of a noted Black figure for each day of Black History Month that also relates to the school’s theme of "S.T.E.A.M." (Science/Sports, Technology, Engineering,/Entertainment, Arts, Math/Music & More). Additionally, at the end of the month a virtual assembly will be shared with all students and team members celebrating Black History.
Mabel G. Holmes School No. 5

Among the schoolwide activities taking place at School No. 5 are a poetry contest for which students will watch the a video Amanda Gorman, the United States' first-ever youth poet laureate, reciting a powerful poem at the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and then write their own poem; the creation of videos that answer the question "What Black History means to me?"; and the development of a "Soul Food" Recipe Cook Book for which students will submit their favorite family recipe.

Black History Virtual Museum
Toussaint L’Ouverture – Marquis de Lafayette School No. 6

Black History Month Activities

February 4, 2021

Prek-3

Celebration of Black History Month by sharing read aloud books, research activities to learn more about African American achievements, videos that celebrate African Americans and their impact on history today.

My class has been watching and discussing the moments in history on PBS. They are sharing their feelings about the historical events in short sentences on the white broad. The class is viewing and video documentaries and answering question on Kahoot. We also watched the animated story based on Martin Luther King’s Junior’s life. Also, they have watched Ruby Bridge’s at age 6 integrate on November 14 ,1960 New Orleans movie reenactment and compared their experience to her struggles with segregation….

At the Library we kicked off this week by reading a non-fiction title about Ruby Bridges. We are discussing what makes Ruby a hero.

For Black History month, we are reading important facts about black people who have changed our society. Many of the people chosen are hidden figures in history but made a huge contribution to society either through inventions or deeds.

Ms. Merrick and I will be teaching the children about Garrett Morgan. Students will create their own traffic light signal. Students will review letter sounds by choosing three pictures that belong with each letter presented. Pictures will be placed in each of the three circles in a traffic light sign. This will be shared with students in a PowerPoint.

Our class will be exploring the lives of African-Americans through reading books on EPIC and watching videos lessons through our Social Studies Class Page. We will then write and illustrate a report/poster on one of the African-American figures and share with the class.

We are celebrating Black History Month by watching short bio videos of famous black Americans. We are also reading through different kid appropriate books that tell stories of the black experience here in the United States.

We will watch short YouTube videos about famous black Americans and read books written by black authors.

Art-Poems and illustrations from the poetry book, Under the Sunday Tree.

For black history month, we will be researching as a class and go over the important of this month and why we celebrate it. We will watch educational videos and read stories that we can further engage in discussions.

We are celebrating Black History Month in our autism classrooms by reading The Colors Around Me an interactive story about colors and friends. The children will also be using an interactive adapted book to learn about Rosa Parks.

The Chalk Doll, by Charlotte Pomerantz and illustrated by Frané

Lessac. The Chalk Doll is a children's story about Rose who has a bad cold and her mother tells her the story of how, her mother, as a child, grew up in Jamaica. She was very poor and could not afford to buy a doll, so she made a doll with her own mother. We read the story together and students draw a scene of Jamaica and any toy that they may make without buying it.

Students in 226 will be conducting their own research on a historical character that worked to promote equality among the people in our country. Students will use Epic and the Elizabeth Public Library resources. They will submit a video and written report on Class Dojo as a final project.

4-8 Grade

Hi. Each day at the start of social studies class, I share a quote from a well-known African-American and give a brief synopsis of their contributions to society. In eighth grade, we are learning about the 1920s and we have been focusing on the Harlem Renaissance and contributions made by other African-Americans during the time in several of the lessons.

In AVID, we are doing a poetry reading this Friday and the students are choosing poems written by African-Americans that they will read to the class. In addition to reading the poem to us, the students are expected to share why they selected the poem they did.

I have a Unified Classroom page that included videos explaining the importance of Black History Month. I also will discuss different famous African American each week. My students have to select a famous African American person to do their PowerPoint project on that will be due at the end of the month.

We will be doing a brief research project on a famous Black History figures and also the students will be reading independent stories on getepic.com as well as completing activities on ReadWorks.org about important figures in Black History.

We watched a rap video on Booker T Washington and WEB Du Bois perspectives on equality. Both men wanted equality but had different ways of going about it. This led to discussion on multiple solutions to a problem and point of view/opinion.

In LAL we have already done an article about Honoring Dr. King and the purpose for the Dr. King holiday. Next week we will be researching Famous and Inspirational African Americans for a writing project. If you need more details, let me know.

I have created a Social Studies Class page in Unified Classroom dedicated to Black History Month. The page contains a video about Black History Month for students to view. There is a mystery cards assignment. Students will read description of various notable African Americans on activity cards, and then log their answer on a recording sheet. Students will complete a project as well. They will choose a famous African American from American History. Next, they will do research on the person using the internet and approved websites to gather information about the person. Then, they will create a Power Point Presentation containing at least 4 slides which provide interesting facts about the person they chose to research. A rubric is also provided.

Poems by Eloise Greenfield, a poet from North Carolina and the paintings are by Mr. Amos Ferguson, a famous Bahamian painter. We read the poems together and connect the paintings to the poems. We select a poem to illustrate and give their own meaning.

Art - Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley, portrait painters. Amy Sherald painted the official White House portrait of Michelle Obama and Kehinde Wiley painted the official White House portrait of Barack Obama. Students study portrait painting and draw their own portrait of someone they choose or a pet.

I’m having students select an influential African American person of their choice and create a project of choice... a PowerPoint slide show, written biography, or any other digital format.

We are reading poetry by Langston Hughes (Thank you Ma'am) and reading background information on slave life in the south in commonlit.org called "Life of a Slave on a Southern Plantation ”. We are also reading fiction books on Slavery in the 7th grade. We work on 1 piece a week, usually Friday.

Autism Program: Students will be reading The Colors Around Me, an interactive story about colors and friends, and will also be using an interactive adapted book to learn about Rosa Parks.

PreK-3: Students are celebrating Black History Month by sharing read aloud books; researching the achievements of prominent African Americans; watching videos that celebrate African Americans and their impact on history today; creating traffic lights and learning about Garrett Morgan; reading poems and looking at illustrations from the poetry book, Under the Sunday Tree; reading The Chalk Doll, a story about a poor Jamaican girl who could not afford to buy a doll, so she made a doll with her own mother, and drawing a scene of Jamaica and any toy that they may make without buying it.

Grades 4-8: Students will learn about the Harlem Renaissance and contributions made by other African-Americans during that time period; read poems written by African-Americans as part of a poetry reading; create presentation and research projects on a famous African Americans; watch a rap video on Booker T Washington and WEB Du Bois’ perspectives on equality and discuss how there are multiple solutions to a problem and a difference in point of view or opinion; identify famous African Americans based on clues provided on mystery cards; and read poems by Eloise Greenfield, a poet from North Carolina, and view paintings by Mr. Amos Ferguson, a famous Bahamian painter, and connect each of the poems with a painting.

