Black History Month Activities Subject

Memo

Intradistrict

To: Board members, Rick Chandler

From: Jonathan Phipps, superintendent

Through: Black History Month activities Subject:

Date: February 18, 2020

February is devoted district-wide to the study of local, national and international black achiev- ers. Schools have a variety of activities planned, including

A.R. Rucker Middle Theme: Honoring the Past & Inspiring the Future The celebration of Black History month with Empowerment Week: • Empowerment Week: February 3rd-7th: – Feb. 3rd- Rucker Wear Day(If you wear Rucker wear you can wear jeans Feb. 5th- Living Your Legacy Day(Dress for the Career You Want/ You CAN NOT wear any jeans on this day.) – Feb. 5th- Living Your Legacy Day(Dress for the Career You Want/ You CAN NOT wear any jeans on this day.) – Feb. 7th- Historically Black College & University(HBCU) or College Day(Wear your favorite HBCU or college gear/ If you wear HBCU or college gear you can wear jeans. They can not have holes above the knee.) • Black History Month Bingo/Trivia: At the beginning of the literacy block each day the teacher reads the question of the day. If the class has the answer on their card then they cover that block. The first class to get bingo receives a prize. • Serving Up Black History: Lunch Time Activities- Once during the month, speakers from the community come in during each lunch block & share their story of entrepreneurship as well as encourage the students to work hard academically. Additional days during the month where display tables are set up that focus on Kente cloth making and African-American Poets. On February 21st, Jazz In The Cafe has a live saxophonist perform at the 6th-grade lunch block. Additional Explanation of the Serving Up Black History activities: – The first event takes place on the 10th where an African-American business owner shares his story with students. After the students are served & seated, the speaker talks (briefly) about his path to entrepreneurship. Once he is finished, students & teachers may ask questions. If the speaker has pamphlets or handouts to share, interested individuals can pick one up. – The second activity is a poetry reading on the 14th. Students & teachers have an opportunity to 2020 Black History Month Activities – Page 2

share their poetry (on any topic). A table is also set up with books of poetry written by African- American poets. – The third event takes place on the 17th & is another African-American business owner sharing their story of entrepreneurship. – The fourth event takes place on the 21st, where Jazz plays during each lunch block. Mr. Thrower plays his saxophone during the 6th-grade lunch block. • Living Museum: Feb. 25th- During Literacy block students are divided into groups of five and choose from a list of famous African-American history makers to research and learn more about who the individual was and their impact on the world. A representative from the group memorizes important details about their history maker and comes in on the 25th either dressed like the individual or in professional dress ready to present. Students present by theme in designated areas of the building. Exploratory teachers assist. • Literacy: Change Makers- On Feb. 14th(8:20 am-8:50 am) Each group welcomes a speaker, from the greater Lancaster community, that has made & continues to make an impact on our community. Each speaker is assigned to one of our 26 literacy classes where they have an opportunity to share their story. • Black History Celebration: Honoring the Past & Inspiring the Future(28th 9:00-10:30) • The opening activities consist of Young Men of Rucker presentation, African Drumming by the Rucker Band students, African Dance by the Rucker Royal Rams Step Team and Lancaster County’s very own, Conquerors choir, presenting Ride On King Jesus. • Welcome-Black History Month Member • What is Black History Month Poem- Student • Step On Stage Theatrical Presentation • Rucker Student Praise Dancers- Rise Up by Andra Day • Rucker Student & Staff Combined Choir • Lyrical Dance(IAM Dance Company of Lancaster) • The Life & Legacy of Dr. Douglas Rucker Digital Presentation & Ram Empowerment Award • Student Solo • Remarks(Admin) • A.R. Rucker Annual Faculty Staff Soul Food Dinner – Additional Activities: – Individual classes, students read informational text about and novels written by African-Americans. –Students create projects about prominent African-Americans. – Each homeroom throughout the school chooses an African-American history maker or Lancaster County Community Changer to display on their door as part of a decorating contest.

