Celebrates Black History
Teacher Resources
Scientist Highlight: Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett
We learn about Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett and her work on researching the Corona Virus.
(Daily Lesson)
Lessons
Djembe Drum
Mr. Bongo shares the music and history of the djembe drum from West Africa.
Books into Wings
The song is about Bessie Coleman (First African American Woman Pilot), Ron McNair (Second African American Astronaut), and Mae Jamison (First African American Woman Astronaut).
The Termite Lady
This is a biographical blues song about a African American woman scientist.
Music
The Harlem Renaissance
The song is about The Harlem Renaissance, a period in history when African American visual, literary, and performing art thrived in Harlem, New York and became well known around the globe.
Las Vidas Negras Importan
Ms. Peña-Govea and her family sing a song about acting in solidarity with and expressing appreciation for Black lives. Ms. Peña-Govea y su familia cantan sobre la solidaridad y el aprecio por las vidas negras. En Espanol.
Music
Her Math that Got Us To The Moon
This song tells the little told story of Katherine Johnson, an African American mathematician who got the first man on the moon.
I Really Want to See You, Grandma
Yumi and her grandmother have the same great idea: They want to see each other. So they each head out to do just that, only to completely miss each other along the way!
Benjamin the Brave: A Story About Anxiety
Author Ameshia Arthur reading part of book “Benjamin the Brave: A Story About Anxiety”
Get Up, Stand Up
Dr. Matthews takes a minute to talk about a couple of events that happened in our country last week. Then he reads Get Up, Stand Up by Cedella Marley. In this anti-bullying story, a group of kids overcome their problems by working together and supporting each other.
Read Alouds
Reading Beauty
When a fairy's curse—a deathlike sleep via paper cut—threatens to make her kingdom barren of books, it's up to space princess Lex to break the spell and bring books back to her people.
Read Alouds
Hermanito
Read along as Mateo and Amaya laugh, share, and play with their little brother, Santiago. Hermanito teaches children the values of teamwork, responsibility and love in an environment filled with positive imagery from a lovely Afro-Latinx family.
What Would The World Be Without Black People?
This book illustrates the importance of Black culture and Black history in a kid-friendly way. It takes children on an immersive journey through history, and highlights several historical contributions from Black people. 2/26/2021
Something Beautiful
A little girl longs to see beyond the scary sights on the sidewalk and the angry scribbling in the halls of her building. When her teacher writes the word beautiful on the blackboard, the girl decides to look for something beautiful in her neighborhood. Seesaw activity
Read Alouds
Papa, Do You Love Me?
Set in Africa and featuring the Maasai culture, the beautiful watercolor illustrations, lyrical text, and enduring message are sure to make this another instant classic.
My Friend Earth
Our friend Earth does so many wonderful things! She tends to animals large and small. She pours down summer rain and autumn leaves. She sprinkles whisper-white snow and protects the tiny seeds waiting for spring.
Sofa Warrior Dance and the Manding Empire
Mr. Bongo tells a story about Sundjata Keita, the lion king of the Manding Empire. We dance "Sofa" a warrior dance from Guinea. (Movement)
Playing Music and Dancing at Home
The Singh Sidibe Family shares how they have been dancing and playing music from their countries of origin.
How do crabs move?
Mr. Bongo and Ms. Joti explore where crabs live and how they move. Mr. Bongo recounts his experiences as a child in Guinea, West Africa, catching crabs in the mangrove next to his house.
Movement
Fula Fare: A Dance and Rhythm of the Nomadic People of Guinea, West Africa
Mr. Bongo tells us about the nomadic Fulani people of Africa and we learn Fula Fare, one of the dances of the Fulani people. Seesaw activity
The Seeds of Hip Hop
We celebrate Black History every day through the movement and traditions that have been passed down. Journey with Ms. Sammay to the Bronx of NYC in the 1970s and learn how the origins of Hip Hop came from a habitat that wasn't meeting the needs of its inhabitants.
Alice Sheppard: My Hero, Alice
Ms. Maura introduces students to multiracial Black disables dancer, choreographer, and activist Alice Sheppard, and explores the attributes of a hero.
Movement
African American Arts & Culture Complex
Community Center Spotlight! Check out the Fillmore's African American Arts & Culture Center and see what historic Black artists you can notice on the building.
Family Trees
Virginia Marshall shares her family tree in celebration of this year’s Black History Month theme: Celebrating the Diversity of Our Families (Community Voices)
Community
Did you know?
Kids become confident readers when they practice reading lots of short words.
Community
Black History in Space!
Sister Ashia, Mansa, and Menelik discuss the topic of space in celebration of Black history, along with one of their favorite books, Hidden Figures.
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