Art: Students will study portrait painters Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley and will draw their own portrait of a person or pet they choose and create digital projects about an influential African American person of their choice.
Terence C. Reilly School No.7

Pre K - Students talked about celebrating their differences. Teachers created a power point using the answers the children provided to the following Sentence stems: My hair is… My eyes are…. I am…. I have…. My skin is… I love…..

2^nd Grade - Timelines of Notable Black Figures – Used to both learn about figure and be able to create their own personal timeline.

3^rd Grade - Black History Month Project Presentation (Keynote/PowerPoint) on Person of Choice

4^th Grade - Black History Month PBL entitled "Ending Racism & Bigotry" presentations and ideas on how to combat this issue was shared with grade level.

5^th Grade – Students worked on creating 3 dimensional cutouts of famous African Americans throughout history and then educating their peers on their accomplishments throughout history.

6^th Grade – Students used different notable Black figures to create poems based on information that they gathered while reading different historical article.

7^th Grade - 7^th grade students analyzed the words of the Declaration of Independence as it relates to the history of African Americans. The original draft contained lines that condemned slavery in America. The lines were removed to ensure support from all the colonies to join the cause for independence. Students discussed the long-term consequences of delaying the discussions of abolition from that time and how it still impacts us today.

8^th Grade - 8th grade students continued their focus on investigating the experiences and contributions of Black Americans in U.S. history. Recent historical topics included the experiences of Black Americans in the 1920s and 1930s. Students also continued to discuss issues or race relations in the current environment, including the aftermath of the events of January 6, 2021. An ongoing topic of investigation has been the effect of Covid 19 and the pandemic as it relates to identity, specifically the impact on Black Americans.

Fourth Grade Students at Terence C. Reilly School took Black History Month very seriously and compassionately through the preparation and presentation of an assignment entitled: “Ending Racism & Bigotry-From the Vewpoint of a Nine or Ten-year Old.”

Students were given the task of expressing their thoughts through Wall Art, music, dance, poetry, Minecraft, Power Point, Keynote, collages, children’s story book, or whatever medium they were comfortable using.

Luna Gomez composed a song with music and recorded it for the classes. Sydney Francisco created through time-lapsed photography, a beautiful work of art, using the comparison of two frames—one with only blue string, the second with strings of color and different accoutrements attached representing diversity.

Another student created a tree that demonstrated the diversity of humans growing together.

A sample of one student’s poetry:

Ending Racism & Bigotry

By: Brooklynn Briana Daley Small

Racism is a deep stain in our society

that leaves People of Color in a constant state of anxiety.

It follows them through every sector of organized systems

From education, healthcare, economy… that all just dismiss them.

Even a minor traffic stop

Could lead to an encounter with a racist cop.

One wrong move or flinch

can result in a modern-day lynch.

No, judge, jury or prosecutor

just one trigger-happy executioner.

It is time for Racism to an end.

We, as a people, can stand together & defend

Everyone’s right to not be judged or compared by their hue.

But to be seen as a whole person

And be given their just due.

Ending Racism & Bigotry

THE POWER OF EMANCIPATION

Samuel Aboagye 4-212

Social Studies Class

In a and leads to the revolt of the lesser

Good men standing up to bullies brings about emancipation

Failure to act against racism leads to human agitation

Therefore, let the serenity of freedom reigns forever.

The ridiculous fight over the continuation of slavery

Who will lead this fight? Because it takes bravery!

A brave man stands to lead the fight

Lincoln knew more about a southerner’s plight.

Let us all come together to end the suffering and pain

The love we show to others will never be in vain

With love, we can learn to forgive and stay in peace

Let the oppression cease

Let the serenity of freedom reign
iPrep Academy School No. 8 students will have the opportunity to watch a video of students from past years participating in several Black History Month activities and will also participate virtually in various lessons and activities related to Black History during the month of February.

Some activities that we did for Black History Month
1. Shared a link of past students conducting activities in school; shared a video of students from past years of the activities they have done such as creating their own raps, dancing and reading poetry.
2. Kindergarten students watched a video and read the story Mae Among the Stars; Mae Among the Stars is a children’s book that was inspired by Mae Jemison, the first African American Woman in space. Student then created work on what they could accomplish if they believed in themselves as Mae did.
3. Our librarian Mrs. Larson read African American Folk Tales to students during library time.
4. Shared Jerry Jacobs video with the staff to share with the students in which he spoke about Artifacts and African American Tales, African American Inventors and African Tales and Proverbs.
5. 7^th Grade Social Studies Curriculum which includes African American Life from 1900-1920’s, African American Civil Rights, the migration of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North and the Harlem Renaissance.
6. 4^th grade students looked at the ABC’s of Black History Month and pulled out 5 Historical African American’s and how they contributed to our history.
7. 4^th grade students looked at Dr. Martin Luther’s Nobel Peace Prize Speech and discussed why it was such a powerful speech, and what was he communicating that was so important.
8. 2^nd grade students learned about George Washington Carver and Harriet Tubman, they read about them, conducted Brain Pop activities on them.
9. 1^st grade students did an MLK flipbook, read stories about MLK. They did a Ruby Bridges project because she was also a 1^st grader, a graphic organizer on why she was brave.
10. 5^th grade students did a PowerPoint project on influential leaders of the Underground Railroad. Researched influential African American scientists and inventors.
6^th grade students learned about African American inventors and their impact.

Below are different work samples my students completed during Black History Month and Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.
Jerome Dunn Academy School No. 9

This is The YEAR of Perseverance & Making Kindness the Norm School No. 9. Each day during Black History Month, for the School of Character "Tune in and Chat" focused on LOVE, students will be presented with a quote representative of Black History and/or by a notable black person. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in Black Lives Matter at School, a national coalition organizing for racial justice in education; view documentaries chronicling Black history, both in America and popular culture and have; and participate in related lessons, discussions, and projects.

In honor of Black History Month, our k-2 Artists in Ms. Martinez’s art class, learned the history and notable accomplishments of Ruby Bridges of Mae C. Jemison. The scholars created portrait drawings of each to share with the school community. In addition, they presented in class the women’s courageous stories.

Black History Monththe pillar of LOVE
Elmora School No. 12

Autism Program: Students will be reviewing the traffic light, making their own traffic light, and watching a video to bring awareness and understanding to the concept of the traffic light and the significance that it still has in our lives today.

Pre-K and K: Students will participate in an egg activity experiment, highlighting how we may are different on the outside but the same on the inside.

Grade 1: Students will learn about African Americans who made a positive impact in society. After discussing several people, students to make a poster with facts about one person that they choose. Students will have an opportunity to present their poster to the class.