Andrew Jackson High • Biology 2- Students research a black biologist and their contributions to society 2020 Black History Month Activities – Page 3

• US History- A prominent African American is highlighted daily along with a significant event from Black History. • AP US History and US History- We delve into topics including Blacks battle Jim Crow in the South, Plessy vs. Ferguson and its impact, WEB DuBois & Booker T. Washington on Segregation, The Great Migration of WWI-1920s, and the Harlem Renaissance • Band- Students learn an African piece of music that is performed at the spring concert • Economics- Students listen to a portion of MLK's final sermon before he was assassinated, which took place at Washington Cathedral. The portion the students listen to deals with obstacles black Americans deal with in getting out of poverty. The portion is called "bootstraps". MLK runs through a good bit of American history to illustrate his point, but his final quote is... “It’s all right to tell a man to lift himself by his own bootstraps, but it is cruel jest to say to a bootless man that he ought to lift himself by his own bootstraps.” Also, students read and discuss the editorial "Case for Reparations" by Ta-Nehisi Coates. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/ the-case-for-reparations/361631/ • English 4- Students study Martin Luther King Jr.'s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in relation to MLK Day and Black History Month. • English 3- Students watch video clips from Discovery Education entitled Black History: Analyze Historical Figures and Civil Rights. The topics include: Slave Trade, The Underground Railroad, Abolition, Emancipation Proclamation, and the Civil Rights Movement. There are writing exercises, reflection, and group work. • Child Development- Students research an influential person daily from inventors to athletes. • Adaptive Life Skills- Students make individual scrapbooks about different influential African Americans in life skills history/science class. They read a novel in life skills English class by Sharon Draper called “Stella by Starlight” with it's setting being close to home in North Carolina. Also a former graduate of Andrew Jackson, BJ Harris, the author of Fearfully & Wonderfully Made Hair visits and reads her book to the class. • Biology 1- Students talk about Henrietta Lacks and watch the movie, “The Immortal Life of Henri- etta Lacks”, which is a real-life story based on a book of the same name. The book and film explain how her cancer cells were taken from her in 1951 and studied, which led to unprecedented medical breakthroughs. Her cells changed countless lives and the face of medicine forever. Her HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, and more. However, her cells were taken without her knowledge or consent. The medical industry made millions from studying her cells. Her family later found out which led them to researching and asking many questions to find out more about her life and where her cells are today. This book/movie talks about ethics, race and medicine. • Chorus- Students research famous musicians and their contribution to the development of music. Students create flyers about their artist and display them on the bulletin board in the lobby. • Algebra 1- Students look at the achievements of Black American mathematicians. As we look at real-world applications in lessons, The class discusses where they see themselves contributing to the world in the future. Students pick a black mathematician to write a resume for as if he/she were interviewing to teach here. • English 2- Examining discrimination via Brown Eyes/Blues Eyes experiment 2020 Black History Month Activities – Page 4 https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/class-divided/ Students watch the video of the experiment and how the teachers used purposeful and targeted methods of discrimination to demonstrate the cruelty that results. There is a handout for answering and discussing the ramifications and how we can learn from the lessons described by the students. • Biology 1- Students highlight diversity in science. They also have some selected readings and answer questions about the reading. Neil Tyson features heavily in discussions too. • Art- The week of February 10th through 14th, students study the African American artist, Alma Thomas as part of our shape and color unit. Brooklyn Springs Elementary • Throughout the month, music attributed to Black history is played in the hallways. • Morning announcements feature famous South Carolinian African Americans during the month of February. • A Black History PTO musical program is presented on February 27 at 6 p.m. The program features an All Girl Revue entitled "Ladies First". The program is presented to students on February 28. • 4K students listen, explore and illustrate books about African American culture. Students learn about famous African Americans: Martin Luther King, Jr., George Washington Carver, Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges and President Barack Obama. Students learn how these African Americans’ contributions to history continue to influence our lives today. Students also identify and discuss some of their character traits such as kindness, honesty, perseverance and integrity. We discuss how these character traits relate to some of our 7 Habits: Be Proactive, Think Win-Win, Synergize, Seek First to Understand, Then Be Understood. Students make portraits of each person. The portraits are displayed in our school. • Kindergarten students learn about Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr. and other African-American leaders in history like Barack Obama, George Washington Carver, and Jackie Robinson. Students create posters, illustrations and writings about the leaders they learn about throughout station time in the month of February. • Third grade students research a famous African American South Carolinian during February to be presented in the form of a wax museum. • Fourth grade students have writing activities, participate in interactive read-alouds and focus on African Americans in the American Revolution. • 21st Century Afterschool Program - Students research a famous black American and create a tech- nology presentation. Discovery School • Throughout the month of February and in conjunction with the upcoming Power of One Festival, students study influential African Americans.

