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SVSU links to  student, parent and community resources as well as the SVSU anti- racism statement.

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Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union believes that every child deserves the opportunity to receive what they need to develop their full academic and social potential.

We are committed to providing individualized opportunities for all students, focusing on the achievement of identified goals and objectives.

We hope to interrupt and change inequitable practices to ensure that all students "see themselves" in their curriculum, instructional materials, and environment.

By examining biases, we hope to create and coexist in an inclusive, safe school environment for adults and children.

"Equity exists when there are no systematic differences in the distribution of these conditions, practices, and results based upon race, ethnicity, disability, gender, economic status, or any other relevant characteristics." The College Board (2000)

The SVSU Educational Equity in Practice Committee was formed in 2019 following the SU's receipt of a statewide grant aiming to train educators on practices revolving around equity. They are committed to the ongoing work of creating equity in our schools.

The Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union is committed to developing lifelong learners who contribute to their community and succeed in a diverse and evolving global society.

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Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union believes that every child deserves the opportunity to receive what they need to develop their full academic and social potential. We are committed to providing individualized opportunities for all students, focusing on the achievement of identified goals and objectives.

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Discussing racial issues can make students and teachers uncomfortable. Here, educator and scholar Dr. Beverly Tatum shares her wisdom on teaching about slavery and race-related issues.
Classroom teachers across the country are faced with explaining the central paradox of a democracy that declared all men equal but enslaved and oppressed one group to provide independence and prosperity for another. The task is difficult because your audience is children.

Slavery is a topic that makes many of us uncomfortable. Yet, black-white race relations in the United States have been forever shaped by slavery and its social, psychological, and economic legacy. It requires discussion. How should we approach the topic with children?

Too often I hear from young African American students that they feel embarrassment in school when slavery is discussed. Ironically, slavery is one of the few ways the black experience is included in their schooling, even during Black History Month, a time of celebration. Uncomfortable with the portrayal of their group as helpless victims, students squirm as they feel the eyes of white children looking for their reaction to this subject.

In my professional-development work with white teachers, they sometimes remark how uncomfortable they, too, are with this example (and others) of the painful history of race relations. As one elementary teacher said: "It is hard to tell small children about slavery, hard to explain that young black men were lynched and that police turned fire hoses on children while others bombed churches, killing black children at their prayers. This history is a terrible legacy for all of us. The other day [another] teacher told me that she could not look into the faces of her students when she taught about these things. It was too painful, and too embarrassing. . . . If we are all uncomfortable, something is wrong in our approach."

Something is wrong. While it is necessary to be honest about the racism of our past and present, it is also necessary to provide children (and adults) with a vision that change is possible. Where can we find this vision? We can look for it in our history, we can create it with our colleagues, and we can demonstrate it in our classrooms.

The Africans who were brought here as slaves were not just passive victims. They found ways to resist their victimization. All whites were not bad, and some black resisters found white allies. Concrete examples are critical.

For young children, examples can be found in picture books. One of my favorites is Faith Ringgold's Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky. This story is told from the point of view of a young black girl who travels back in time and experiences both the chilling realities of slavery and the power of her own resistance and eventual escape. White people are presented in the story as enemies (slave owners) and as allies (hosts on the Underground Railroad). This dual representation is important for all children, regardless of color.

A white friend of mine often told her young son the story of how Rosa Parks refused to sit in the back of the bus in 1955 and sparked her whole community to take a stand against racist whites during the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott. The story was one of the child's favorites when he was just four years old. Then one day he asked her, "Are all white people bad?" Now he was five, and already seemed to be feeling bad about being white.

I recommended talking more about what white people had done to oppose injustice. Jeanette Winter's book Follow the Drinking Gourd highlights the role of a white man and other white allies who offer assistance along the Underground Railroad.

When discussing a sensitive topic such as slavery, make sure all are treated respectfully as individuals. Follow the rule yourself, and don't allow children to be treated as if they represent an entire racial group.

When you feel uncomfortable or notice students squirming, acknowledge the discomfort. Let them know it is normal. You can say, "It is hard to talk about the time when there were slaves. It can make us all feel bad. Sometimes I feel ____." You can fill in the blank yourself; feelings of guilt or anger are common.

Let students see themselves as agents of change and healing. Although slavery ended a long time ago, we still face racism today. By treating one another with respect, students are fighting racism.

Encourage them to note examples of bias and stereotypes in their reading. Children can learn to question whether derogatory depictions of other people are stereotypes. They can learn to ask who is doing what in the story's plot, and why; who is in the role of leader and who is taking the orders; and who has been left out of the story altogether.

