Black History Month Celebration at Prussing School
Prussing School proudly celebrates Black History Month. Students across the school, from kindergarten through eighth grade engage in activities and projects that recognize and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to our culture, because Black History is American History. Below are some of the different projects and activities that students engage in across the curricula.
Kindergarten, First and Second Grade
In the primary grades, students engage in discussions and research famous African Americans, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Madam C. J. Walker, Bessie Coleman and conduct projects around important African Americans in American history such as Ruby Bridges who was the same age as many students when she changed history. In first grade, students focus on civil rights. They discuss famous African Americans, such as Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, etc. They also engage in small group discussions around the famous “I Have a Dream” speech and relate it to current events that are happening today. In addition, they discuss famous African American inventors and relate those achievements to their personal dreams. First grade will also discuss famous African American basketball, football and baseball athletes. In second grade, students focus on famous African Americans. During the month of February, each student selects one famous African American person that they would like to do research on and learn more about them. At the end of the month, each student presents their project to the class. Students engage in discussions around social justice advocates, doctors, lawyers, nurses, astronauts, judges, and others.
Third and Fourth Grade
In third grade, students will listen to books on famous African Americans during read aloud time. Third grade students also focus on famous African Americans such as Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, Sojourner Truth, Thurgood Marshall, etc. We will watch videos on Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and discuss the struggle of African Americans to obtain more civil rights. In fourth grade, the social studies curriculum focuses on regions of the United States. As part of this core curriculum, students have addressed Black History for the last few months. These are some of the lessons and activities that students have been working on and will continue to work on. Students focused on the famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Students watched and read Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech. Students discussed what dreams they had to make the world a better place for everyone and how they would accomplish these goals. They also completed “D.R.E.A.M”, which is an acronym style of poetry where students contributed their own personal goals and how they would achieve them. Fourth grade has been working on the Civil Rights Movement. Fourth grade students have focused on Frederick Douglass, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ruby Bridges, and other famous African Americans. Students are taught facts, vocabulary, speak on civil rights, and complete various activities that are associated with each individual. Students discuss Jim Crow Laws which lead into discussions of the boycott of buses and also Rosa Parks. For Rosa Parks, students address empathy by discussing how it would feel to be in her shoes, and tie those feelings to social-emotional learning. Fourth grade students also engage in discussions around famous African American athletes and their contributions to sports and the larger American society. In Ms. Chavez’s fourth grade classroom, students are focusing on the Black Panther movement and what it means for today.
Fifth and Sixth Grade
In fifth grade, students examine race, power and identity as part of Black History Month and integrate it with current events. Students in fifth grade also have a Google Slide deck where students engage in in-depth discussions around prominent African Americans in our country’s history (ranging from Katherine Johnson, Michelle Obama, to Kobe Bryant). Students then select their top three people who they would like to research more closely from a list of famous and less famous black figures; including inventors, historians, scientists, politicians, athletes, actors and musicians. Students complete a project on one person that includes an in-depth slide presentation on that person and present it to the class. Students then complete rubrics on everyone’s presentations and one interesting fact about that person’s life or legacy.
During advisory, students will complete journal prompts honoring Black History month. Students complete math mystery picture puzzles that result in an image of a famous African American. The content of the mystery picture is related to the person. Students select a coordinate graphing activity that fits their skill level (either quadrant 1 or all 4 quadrants) that has images honoring Black History month. Students work on a Close Reading activity everyday. The passages are based on famous African Americans. Sixth grade students will work on a five segment series for Black History Month. Students will engage in “Conversations in Context,” which celebrates Black History through the Smithsonian Institute’s program. It examines key movements in Black History and connects them with what is going on in today’s world. Students will also complete a digital skills project about Juneteenth Day. Students will also watch the film “Hidden Figures” and engage in nuanced discussions regarding the powerful impact that African American women have contributed to math, science, and technology. Fifth and sixth grade students also choose similes and metaphors to describe their selected influential African American on a Google Slide presentation. Debate teams on social issues are initiated for influential African Americans. Personal essays are written and shared in speaking/listening activities on the chosen social issue prompts.