Grade 2: Students will hear inspirational quotes from prominent African Americans, learn about Black children who made a difference in society(Ruby Bridges), and will be paired with another student they may not usually talk with to find out one interesting fact about that person's life in a lesson about embracing each other’s differences.

Grade 3: Students will select a prominent figure for Black History Month on whom to conduct research and create a PowerPoint presentation outlining this person’s early life, major accomplishments, and importance in history.

Grade 4: Students will be creating a virtual museum, with one homeroom focusing on biographies of famous African American mathematicians and scientists, another homeroom focusing on noted African American poets, writers, politicians, and civil rights activists, and the third homeroom focusing on famous African American athletes and entertainers. Students will create their biographies in PowerPoint presentations or Word documents. Once completed, a date will be set with virtual student presentations inviting parents to come.

Grade 5: Students will finish reading the novel Diary of A Slave Girl and participate in discussions related to the story.

Grades 6-8: Students participate in discussions about racism and discrimination through curriculum lessons and related novels.

Band/Arts: Students in band class will learn about Jazz and listen to the best African American jazz musicians of all time. Art students will discuss the African American Female Artist named Beverly Buchanan along with making drawings and sculptures inspired by her work.

Elmora School No. 12 Black History Month- February 2021

School No. 13

Benjamin Franklin School No. 13

Throughout the month of February, students will listen to a quote from a figure in Black History and will participate in discussions or writing activities based on the quote. They will also research black athletes, activists, and present-day leaders; participate in a Howard University Virtual Tour, conduct a platform discussion on Race, Culture, and Ethnicity, have a virtual lunch together sharing foods from different cultures, watch a screening of Ruby Bridges, and close the month by giving presentations of the members of Black History they researched.

Black History Month Activities

Black History Month Fact of the Day

Benjamin Franklin School #13

Black History Month Activities 2021

February 1^st-February 26^th	Morning quotes/Morning Message-Discussion or writing activity based on the quote shared with students
Monday, February 1^st	Begin Research of athletes/activists and present-day leaders
Friday, February 5^th	Interactive Museum Tour
Tuesday, February 9^th	Howard University Virtual Tour Speaker 2-3pm
Wednesday, February 17^th	6-8 Platform Discussion-Race Culture, Ethnicity
Friday, February 19^th	Lunch Bunch-Food from different cultures
Tuesday, February 23^rd	Movie-Ruby Bridges
Friday, February 26^th	Culminating Program (Presentation of athletes/activists and present-day leader videos)

Abraham Lincoln School No. 14

School No. 14 students are participating in grade-level and schoolwide activities. Kindergarten students are reading and writing about famous Black Americans. Third grade students are doing research into famous black individuals. Once completed, students will be presenting this information to class. Middle school students are learning about Jazz and listening to the best African American jazz musicians of all time. Students are then creating their own jazz song on bandlab.com. Seventh and eighth grade scholars are participating in a Black history Month Home Scavenger Hunt. Students are presented with a bio on 5 black inventors and then are asked to identify items that matched their invention.

As a schoolwide activity, to honor all the black Americans who have helped, and continue to help, change, and shape our country, School No. 14 is hosting a student contest for which scholars in all grades will highlight a black American who they believe made an important impact on our country. Students may use their creativity to complete this task by drawing a picture, writing a sentence (Grades K-2) or an essay, record themselves reading aloud or submit a writing to be read aloud, create an iMovie, write a poem to submit or record themselves reading, or create a to submit or record themselves singing. Students can choose to work independently or with a friend or friends. The winners work will be included in our “morning announcements” each Friday during the month of February.

In an effort to include the voices of more team members schoolwide, in honor of BHM, team members have been given the opportunity to volunteer by conduct “morning announcements” and share who an important black American is to them and why.
Christopher Columbus School No. 15

K: Students will read and discuss books about the African-American experience such as “Amazing Grace”. They will make connections, draw, and write about what they have learned.

1st Grade: Students will read about and discuss various prominent African-American figures. They will then write about their favorite African-American figure.

2nd Grade: Students will be asked to research an African-American person who had a very important impact on our History. The students are using a graphic organizer to begin learning research and their organization skills.

3rd Grade: Students are currently doing a research project and watching videos about prominent African-Americans.

4th Grade: Students are reading a book of their choice from getepic.com and creating a PowerPoint slide show to share with their class.

5th Grade: Students have read the books Freedom Crossing, 40 Acres, and Maybe a Mule, The Story of Oney Judge, Henry's Freedom Box, Island-born, etc. and have taken a look at various works of art. The students are going to be analyzing the influence of Black art throughout the diaspora more specifically, Latin America. Lastly, they’ve compared past events to current events (attempts at reparations, voter suppression, etc.).

6th Grade: In their Science class, students will watch and discuss a video titled Black Inventors of the 20^th and 21^st Century. In their Mathematics class, students will research and present a PowerPoint Presentation on Black Mathematicians or African American Mathematicians or Engineers. In their Language Arts class, students will also read poems, short stories, and biographies on African American history and written by African-American authors. Students will create a PowerPoint about one prominent figure in African-American history and they will teach the class about who that person was and what they did in history. In their Social Studies class, students will do a research project about one African American in History or about the Slave life during the Ancient History and examine the affects it had on society.

7th Grade: Students have read an article titled "Life of a Slave in a Southern Plantation". They will also watch a video on the Little Rock Nine and discuss how the struggles of African Americans continued much longer after slavery was abolished. They will complete a Nearpod activity on Black American Inventors. As part of their Social Studies class, students will do a research project called Bio Poems. They pick a figure and then research certain aspects of their lives and create poems. They will be creating "interviews" based off of their research.

8th Grade: Students will do a research project called Bio Poems. They pick a figure and then research certain aspects of their lives and create poems, and they will be creating "interviews" based off of their research.

Grades 6-8- The school newspaper, which is produced by sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, features articles on the origin of Black History Month, an article on why it is important to celebrate Black History Month as well as Black American art, photographs, and poems.
Madison-Monroe School No. 16

During Black History Month, School No. 16 will be honoring a famous Black American during homeroom each day of February. Students in all grades will be participating in a drawing contest and students in the upper elementary grades will be participating in a writing contest. Both contests will promote noted figures and significant events in Black History.