Erwin Elementary • Kindergarten students learn about several African Americans and their contributions. Students make crafts and other activities pertaining to each one. 2020 Black History Month Activities – Page 5

• First grade students read stories about famous African Americans and make a book or do a craft related to each person. • Second grade students teach/discuss a famous African American every day with a lesson and video. Students complete a project at home on a famous African American. • Third grade students have daily read-alouds and videos about important African Americans • Fourth grade students research and create pennant reports on influential African American heroes and Feb. 27 Black History Musical program for parents. • Fifth grade students research project on famous African American Scientists and Inventors. Indian Land Elementary • Kindergarten students research famous African American figures. Examples include: Jackie Rob- inson, Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman. • First grade students learn about Ruby Bridges, George Washington Carver, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson and Harriet Tubman through reading, writing and video. • Second grade students hear and read stories of African American Heroes during Language Arts time. These heroes include: Ruby Bridges, Harriett Tubman, Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. To extend this study, some classes may research and write reports on new learning. • Third grade students read and research famous African Americans. Students write a report and create a display of their reports. • Fourth grade students learn about highlighted figures in African American history. Students also hear read-alouds, read quotes and practice comprehension with reading passages and text-dependent analysis (TDA) writing. • Fifth grade students learn about the Jazz Age, the Harlem Renaissance and the contributions of African Americans at this time. Students are immersed in this time period by listening to Jazz music and looking at art and poetry created by African Americans. Students also read stories about famous African Americans throughout US History. Kershaw Elementary • 4k students use read alouds and watch videos to learn about famous African Americans. Students draw pictures to label and do other art activities to show what they have learned. • Speech students play Black History BINGO and Chipper Chat with famous African Americans. • EAGLE students highlight the contributions made by African-Americans and discover David Drake and George Washington Carver. David Drake, or “Dave the Potter,” created pottery while he was a slave. He signed his pieces and often wrote short poems or rhyming couplets on them. His poetry reflected any number of themes: the size or use of the vessel, biblical teachings, or questions related to family members who had been bought and sold. He was from Edgefield, South Carolina. The contributions to science made by George Washington Carver are extensive. EAGLE students learn about this American agricultural scientist and inventor's contributions, who actively promoted alternative crops to cotton and methods to prevent soil depletion. He was the most prominent black scientist of the early 20th century. 2020 Black History Month Activities – Page 6