Seventh and Eighth Grade
In seventh grade for Black History Month, students engage in shared writing activities with important African Americans. Students unpack quotes from John Lewis and James Baldwin. Then, students participate in shared writing activities where they use their interpretations of the quotes to create shared poems and declarations of action for social justice. Subsequently, the students lead conversations through question-based formulation techniques, examining the collective struggles and successes of the African-American Diaspora. Eighth grade students read works of poetry by African American authors: Langston Hughes, Phillis Wheatley, Gwendolyn Brooks, et. al.. Literature Circles are conducted with students using novels about civil rights in the past and in current times. Students will read and analyze speeches by African Americans and discuss how African Americans were left out of the American Dream. Students will write formal essays about the American Dream and if it is achievable by all Americans. In eighth grade social studies, students engage in robust discussions regarding the Little Rock Nine. For the Little Rock Nine unit, students discuss ideas of segregation, integration, and institutional racism. Additionally, students watch films regarding Frederick Douglass and other prominent abolitionists. Finally, there are Black History Month webquests and articles that students complete throughout the month. Additionally, students learn about the history of voting rights throughout America’s formation and groups of individuals who have been marginalized. Students will also be doing research on a variety of African American mathematicians.
Special Arts
For Music in the primary grades, students sing songs about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and learn about the famous tap dancer Bill “Bogangles” Robinson. In the intermediate and upper grades, students learn songs from the Civil Rights Movement. In addition to other famous African American artists such as Louis Armstrong, Bill Withers, etc.. Ms. Arnowitz is also engaging students in discussions about Jazz and Scat singing by Ella Fitzgerald, as well as Aretha Franklin “The Queen of Soul”, Bob Marley the ambassador of Reggae music and other famous African American singers. Also, students in 7th/8th grades learn bucket drumming, which originated with African American street performers in New York City. In French, Ms. Moore incorporates Black History throughout the year within the French curriculum. Examples include: examining the violent history that has led to the creation of the majority of Francophone countries being located in Africa as a result of French colonies; comparing Congolese schoolchildren’s experience with our students’ experience at Prussing School and listening to different Afro-French dialects of the Caribbean and beyond. During February’s Black History month, Ms Moore reads books with primary grade students about Josephine Baker. Students engage in discussions around her and her contributions with personal connections. Students discuss how black culture was and is perceived in the United States is different in other countries. Students in the intermediate and upper grades learn about the history of Creole culture in New Orleans, Louisiana, focusing on the celebration of Mardi Gras and making connections to Carnivale around the world. For art, students engage in paper weaving/quilting based on the Gee’s Bend Quilters. Students also examine and engage with works by Bisa Butler and Pauline Parker (two quilters). Upper grade students will view a video by Arthur Jafa and discuss that along with the art of contemporary black artists such as Virgil Abloh, Hebru Brantley, and Kanye West. Students in physical education class discuss Black athletes, specifically those who broke color barriers, advocated for others, and made a lasting impact in their sport. Athletes that are discussed include Jackie Robinson, Althea Gibson, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Muhamaad Ali.
Kindergarten, First and Second Grade
In the primary grades, students engage in discussions and research famous African Americans, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Madam C. J. Walker, Bessie Coleman and conduct projects around important African Americans in American history such as Ruby Bridges who was the same age as many students when she changed history. In first grade, students focus on civil rights. They discuss famous African Americans, such as Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, etc. They also engage in small group discussions around the famous “I Have a Dream” speech and relate it to current events that are happening today. In addition, they discuss famous African American inventors and relate those achievements to their personal dreams. First grade will also discuss famous African American basketball, football and baseball athletes. In second grade, students focus on famous African Americans. During the month of February, each student selects one famous African American person that they would like to do research on and learn more about them. At the end of the month, each student presents their project to the class. Students engage in discussions around social justice advocates, doctors, lawyers, nurses, astronauts, judges, and others.
Third and Fourth Grade
In third grade, students will listen to books on famous African Americans during read aloud time. Third grade students also focus on famous African Americans such as Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, Sojourner Truth, Thurgood Marshall, etc. We will watch videos on Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and discuss the struggle of African Americans to obtain more civil rights. In fourth grade, the social studies curriculum focuses on regions of the United States. As part of this core curriculum, students have addressed Black History for the last few months. These are some of the lessons and activities that students have been working on and will continue to work on. Students focused on the famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Students watched and read Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech. Students discussed what dreams they had to make the world a better place for everyone and how they would accomplish these goals. They also completed “D.R.E.A.M”, which is an acronym style of poetry where students contributed their own personal goals and how they would achieve them. Fourth grade has been working on the Civil Rights Movement. Fourth grade students have focused on Frederick Douglass, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ruby Bridges, and other famous African Americans. Students are taught facts, vocabulary, speak on civil rights, and complete various activities that are associated with each individual. Students discuss Jim Crow Laws which lead into discussions of the boycott of buses and also Rosa Parks. For Rosa Parks, students address empathy by discussing how it would feel to be in her shoes, and tie those feelings to social-emotional learning. Fourth grade students also engage in discussions around famous African American athletes and their contributions to sports and the larger American society. In Ms. Chavez’s fourth grade classroom, students are focusing on the Black Panther movement and what it means for today.