Black History Month Fact of the Day
Robert Morris School No. 18

For Black history month, School No. 18 students will be learning lessons in Black History in terms of the contributions to prominent Black figures to the advancement of America and their significance in American History using various forms of media.
- Diversity PD with Staff- video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYTtcLUWyCU
- Mrs. Green and Ms. Romano’s Pre-k class
- Research and Biographies in all grades
- Music- Practicing jazz “scatting”
- Middle School Social Studies- Informative Trading Cards using influential Black/African-American people
- 8^th grade Black History Poem Analysis Freedom Riders and Individual poems created by students, close reading to the lyrics of “What’s going on?”; Nonfiction reading on Emmitt Till, Freedom Rides, and Tuskegee Airmen, creating a poem related to Black history/historical figure
- 7^th Grade-Black History Month Project- PowerPoint Project
- 6^th Grade-Cite Text using RACE: Barack Obama, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Ruby Bridges, Harriet Tubman
- Daily “Do Nows” using blackfacts.com
- Culturally appropriate videos about Black contributors
- Persuasive Writing pieces (Why should Jackie Robinson be allowed to play baseball in the MLB?, for example)
- Rosa Park portraits
- Letters to the Ruby Bridges foundation
- Historical Figures Project Shares
- Song-Best Black History Month Song! | Celebrate Black People Who Change the World | Miss Jessica's World - YouTube
- Middle Passage slave trade in the 1840s from the Amistad Curriculum
- Post-Revolutionary War slavery and its effect on the US economy
- Brain Pop video and quizzes
- Class readings and discussion about slavery, the Underground Railroad, the abolitionist movement, and the end of slavery.
Woodrow Wilson School No. 19

Among some of the activities in which students will be participating are discussing famous African American people and their contributions to music and the theatre; giving a research presentation on a famous African American person; viewing videos of Black inventors, Black authors, and sharing stories of how historical black people changed the way in America each day; reading age-appropriate books related to Black History; discussing quotes from famous African American leaders; writing essays about the important contributions that have been made in the past and today; and drawing illustrations related to Black History Month.

Woodrow Wilson School #19

Black History Month Activities

Schoolwide:
- Wear Black /Green/ Red Day- Feb 18, 2021
- Virtual Guest Readers for Black History Month- Feb 19, 2021
- Videos shared with staff/students from our community leaders:
  - Council Woman Patricia Perkins Auguste
  - Brenda Griggs former EPS assistant
  - Freeholder Sergio Granados
Pre-K:
- Video from former EPS assistant Brenda Griggs
- Read Aloud on African American stories
- Read age-appropriate books or utilize read-aloud links via YouTube. I Am Rosa Parks - Read Along w/ Words on Screen - YouTube A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. by David A. Adler: Children's Books Read Aloud - YouTube Harriet Tubman - My First Biography - Black History Month - YouTube Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? | Storytime Books Read Aloud - YouTube Ella Fitzgerald - Black History Month Read Aloud for Kids - YouTube Muhammad Ali | kids books read aloud | Black History Month - YouTube
- Draw a picture for a friend or relative about Black History Month.
- Re-enact a Black History Month story through art.
- Discuss famous inventors.
- James E. West - Microphone
- Sarah Boone - Improved Ironing Board
- Garrett Morgan - The Three-Light Traffic Light
- Alexander Miles - Automatic Elevator Door
- Draw or paint a traffic light.
- Play Red Light, Green Light.
- Discuss Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” and ask children what their dreams are.
- Sing Black History songs and read poems
K-2 teachers:
- Power Point presentation on Rosa Parks and writing assignment.
- Read stories, discuss, and write about the lives and contributions made; directed drawings. (MLK Jr., Ruby Bridges, Frederick Douglas, Rosa Parks, and several other famous African Americans).
- PowerPoint presentation on George Washington Carver and writing assignment.
- Presented online book on Black Inventors A-Z that contributed to our everyday life.
- read about George Washington Carver. We learned about his accomplishments and inventions. Children created a writing graphic organizer and wrote a biography on his life and character.
Grades 3-5:
- On a Power Point an interactive Library on African American authors. Students click on book of preference brings them to an interactive story telling site. Some of the books were the following:
  - The Girl for a Mind for Math, the story of Raye Montegue by Julia Finley
  - Hidden Figures – The true story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly
  - The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes- The story of Dr. Patricia Bath
  - Dream Builder- The story of Architect Philip Freelon by Starling Lyons
  - The Oldest Student- The story of how Mary Walker learned to read by Rita L. Hubbard
  - Last Stop on Market Street- by Matt de la Peña
  - The Power of Her Pen- The story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L Payne
  - Hair Love – Story of father learning to do his daughters hair for the first time
- Youtube video of The Rosa Parks Story (Back of the Bus (Rosa Parks Story) Read Aloud w/ Words on Screen - YouTube). Classroom discussion
- Black history month library of virtual books shared with students and they are asked to read one of the stories.
Grades 6-8:
- Black History Month Research Project- Students research African Americans from the following categories to complete an informational banner:
Early Abolitionist and other Famous African Americans in the 19^th Century-
- Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T Washington, Ida Wells, Lewis Latimar, Martin Robinson Delany, James T. Rapier, William Wells Brown, Sojourner Truth, Madame C.J. Walker, Henry Highland Garnet, Norbert Rillieux, Dred Scott
Famous African Americans in the 20^th Century-

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Medgar Evers, Amelia Boynton, Emmett Till, Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Ruby Bridges, Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Garrett Morgan, Andrew Young Jr., Coretta Scott King, John Lewis, Daisy Bates, Huey P. Newton, Maya Angelou, Langston Huges, Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Jesse Jackson, Fannie Lou Hamer

Famous African Americans in the 20^th and 21^st Century-

Julian Bond, Gwendolyn Brooks, Alex Haley, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Michael Jordan, Denzel Washington, Muhammad Ali, Clarence Thomas, Halle Barry, Morgan Freeman, Van Jones, Ava DuVernay, Beyonce, Serena Williams, Pharrell Williams
- Black History Month Banners Rubric provided to all students along with a template to create an engaging and informative banner.
- Students are creating power point presentations regarding an African American literary figure.
Black History Month Summary of Activities
John Marshall School 20

Students chose an African American of their choice. They then wrote an informative piece about the person. They had to give all background information as well as discuss specifically what contributions the person made to African American culture.
- Students created flip grid designed to inform about the African American of their choice and their contribution to society.
- Hank Aaron tribute
- Cicely Tyson tribute
Victor Mravlag School No. 21

Students at Victor Mravlag School No. 21 celebrated Black History Month by participating in a wide range of lessons and activities. Kindergarten students viewed a Black History Month power point presentation and listened to a read aloud of “I Am Enough” by Keturah Bobo. Second grade students viewed videos on Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. and engaged in discussions about their contributions to equal rights. Third grade students viewed Black History videos from Board President Jerry Jacobs and read books about Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass. Fourth grade students learned to play the song "Amazing Grace" on the recorder. They also learned about the song’s history and its importance in the Civil Rights Movement. Fifth grade students read poems, song lyrics, and stories from African American authors and folklore during their study of figurative language. Middle school students completed Amistad curriculum activities on Jackie Robinson and Willie O’Ree – the first African Americans to participate in Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League, respectively.
William F. Halloran School 22 Black History Month Activities 2021

Third Grade-Ms. Jensen’s class will be researching and discussing civil rights through a variety of media sources. They will read aloud about the life of MLK and the civil rights movement. Students will watch a video about his life and Civil Rights and lead a class discussion about civil rights, segregation and its effect on African Americans during that time. In addition, they will watch the "I have a Dream" speech. Students will explore the Lincoln Memorial through a virtual tour and discuss why MLK may have chosen that spot to give the speech. Students will collaborate on a Discussion Board addressing Why do you think the "I Have a Dream" speech became so popular. They also will take a virtual tour and explore the MLK memorial. Additional class discussions will include thought-provoking questions such as; What do you think is the most important thing MLK accomplished? What effect does it have on your life today? On a separate discussion board, students posted an act of kindness they have done the past week. Lastly, the students will watch a video by Kid President talking about the values of MLK and being kind to others to create positive change.