Social studies and history curricula rarely emphasize examples of black or white resistance to slavery or racism. You're not alone in your discomfort with the topic, or your search for solutions. Share your concerns, frustrations, success stories, and resources with colleagues and friends.

Coming to terms with past and present injustice is often cause for anger and guilt, frustration and despair. All children, regardless of color, need to find the hope in this history. We must not insensitively sanitize the pain of those caught in the bind of oppression. We need to celebrate the strength of the human spirit to go beyond the roles of victim and victimizer. In doing so, we may inspire one another to do likewise in the struggle against the contemporary injustices we face.

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It's Not So Black and White: Discussing Race and Racism in the Classroom | Scholastic

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Discussing racial issues can make students and teachers uncomfortable. Here, educator and scholar Dr. Beverly Tatum shares her wisdom on teaching about slavery and race-related issues. Classroom teachers across the country are faced with explaining the central paradox of a democracy that declared all men equal but enslaved and oppressed one group to provide independence and prosperity for another.

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Scholastic lessons

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Multiculturalism and Diversity | Scholastic

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Resources that foucs on the topic of multiculturalism and diversity. Includes professional articles and resources, lesson plans, and activities.

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NJTV Learning Live
Students will learn a song from the civil rights movement and have the opportunity to personalize the lyrics. Created by NJTV in partnership with the NJEA and the NJ Department of Education, NJTV Learning Live remote learning classes are for grades 3-6, taught by NJ public school teachers. One-hour lessons include math, science, English language arts, social studies, physical education and more.

Aired: 05/15/20

Rating: NR

Problems Playing Video? Report a Problem |

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NJTV Learning Live | Everybody Ought to Know - Ed Stroh - Third Grade

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NJTV Learning Live Students will learn a song from the civil rights movement and have the opportunity to personalize the lyrics. Created by NJTV in partnership with the NJEA and the NJ Department of Education, NJTV Learning Live remote learning classes are for grades 3-6, taught by NJ public school teachers.

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"My Hair is a Garden" by Cozbi A. Cabrera (read by Stephanie Ingram, DSEA President)

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Collection of relevant lesson plans and resources

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Collection of relevant lesson plans and resources

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Black History Month began in 1915, when historian Carter G. Woodson began the "Negro History Week" to honor the contributions of African Americans. He chose the second week of February to pay respect to two Americans who changed the lives of African Americans forever. Former President and abolitionist Abraham Lincoln tribute falls on February 12 th, while former slave and social reformer Frederick Douglass remembrance lands on February 14 th. The resources below will provide more information, lessons, and activities that will help educators bring Black History into the classroom, not just in February, but year round!
Elementary Lessons & Activities

Smithsonian African American Heritage: Teaching resources for Black History Month, including calendars, lessons, and activates.

Martin Luther King Jr.: Resources, activities, and coloring books about Martin Luther King Jr.

Lesson Plan - Rosa Parks: Language arts, technology, and social studies lesson plan for 3-5 graders about Rosa Parks.

Black History Month - Activities and Resources: Lots of resources for children, including quizzes about important figures and Black History reading resources.

Lessons on Slavery: Curriculum packet and lessons to help teach students about the issues of slavery.

The ABC's of Black History: Major class project about Black history that will generally take between 10 and 14 class sessions to complete.

Black History Month - Teacher Resources: Large collection of Black History Month printables, slideshows, lessons, and activities.

The Margaret Garner Story: Lesson plans and activities that focus on slavery, abolition, and the Margaret Garner story.

Teachers First Resources for Black History: Over 40 Black History teacher resources, such as ideas, interactive materials, and research information.

Brain Pop Spotlight Black History: Here you will find a Harlem Renaissance lesson plan, civil rights quiz, and tons of lesson plans.

Celebrating African American History Month: Brief history of Black History Month and five interactive student lesson plans.

Africans in America: Historical narrative and teacher's guide showing America's journey through slavery, presented in four parts.

Black History Museum Educational Programs: Here you will find several lesson plans that feature significant African American sites.

Culture & Change - Black History in America: Projects regarding the chronicles of slavery and emancipation, leading to the civil rights movement.

The Underground Railroad: Map of Michigan's Underground Railroad and a brief overview of how it was used.

K-12 African Studies: List of Black History and African history curriculum materials, lessons, and educational activities.

Lesson Plans and Teacher Guides: Brief history of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as curriculum materials and lesson plans.

Crafts, History, and Activates for Black History: Children can celebrate Black History Month through fun crafts, activities, and information on culture.

Middle & High School Lessons & Activities

The Emancipation Proclamation: History, audio clip, and photographs of the primary documents of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Downloadable Activities for Black History: List of activities on Black history topics, such as a civil rights timeline

Black History Stamps: Lesson plan to honor the contributions of black Americans through U.S. commemorative postage stamps.