Fifth and Sixth Grade
In fifth grade, students examine race, power and identity as part of Black History Month and integrate it with current events. Students in fifth grade also have a Google Slide deck where students engage in in-depth discussions around prominent African Americans in our country’s history (ranging from Katherine Johnson, Michelle Obama, to Kobe Bryant). Students then select their top three people who they would like to research more closely from a list of famous and less famous black figures; including inventors, historians, scientists, politicians, athletes, actors and musicians. Students complete a project on one person that includes an in-depth slide presentation on that person and present it to the class. Students then complete rubrics on everyone’s presentations and one interesting fact about that person’s life or legacy.
During advisory, students will complete journal prompts honoring Black History month. Students complete math mystery picture puzzles that result in an image of a famous African American. The content of the mystery picture is related to the person. Students select a coordinate graphing activity that fits their skill level (either quadrant 1 or all 4 quadrants) that has images honoring Black History month. Students work on a Close Reading activity everyday. The passages are based on famous African Americans. Sixth grade students will work on a five segment series for Black History Month. Students will engage in “Conversations in Context,” which celebrates Black History through the Smithsonian Institute’s program. It examines key movements in Black History and connects them with what is going on in today’s world. Students will also complete a digital skills project about Juneteenth Day. Students will also watch the film “Hidden Figures” and engage in nuanced discussions regarding the powerful impact that African American women have contributed to math, science, and technology. Fifth and sixth grade students also choose similes and metaphors to describe their selected influential African American on a Google Slide presentation. Debate teams on social issues are initiated for influential African Americans. Personal essays are written and shared in speaking/listening activities on the chosen social issue prompts.
Seventh and Eighth Grade
In seventh grade for Black History Month, students engage in shared writing activities with important African Americans. Students unpack quotes from John Lewis and James Baldwin. Then, students participate in shared writing activities where they use their interpretations of the quotes to create shared poems and declarations of action for social justice. Subsequently, the students lead conversations through question-based formulation techniques, examining the collective struggles and successes of the African-American Diaspora. Eighth grade students read works of poetry by African American authors: Langston Hughes, Phillis Wheatley, Gwendolyn Brooks, et. al.. Literature Circles are conducted with students using novels about civil rights in the past and in current times. Students will read and analyze speeches by African Americans and discuss how African Americans were left out of the American Dream. Students will write formal essays about the American Dream and if it is achievable by all Americans. In eighth grade social studies, students engage in robust discussions regarding the Little Rock Nine. For the Little Rock Nine unit, students discuss ideas of segregation, integration, and institutional racism. Additionally, students watch films regarding Frederick Douglass and other prominent abolitionists. Finally, there are Black History Month webquests and articles that students complete throughout the month. Additionally, students learn about the history of voting rights throughout America’s formation and groups of individuals who have been marginalized. Students will also be doing research on a variety of African American mathematicians.
Special Arts
For Music in the primary grades, students sing songs about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and learn about the famous tap dancer Bill “Bogangles” Robinson. In the intermediate and upper grades, students learn songs from the Civil Rights Movement. In addition to other famous African American artists such as Louis Armstrong, Bill Withers, etc.. Ms. Arnowitz is also engaging students in discussions about Jazz and Scat singing by Ella Fitzgerald, as well as Aretha Franklin “The Queen of Soul”, Bob Marley the ambassador of Reggae music and other famous African American singers. Also, students in 7th/8th grades learn bucket drumming, which originated with African American street performers in New York City. In French, Ms. Moore incorporates Black History throughout the year within the French curriculum. Examples include: examining the violent history that has led to the creation of the majority of Francophone countries being located in Africa as a result of French colonies; comparing Congolese schoolchildren’s experience with our students’ experience at Prussing School and listening to different Afro-French dialects of the Caribbean and beyond. During February’s Black History month, Ms Moore reads books with primary grade students about Josephine Baker. Students engage in discussions around her and her contributions with personal connections. Students discuss how black culture was and is perceived in the United States is different in other countries. Students in the intermediate and upper grades learn about the history of Creole culture in New Orleans, Louisiana, focusing on the celebration of Mardi Gras and making connections to Carnivale around the world. For art, students engage in paper weaving/quilting based on the Gee’s Bend Quilters. Students also examine and engage with works by Bisa Butler and Pauline Parker (two quilters). Upper grade students will view a video by Arthur Jafa and discuss that along with the art of contemporary black artists such as Virgil Abloh, Hebru Brantley, and Kanye West. Students in physical education class discuss Black athletes, specifically those who broke color barriers, advocated for others, and made a lasting impact in their sport. Athletes that are discussed include Jackie Robinson, Althea Gibson, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Muhamaad Ali.