Eighth Grade- Mrs. Canton-Malet’s students will create biographical brochures of prominent African Americans and present to their peers via TEAMS video. 8^th graders in LAL classes also will read articles about civil liberties, current protests and the story of Colin Kaepernick. Discussions will be conducted in whole class and recorded on TEAMS to be shared across classes.

Fifth Grade-Students in Ms. Torres’ class will explore the history, arts and culture of the Black experience in the United States through a google project. Students will explore topics of their interest and discuss with classmates in a whole group setting. In addition, students will read Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and relate it to a novel (Freedom Crossing) being read in LAL. Social Studies classes will explore Harlem Renaissance and its influence on America.

https://artsandculture.google.com/project/black-history-and-culture

Students in Mrs. Simon’s LAL classes will study and discuss many topics relevant to BHM. In addition to reading the novel Freedom Crossing, which deals with slavery and social injustice of the time, students will also read graphic novels of Fredrick Douglass, Rosa Parks and a poem about Ruby Bridges. Whole group discussions will be conducted in which students share their views on historic social injustices and relate them to current movements.

Fourth Grade-Students in Mrs. Lorenzo’s LAL classes will read a short biography of Ruby Bridges and discuss her perseverance and determination. Discussions will be in whole group and all students will share their perspective.

Second Grade-Students in Mrs. Lopez’s class created a Flipgrid where they each chose a prominent African American from a powerpoint created by our 8^th grade class. Each morning during homeroom a 2^nd grade student will read a brief biography of the person they chose.

Students in Mrs. DiGeronimo’s Visual Arts classes will be studying the works of African American artists including Jacob Lawrence and Faith Ringgold. Students will discuss their influence on the Harlem Renaissance throughout the months of January & February.

Pre-K

Students in Ms. Reid’s class will watch a brief video about Garrett Morgan and then create their own traffic signals. They will also read the book “Red Tail Dreamer” by Jerome White and draw a picture of what they would like to be when they grow up. Her students will also be watching a video of the story “Mae Among the Stars” and will create their own version of a rocket ship.

Students in Mrs. Alvarado’s class will be dressing up like famous African Americans and reciting facts they learned about each.

Throughout the month students in Mrs. Mollyk’s class will be listening to stories about famous African Americans and doing a related activity for each.

During small group time students in Mrs. Figueiredo’s class will listen to the book “Martin Luther King Jr. Day” by Margaret McNamara. As they listen to the story they will talk about the dream Dr. Martin Luther king had for a world different than his. Then the children will recall the events of the story. At the end students will draw and talk about their dream and compare with Dr. King’s Dream.

Parents will share their child’s drawing through Teams or Remind App.

Our Guidance Counselor was acknowledged and celebrated on our School 22 Facebook page and a flipgrid was created for students and staff to show their appreciation for her dedication to our school.
Nicholas Murray Butler School 23

Black History Month was celebrated in a variety of ways across all classrooms.

Teachers were asked to use a resource from CNN that provided daily biographies of notable black Americans. This was also supplemented with biographies from local figures from Elizabeth.
- Students completed research projects as well as presented via written reports and PowerPoint presentations on influential Black Americans and their contributions.
- Teachers/ students used their virtual backgrounds to celebrate via a quote or image that were researched.
- ELA classes played Kahoot games about the civil rights movement and black history events.
- Art - Students celebrated by selecting an activity to represent a black figure for example: designing a stamp design a daishiki, a quilt or a poster about a black figure or African Kings / Queens.
- Music - Students learned Negro spirituals.
Sonia Sotomayor School No. 25

Students at School No. 25 will read and discuss stories and poems written by Black writers; listen to stories by Black authors shared for World Read Aloud Day; discuss important events in Black History; watch Black History Month Flipgrids; watch and discuss videos regarding the importance/significance of Black History Month and important people in Black History; research famous Black Americans; discuss famous Black athletes who changed the sports we watch today and their current influence on social justice; create virtual collages of black individuals for whom they hold in high regard; and complete research projects on important Black Americans with a focus on the sciences.
Students will also participate in activities such as a Black History Scavenger Hunt; lessons related to the Harlem Renaissance, the Underground Railroad, the Civil Rights Movement, and many other topics related to Black History; and create PowerPoint presentations about noted figures in Black History that include pictures and biographical information such as their childhood, their family life, why they are famous, and some other interesting facts Some students have also written letters and drawn pictures that will be mailed to newly elected U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. Teachers will share quotes with their students throughout the month of February from famous people in Black history and have related discussions.

Name: Miguelina Marine

Ora Washington and Wilma Rudolph

Ora Washington Website Link --------à https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/washington-ora-mae-1898-1971/

Wilma Rudolph Website Link -------à https://wilmarudolph.com/

Ora Washington Assignment: Please list 3 facts about Ora Washington, using complete sentences, using the website link above.
1. Ora Mae Washington was the first prominent African American athleteto dominate two sports, tennisand basketball. Born on January 23, 1898, in Caroline County, Virginia, she was the daughter of James “Tommy” and Laura O. Young-Washington.
2. Washington began playing organized sports competitively when she was 25 years old. She chose to play tennis at the Germantown YWCA, at the suggestion of an instructor who was trying to console her after her sister passed away.
3. Washington won her first national tournament in 1925, and her first national championship within a year of picking up the racket. Tennis as a sport was racially segregated and thus Washington competed only against other African Americans.
Wilma Rudolph Assignment: Please list 3 facts about Wilma Rudolph, using complete sentences, using the website link above.
1. Born on June 23, 1940, Wilma Rudolph was a sickly child who had to wear a brace on her left leg.
2. Later in life, she formed the Wilma Rudolph Foundation to promote amateur athletics. The Olympic great died on November 12, 1994, following a battle with brain cancer.
3. She overcame her disabilities to compete in the 1956 Summer Olympic Games, and in 1960, she became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at a single Olympics.
Chase Gonzalez 8-311                                                                                    DeMarco, LAL & Pires, SS

Melba Patillo Beals and Elizabeth Eckford experience turmoil in their youth while struggling to stay encouraged. How do these girls or others from the Little Rock Nine remain strong and hopeful?