• Kindergarten students in Mrs. Croxton’s class learn about George Washington Carver. He was known as, “The Plant Doctor.” and was a master inventor. The students explore how his great work influences everyday life today. Other kindergarten classes draw portraits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. after they read Martin's Big Words. Classes decorate Dr. King's big words: love, peace, and kindness to display in the hall. Students also complete a friendship ring with handprints, celebrating everyone's uniqueness and how even though everyone is different, they are the same and should love each other. Students study great African Americans and complete activities highlighting their accomplishments. • Second grade students study historical African Americans who have an impact on our country. Students participate in activities, research projects, writing projects and creating books. • Morning show and announcements highlight one famous African American each day of the month. Lancaster High • Unsung Heroes - Every Tuesday and Thursday, short biographies about local individuals read during morning announcements. There are weekly contests for students to nominate their own Unsung Hero. Winners are announced on Fridays during morning announcements. • February 7th – door decorating contest. Winning teacher receives $175 to use towards classroom supplies. • Courtyard Activities during lunches on Fridays. • February 7th – I have a Dream Banner Project. Students are encouraged to write down their dreams on the banner that is displayed all month long. • February 14th – Games in the Courtyard • February 21st – Music in the Courtyard (Motown) • February 28th – Staff Step Show • February 18th – Poetry Slam Competition during all 3 lunches. There are 20 spaces available per lunch block. Students are to sign up in the Media Center. • February 21st – Morris College & LHS Singers present a Gospel Concert during 4th block. Teach- ers must sign up if they wish for their class to attend. First come, first served. • February 25th – HBCU representatives present during lunch blocks. • February 26th – Soul Food Luncheon/Staff Bake-Off Competition. Winner receives $175 to use towards classroom supplies. • February 28th – (tentatively) Black History play during 2nd block. Teachers must sign up if they wish for their class to attend. First come, first served. McDonald Green Elementary • Kindergarten students are introduced to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks in read alouds, using Brain Pop and writing activities (specifically I have a dream writing). Students also highlight African-American authors, inventors and books. Students create an African-American inventors coloring book. • First grade Students read and discuss children’s books - “Martin’s Big Words”, “My Brother Mar- tin”, “Let’s Read about MLK”, “Let’s Read about Rosa Parks”, “Let’s Read about Ruby Bridges.” 2020 Black History Month Activities – Page 7

Websites that are used with lessons Brain Pop Jr- GW Carver, Brain Pop Jr- MLK, Brain Pop Jr- Rosa Parks, Brain Pop Jr- Harriet Tubman, Ruby Bridges. Class discussions are held on how to “Be Like Martin” and peace. Students complete foldable books and a timeline about Rosa Parks. Students have the opportunity to select Jackie Robinson or Ruby Bridges to write an informational story. • Second grade students research different African Americans who have made major contributions to history and society. People include artists, musicians, civil rights activists, athletes, etc. Students complete a research writing assignment that combines nonfiction writing standards as well as research standards. Students focus on one person per day over a two-week period. Students are also be exposed to other contributors through different read alouds daily. • Third grade students read books and research information on Marian Anderson, Trombone Shorty, and MLK. Students compile information and complete an essay using their research. • Fourth grade students complete Chromebook activities on Ruby Bridges and Martin Luther King (Brain Pop Video and lesson quiz-Martin Luther King, Readworks-Read passage on MLK and complete comprehension questions). • Fifth grade Social Studies studetns focus on the Harlem Renaissance. During literacy instruction texts are introduced including: Civil Rights on a City Bus and The Tale of Segregation. Students discuss Martin Luther King Jr. and complete activities associated with the Civil Rights Movement.

North Elementary • PRE-K students learn about and read stories written by Ezra Jack Keats. Students learn about famous African Americans from the past and present and how they have changed or influenced American culture. These people include: Martin Luther King, Jr., George Washington Carver, Rosa Parks, Dr. Mae Jemison, Harriet Tubman, Jackie Robinson, Michael Jordan, Rosa Parks and Garrett Morgan. Students watch videos, read books and make crafts that support their study. • Kindergarten students research and share their family projects about famous African Americans and follow up through writing and coloring pictures. Students and their families choose which American figure they would like to research. Teachers read stories about diversity and stories about famous African Americans throughout the month of February. • All first grade classes research an influential African American and create a Chatter Pix presentation. Each class shares their presentations with the rest of the grade level. Students participate in interactive read-alouds throughout the month about famous African Americans and themes of diversity. Storyteller, Donna White, presents a reader’s theater with the students. • Second grade students research, read and write about famous black Americans, including Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, Barack Obama and George Washington Carver. They discuss how these Americans helped change our world. With their families, students identify their favorite African American and create a poster to share with the class about their contributions to the world. • Third grade students create a Biography Box about an African American historical figure. They invent a cereal box based on the person they researched. Students cover an empty cereal box with white or light-colored paper. There are specific guidelines for each side of the box including the following: 2020 Black History Month Activities – Page 8