These girls faced great segregation just for trying to fit in! The black children in the little rock nine experienced the turmoil of going to a white school, but also kept their heads up along the way, like Melba Beals and Elizabeth Eckford. For examples such as, dealing with adversity, having the rights to go to a white school and have higher education, and praying, they got through these harsh times. Melba Pattillo Beals, Elizabeth Eckford, or others from the little rock nine remained strong and hopeful.

                When these children were young, they had to deal with great discrimination amongst all white people, especially when being the first blacks integrated into a white school. One of these kids was Carlotta Walls LaNier. LaNier states, "You have to learn how to deal with adversity, I think we all did." Here LaNier describes how adversity was familiar to them in their daily lives, and how they had to apply those thoughts to going to their new school. As LaNier mentions, "It was not an easy task, but we didn't expect It to be as it turned out."

                One of the bigger factors about the little rock nine's discrimination is that they had to right to be able to have integration. It was only until they arrived that they realized how they would be treated. It was the Brown vs. Board of Education case of 1954 that would solidify the little rocks venture through integration, but some, like the governor, Faubus, believed otherwise. The text," The Youngest of the Little Rock Nine Speaks Out About Holding onto History," states," In a related decision, the court ruled that all public schools in the nation be integrated "with all deliberate speed." Members like LaNier chose to go through with this to have that higher education, and it was also this that they thought of. So, going through the mobs of whites, the little rock nine would understand that they had the ability to get into that school, it was just unexpected for them to see how hard it would be.

                Finally, the thing that was important for most of the little rock nine to do during their integration period was to pray. Most of them applied prayers they had learned when they were younger, Like Melba Beals. In the novel," Warriors Don't Cry," one of the members of the little rock nine recalls when she was taught by her grandmother about praying to god. Melba states in the novel," I remember sitting on the dining room floor, writing letters to God in my Indian Head Tablet." Having a belief to look towards for guidance was one of the most helpful things for the little rock nine to do when holding onto hope.

                Today many people have common struggles, but for the little rock nine, they had to persevere through their struggles as people made fun of them, hurt them, and talked down to them. Through prayers, knowing how to deal with adversity, and having the right to integration and higher education, they had hope. Throughout American history, black Americans have come a long way battling segregation and having themselves integrated into the higher education they deserve. Overall, the little rock nine proved that black Americans deserve the right of integration through their means of hope.

Sofia Cunha 8-311                                                                             DeMarco, LAL & Pires, SS

Melba Patillo Beals and Elizabeth Eckford experience turmoil in their youth while struggling to stay encouraged. How do these girls or others from the Little Rock Nine remain strong and hopeful?

In a city in Arkansas called Little Rock, 9 black teenagers in 1957 wanted to defeat segregation. They went to an all-white school called Little Rock Central High School and were called horrible names, spat on, threatened, and mistreated. Somehow, they didn't let that get the best of them, and continued to have courage and strength. They kept their strength to give future generations an integrated classroom, and equal education for all. They kept their courage so they wouldn't let anyone down, even if they were pushed, threatened, or spat on. They kept on pushing forward, as this was going to be a part of history. In multiple articles and books (Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals), they do represent the strength, courage, and the cause of integrated schools.

First, how they kept their strength to give generations an integrated classroom. The recordings of that day show how horrifying it was, people yelling, "lynch her! Lynch her!" Carlotta Walls LaNier, had to endure all of those comments and threats, as she didn't have a phone to know about the plans, as the Governor called the Arkansas National Guard in hopes of not letting the kids in school. The kids had 2 first days. They suffered through a lot of insults and when they had to go to school, they went to school in a military station wagon because of the white mob. In the video titled "Little Rock Nine" by MarquetteU, the news reporter asks one of the Little Rock Nine if they believed that it was worth going through all of the pain, and they said "Yes, I do." They went through all of that to create an integrated school system.

Second, they didn't let anyone down. They didn't only do this for others, but they did it for themselves as well. In the article "The Youngest Of The Little Rock Nine Speaks Out About Holding Onto History" Carlotta Walls LaNier talks about how going to the white high school was better since it had good education. I quote, "We had great teachers. They just didn't have what was equal to what was over at Little Rock Central High School," LaNier says. Carlotta also speaks up about how kids should know about the school integration history. They all could've been killed, but they persevered for other generations.

Lastly, they kept pushing forward to create history. Each one of them has their own stories about what they went through, it brings in more history. They might have brought integration in schools, but they also carry the history of the mistreatment from white people. Like the threats of lynching, the beatings, the names, etc. The Little Rock Nine wasn't even that long ago either, only 64 years ago. It took such a long time for integration to happen, and it only just happened. We should be lucky that the Little Rock Nine did not stop going to school, or we wouldn't have been integrated. The Little Rock Nine was a very smart group of people, like in Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo talks about how she was just four when she learnt how to read, write, and do her multiplication up to 10. These are a very special group of people that got to carry this special piece of United States history.

Little Rock, Arkansas became a great piece of history of integration. 9 brave students endured the names, the mistreatment, and so much more, just so future generations would be able to be in a classroom together and not get picked on for their skin color. Although people are still picked on for their skin color/race, we have made quite progress from our racial past. Remember, it took awhile for segregated places to become integrated. Our racial past of mistreatment given to black people was not long ago. We have made improvement, but don't forget about the people (and what they went through) that brought us here, like the ones that helped bring all students together to have a chance at succeeding and having a good education.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

DAILY QUOTES
1. “Whatever we believe about ourselves and our ability comes true for us.” —Susan L. Taylor, journalist
2. “Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.”
  —Dr. Mae Jemison, first African-American female astronaut
3. “The time is always right to do what is right.”
  —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
4. “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”—Booker T. Washington
5. “We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort.”—Jesse Owens, world record-setting Olympic athlete
6. “Just don’t give up what you’re trying to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” —Ella Fitzgerald
7. “I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” —Michael Jordan
8. “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” —Barack Obama
9. “Diversity is not about how we differ. Diversity is about embracing one another’s uniqueness.” —Ola Joseph
- “One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don’t invest any energy in them, because I know who I am.” —Michelle Obama
- “I am lucky that whatever fear I have inside me, my desire to win is always stronger.” —Serena Williams
- “I’m hungry for knowledge. The whole thing is to learn every day, to get brighter and brighter. That’s what this world is about. You look at someone like Gandhi, and he glowed. Martin Luther King glowed. Muhammad Ali glows. I think that’s from being bright all the time, and trying to be brighter.” —Jay-Z
- “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” —Maya Angelou
- “We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It’s our basic human right.” —Aretha Franklin
- “Whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you’ll find that when you’re free . . . your true self comes out.” —Tina Turner
- “If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.” —Toni Morrison
- “Life has two rules: number 1, never quit! Number 2, always remember rule number one.” —Duke Ellington
- “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” —Alice Walker
1. “I need to see my own beauty and to continue to be reminded that I am enough, that I am worthy of love without effort, that I am beautiful, that the texture of my hair and that the shape of my curves, the size of my lips, the color of my skin, and the feelings that I have are all worthy and okay.” —Tracee Ellis Ross
- “I had to make my own living and my own opportunity. But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them.” —Madam C.J. Walker
Dr. Antonia Pantoja School 27
- Black History Month Fun Facts for Morning Announcements “DID YOU KNOW..?” or “ON THIS DAY…" Students and teachers brainstormed ideas and decide what to plan to present (by grade level). A reader/presenter announced the fun fact to the entire school.
- T-Shirt Designing Contest- Open to all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Students submitted an original design that must fit on the provided template. The theme for the design was: Racial Equality, Diversity, and/or Social Justice. The design must contain Dr. Antonia Pantoja School 27. The winner of the contest received a free T-Shirt and a gift card.
- Students researched African American musicians, then created PowerPoint presentation and come up with their own songs in their groups.
- Students watched a video on Garrett Morgan's life and his many contributions. As an Art and Literacy project, they will reproduce the modern traffic light and write the corresponding action words (Stop, Slow, Go).
- Students listened to a book written about various African American musicians.
- Students watched a video about Historic Heroes and completed a directed drawing of each historical figure. Student added important facts that they learned to their drawings and shared their creations in breakout rooms.
Juan Pablo Duarte – José Julián Martí School No. 28

With the help of their teachers, students will choose a Black American that they will represent in a living museum. Students will conduct research and record a video of themselves dressed as that person and speaking from a first-person account as if they are the figure they are researching. They will share things such as the reason they are a notable figure and some rarely known facts about themselves. The contributions of students from throughout the school will create the living museum.
- Black History Month 2021 Calendar
- Black History Quotes
- Elizabeth Library
Dr. Albert Einstein Academy School No. 29

Students at School No. 29 will participate in an assortment of grade-level lessons and activities related to Black History throughout the month of February, for which they will ultimately produce various presentations, projects, essays, and drawings that will be shared at the conclusion of the month.

Dr. Albert Einstein celebrated Black History Month by learning about the many important African American influencers and contributors through classroom discussions, student research, and art projects. Specifically, every morning our autism class highlighted a different person for black history month, watched a video and had students share something at home from any of the inventors, such as George Washington Carver who invented peanut butter, and Elijah McCoy who invented a lubrication system for trains and students displayed toy trains, as an example. First graders engaged in an ‘I Have A Dream’ writing on what they dream would make our world a better place. Our third grade class did research and biography presentations and similarly, second graders watched several YouTube biographies and provided with a list of several Black History Influential Leaders. Students chose 5 leaders and completed Power Points and had the opportunity to present their projects in class. Elementary art classes celebrated the art and life of Painter/artist Jean Michel Basquiat and students created lively self-portraits using symbolism and expressive lines and shapes to emulate Basquiat's style .
Chessie Dentley Roberts Academy School No. 30

Chessie Dentley Roberts Academy celebrated Black History Month with a multitude of school wide activities, art, music, social studies, language arts, physical education, and mathematics. Today, the height of our celebrations was featuring Chessie Dentley Roberts who read “ Cool Cuts” by Mechal Renee Roe. Mrs. Roberts read to our kindergarten, first grade, and special education classes. She was joined by her daughter Adrian Byrd. She shared her experiences with former President Obama and Michelle, Mary Bethune- Cookman, Leontyne Price, and Judith Jameson. These people were trailblazers just like Chessie.

School No. 30 students are learning age appropriate knowledge about a different African American historical each day during the month of February. Students will also participate in various lessons and activities related to Black History that are incorporated from the Amistad curriculum such as learning about the fight to free enslaved African Americans during the Civil War, abolitionists such as Harriet Tubman, the Emancipation Proclamation, the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, and the advancements of African Americans from the Civil War era to the present day. Various media, technology tools, and reading comprehension websites such as Readworks.org and Ducksters are being used to further aid their understanding.

Music students will be discussing African American musicians and their influence on popular music. The Music Department will be discussing African American musicians and their influence on popular music. Band students will be focusing on Jazz history for black history month, with lessons including bios of famous African American musicians, culturally historic references, videos performances, its influence on today's music, and body percussion exercises.

Good afternoon,

Excited to share these incredible poems my students wrote with regards to freedom and Black History Month.

Sincerely,

Miss Petrillo

Emely_Herrera_2021-02-12_Black_History_Month_Poem

Erick_Hernandez_2021

Yasmin_Perez_2021-02-12_Freedom_Poem

The Music Department will be discussing African American musicians and their influence on popular music. Band student I will be focusing on Jazz history for black history month. The lessons will include bios of famous African American musicians, culturally historic references, videos performances, it's influence on today's music, and body percussion exercises.

Google Slides:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1iwjnwl82g5l6TzQ2tdsoCRCuLTYQJZgG_BSe-j52KEk/edit?usp=sharing

Mrs. Grahl MLK JR. Lesson School 30
Frances C. Smith Early Childhood Center School No. 50

Among the activities planned for Black History Month at School No. 50 are:
- Teachers will be reading stories and poems written by African American authors and stories about African American people in sports, politics, and music
- Students will be shown pictures of African American inventors and their inventions
- Students will make 3D traffic lights that were created by an African American inventor
- Students will listen to music by the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ray Charles
- DAP John Coltrane Lesson – students will create homemade saxophones
- Students will learn about famous African American artists
We became Guitar Inventors like Robert F. Flemming Jr.!