Front: Write the name of your cereal and draw or print a picture of the person you researched. Students make the cover look appealing and fun. Back: Design a game that is based on the historical figure. It can be a puzzle, a word game, or any other fun activity that might be found on the back of a cereal box. Right Side: Under the heading “Ingredients,” list 5 character traits about the person and write a sentence about each one. Left Side: Write a summary about the historical figure. • Fourth grade students research and participate in a web quest on famous African Americans. Stu- dents create and publish an online flyer about the person who interests them most. The flyers are shared on Google with their teachers and peers. • Fifth grade students research famous black Americans and participate in a “Wax Museum” on Friday, February 28, 2020. Students dress as the person they have researched and museums are staged in several locations throughout the school for other grade levels and guests to visit. • Moderate Disabilities Students read several multi-cultural books throughout the month. (“Amazing Grace” by Mary Hoffman, “The Other Side” by Jacqueline Woodson, “Those Shoes” by Maribeth Boelts, “Mr. Lincoln’s Way” by Patricia Pollaco, “The Colors of Us” by Karen Katz, “Freedom Summer” by Deborah Wiles, “I Love My Hair” by Natasha Anatasia Tarpley, “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt De La Pena, and “A Chair for My Mother” by Vera Williams). Students participate in activities that help them better understand that while we may all look different on the outside, we are all the same on the inside. One way we do this is with a brown egg and a white egg. Students observe the outside color of the egg and observe as we crack the egg noticing that the inside is the same, just like people. They also participate in another activity with the student's handprints and the poem “With my Own Two Hands.” Students listen to music and watch videos about African American Culture. • Students in music begin a unit on Jazz and studys the Harlem Renaissance. Songs from the website Gullah.Net will be used as examples of African-American call-and-response, Blues, Ring Shout and Code Songs. 4K and K students work on African American music stemming from the Meeting House, Coded Message Songs, and The Blues. First and second graders sing African American Play Songs and Game Songs. Third and fourth graders experience music dating Pre-Civil War and introduced to African instruments including talking drums and djembes. Fifth grade continues to work on music for The Charlotte Symphony performance in late March and study music popular during the Harlem Renaissance. • Art students learn about African Kente Cloth from Ghana. Students print "paper fabrics" with pat- terns and weave them with colored paper to make a piece of Kente Cloth. These are displayed in the hallway to celebrate Black History Month. • Media classes use literature including “Back of the Bus” about Rosa Parks, “Testing the Ice” about Jackie Robinson, “The Hallelujah Flight” about the first African American, James Banning Thomas Allen, to fly across the US. Students will also use the text, “A Flower is a Weed” about George Washington Carver. • Black History facts are shared school-wide with all students each morning during announcements. 2020 Black History Month Activities – Page 9

South Middle Main Theme/Focus: Black Excellence in the fields of Education, Science, Business, Media, Arts, Sports, etc, throughout History to the Present • Guest Speakers/Performances – Feb 5th - Reggie Venning (Winthrop Board of Trustees and Winthrop Alum); Financial Education- 8th grade (Team 5-10:10; Team 6 will follow) –Feb 11th or 13th (still waiting to hear back from the speaker to confirm) - Bright Kids Edutain- ment; Chris Spence (Educator in Chester County)-7th Grade 10:10 in the GYM – Fun Science Demonstrations; Ronnie Robinson-6th Grade (Date and Time TBD) –Feb 20th - Bright Stars Theatre in the GYM. 1st Show at 10:00-10:45 am for 7th Grade. (Under- ground Railroad). 2nd Show at 12:30-1:15 for 6th Grade (Underground Railroad). 3rd Show at 2:00 pm for 8th Grade. (Civil Rights) –Feb 26th - Mamadoonk Gullah Storytelling, 12:50-1:50 and 2:00-3:00 (8th grade) • Minor Daily/Weekly Celebrations Throughout the Month • Weekly Trivia Questions; students can win a dress down day. • Steeplechase/Tech Lessons • Divine 9 Greek Day: Greek Teachers wear their greek paraphernalia. • Door Decorating Contest by category: Art, Music, Science, Sports, Women, Politics, Media (more information will follow) • School Wide Final Celebration (Feb 27th) 10:00 in the GYM • A narrated walk through history from enslavement to modern day.