In room 22/24

Ms. Harris and Mrs. Hernandez

last week I introduced two black musicians to the kids. Dizzy Gillespie and Stevie Wonder. We created instruments with recycled materials around the house. Then put on a class virtual concert for our parents. It was fun and the children loved it. This week I am introducing black inventors to the children. Today we talked about George Crum. Watched and listened to the story on YouTube. Then created our own flavor potato. See attachments

Ms.Harris
Donald Stewart Early Childhood Center School No. 51

Activities taking place at School No. 51 for Black History Month include:
- Students learning about the students about the Blues (a music genre with roots in African musical traditions originated by African-Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s) and the students will be able to create their own with the help of the teacher
- A video about famous African-descent blacks that have made an impact on our society and the world created by two teachers that will be shared with other teachers, parents, and students, which will include pictures of students dressed as the famous black figures that have made the contributions
- Teachers incorporating lessons about famous and influential black people into math, reading, social studies, science, music, and art instruction
- Creation of a video that will include students’ work
DR. Martin Luther King JR. School No. 52

Black History Month Activities
- Our kick-off ---January 15^th
Remembering the Life & Works of Dr. Martin Luther King, the children will learn about our school’s namesake: stories will be read & singing of songs about diversity, love, acceptance, & respect.
- Each Quad researched and learned about an Outstanding African American figure from the following areas:
Art, Athletic, History, Inventor & Science

The classes learned about the historical relevance of the individuals and how they have impacted American history –individual / classroom posters were designed and created.
- All students also celebrated Black History Month by reading stories and singing songs about overcoming adversity and the importance of equality among races. Sample story books: I am Dr. MLK, I am Harriet Tubman, I am Rosa Parks,
Below samples of virtual classroom activities…
Admiral William F. Halsey Jr. Health and Public Safety Academy

Harmony Awards 2021

Below are the Black History Month activities at Halsey this month:
- In the month of February, Halsey Academy highlighted notable African Americans on a daily basis in our Social Studies / History classes and in other classes on a weekly basis
- Students were able to virtually visit a Black History museum in their virtual classes where they learned about advocates of Black History as well as movements in Black History
- Additionally, many staff members volunteered to be our “celebrity announcers” by creating videos to highlight notable African Americans, their contributions, and their impactful quotes. These Staff videos were shared on a regular basis throughout the month, and they were created for and shared with all students and Staff to increase awareness of and celebrate Black History month.
Elizabeth High School- Frank J Cicarell: Black History Month Activities:

Physical Education

At Elizabeth High School- FJC the Physical Education and Health department has integrated the AMISTAD curriculum into their lessons, instead of following this more obvious strategy, we took a more complex challenge. The Amistad goal is to change the landscape for the study of United States and history by placing Africans and African Americans at the center of the narrative as agents rather than as bystanders or victims who live on the margins of the United States and the world. Our mandate has shifted from one of inclusion to one of infusion

Our approach in Physical Education is to provide sports education history while teaching awareness of some of the famous athletes during Black History Month. The Amistad Physical Education lessons help to teach the students about the great men and women who have made important contributions to our sports world and country, which provide us the quality of entertainment and excitement in life that we experience today.

Some lessons taught by the Physical Education teachers at FJC include:

Jackie Robinson lesson: This lesson targets SEL, empathy, respect, civil rights, racism, equity, and Amistad compassion. Students read articles and create a pop quiz for other students.

1968 Olympics: Students reenact the 1968 Olympics where an Olympic boycott by African American athletes began to foment on the campus of San Jose State University, where sociologist Harry Edwards descried the accomplishments of Black athletes amidst wider social inequity: “What value is it to a black man to win a medal if he returns to a hell in Harlem?” Lee Evans, John Carlos, and Tommie Smith – all members of the SJSU track team – were among the most vocal of the boycott’s supporters. They decided not to boycott the games, and instead used their opportunity atop the Olympic podium to make a poignant political statement. As the US national anthem played, both men averted their gaze from the rising American flag and raised their gloved fists in the air – a lasting protest against abysmal human rights conditions in the US and beyond.

Students also film their reactions to the event on flipgrid.

NBA 2020 Boycott: A panel of students are created in a fishbowl style activity where they share their feelings about the horrific Jacob Blake event that triggered an NBA boycott in 2020

African American Studies:

Students will be creating flipgrid videos on the Impact of Black Authors on today’s culture as well as short biographies about the authors.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings Maya Angelou

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

https://youtu.be/_8Zgu2hrs2k

Economics:

Students will be watching PBS BOSS: THE BLACK EXPERIENCE IN BUSINESS

Analyzing the importance of African American entrepreneurship in the early days of American Society and the impact of African American consumerism on the economy.

English Honors:

Students attended a virtual field trip with Flip Grid. Students listened to Sharon Robinson, daughter of Jackie Robinson, talk about activism and the role her father played in baseball. Students will be able to make connections to the current reading

Fences.

Drawing and Painting:

Draw/Paint 1 has a different art quote by a black artist everyday in February.

Draw/Paint 2 Inspired by black artists students will be creating portraits in the style of Faith Ringgold’s quilt paintings.

CLUBS:

Afro-American Society Club:

Class of 2022: A reading of the poem I Rise by Maya Angelou
J. Christian Bollwage Academy of Finance No.90

Virtual Black History Month Museum with FlipGrid Video exit slip included:
- Students read and discussed Amanda Gorman’s Poetry
- Trivia Fridays- Students received trivia questions about Black Americans in history
- Researched the Harlem Renaissance and Great Migration through art, poetry and other stories
- Read Morgan Freeman’s Views on Black History Month
- Created African American fact sheets
- Studied African American artists and their contributions
BLACK/AFRICAN HISTORY MONTH ACTIVITIES Theme: The Black Family, Leadership and Service

Art: Students will learn about many African American artists and their contribution to contemporary art in the United States and abroad, researching their lives, art process and art styles. In addition, they will take part in an in-depth study of the work of Faith Ringgold, learning about her life, art process, and art.

Thomas Edison Career & Technical Education Academy

Thomas Edison Career & Technical Education Academy: Black History Month Activities:

Graphic Print: Students selected an African American male or female whom through their actions or words have made a positive difference in today's world. Students wrote a brief biography and indicated their view on the positive impact they have made.

Visual Arts: Students completed an African American artist research project and presented their findings in class with a PowerPoint and personal art response to the work created by the historical artist of their choice.

Visual Arts: Students created a digital collage based on the black American artist Romare Bearden.

Visual Arts: Every Friday all art classes will high light a black artist and discuss their works in class. Artists highlighted Jacob Lawrence, Jean Michel Basquiat, Augsta Savage, Kara Walker

Black History Month PE Activity: Students will be making a virtual poster showcasing an African American athlete of their choice with a brief story about the athlete and their accomplishments in both their sport and their community.

English: Black History Month Daily Writing Prompt – Students studied the work of Langston Hughes and analyzed “Harlem A Dream Deferred.”

Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy

Morning announcements
- Senior Kayly Hernandez has led the school in a daily announcement via social media about Black History Month. Announcements have included inspirational messages, little known facts, and biographical sketches of African Americans from throughout history.
In recognition of Black History Month, theatre students at Jefferson Arts have conducted an in-depth study of the works of August Wilson—often referred to as "theater's poet of Black America."
- Students have studied and virtually produced THE PIANO LESSON and SEVEN GUITARS. As part of these performances, students created virtual sets using background images on MS Teams and performed each play for audiences of performing arts students. Images attached.