The Underground Railroad: Students can choose their path in this interactive audio and visual tour through the Underground Railroad to find freedom.

From Slavery to Civil Rights: Select an era to view a timeline of important African-American historic events.

Delaware Black History Project: Lesson plans developed from the Delaware Black History project that takes two to three 45-minute class periods.

Teaching with Historic Places: List of complete free lesson plans that are ready for classroom use by students in social studies and history classes.

Learn about Slavery: An introduction to slavery and slaveholders, as well as slave trade maps and pictorial images.

National Register of Historic Places: Information and photographs of historic properties that were contributions of African American culture.

Black History Curriculum: List of Black History Month lesson plans, activities, and curriculum materials for grades 6-8.

Chicago's Black Metropolis: Information, facts, and photographs of the celebration of African American contributions through a Victory Monument.

Fun and Facts into Black History Month: Several educational activity ideas for students to celebrate Black History Month.

African American History Lesson Plans: Collection of lessons plans regarding African American history.

Child of the Underground Railroad: Lesson plan and memorial of Malinda Paris used in classrooms to retell the story of the Underground Railroad.

Slavery and Abolitionism: In-depth information on slavery and abolitionism, as well as a list of related lesson plans.

Black History Month - The Power of Nonviolence: Here you will find 3 lesson plans and several podcasts.

Literature Based Lessons: Great lessons and activities for students regarding Black History topics.

Martin Luther King, Jr.: Students must use the given timeline to complete a series of questions on Martin Luther King, Jr.

Civil Rights Exhibit Brings History to Life: Tons of teacher resources, including Black History stories, video and sound clips, and information on events.

A View of Black History: Information and video to give students a general overview of Black History.

The African American Mosaic: Resource guide from the Library of Congress for the study of black history and culture.

Internet African American History Challenge: Students can complete these history questions to challenge their knowledge of African American history.

Powerful Days in Black and White: Collection of photographs that show the civil-rights struggle in America.

Life Lessons for Black History Month: Here you will find several projects and lessons used to celebrate Black History Month.

Civil War and Reconstruction: Information, PowerPoint's, and activities regarding the Civil War, Underground Railroad, and changes to American structures.

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Teacher Tools: Lessons, Activities and Info for Teaching Black History

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Black History Month began in 1915, when historian Carter G. Woodson began the "Negro History Week" to honor the contributions of African Americans. He chose the second week of February to pay respect to two Americans who changed the lives of African Americans forever.

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Black History Month Lessons & Resources, Grades K-5

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Black History Month Lessons & Resources, Grades K-5

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Students of every race, background, and zip code deserve the freedom to learn and pursue their dreams. NEA engages and mobilizes activists in the effort for racial, social, and economic justice in public schools and on campuses.

We are building and growing a community of activists committed to advancing social justice policies in public education.

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NEA is growing the movement to win education justice for our students, schools, and communities.

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February is Black History Month. Explore the many contributions of African-Americans with our cross-curricular lesson plans, printables, quizzes, and activities below.
You'll find great activities and ideas which include biographies on athletes, scientists, civil rights leaders, and more! Utilize these ideas and resources for grades K-12 to examine the historical and social context of slavery. From art to technology, there are activities to connect Black history with every subject including holiday resources for Kwanzaa and Martin Luther King Jr Day.

Incorporate Black History Month into many of your classes, such as Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies, with our member exclusive activities packet. Looking for more? Explore and browse all Black History Month resources.

Educational Videos & Activities

Choose from various activities to extend student learning after viewing these short videos for Black History Month.

Technology Resources

Help students understand more about African-American culture through research on websites.

Printables for Grades K-5

Use these printable pages to expand students' knowledge about African culture and history. Activities include a collaborative project, reading passages, a writing prompt, and creating an African tribal mask.

Printables for Grades 6-8

Increase students' knowledge of African-American culture and history with these cross-curricular writing, reading, and vocabulary term activities.

Printables & Lessons for Grades 9-12

These creative resources are designed to enhance students' understanding of African history and culture through the influence of music. Activities include lessons with song lyrics, reading passages, and math in jazz.

Lesson Plans for Grades K-5

Expand students' learning about African-American history through these resources which include reading passages about African folk tales, heroes, and important people.

Lesson Plans for Grades 6-8

Help students understand the struggle of African-Americans through these activities which include the Underground Railroad, Martin Luther King Jr. and other influential people.

African-American History Resources

Use our resources to enhance students' African-American history knowledge through reading African folk tales or other literature, videos with activities, and coloring pages.

Slideshows

Our slideshows provide lists of interesting and creative activities to do to help students learn more about African-American culture and history.

Quizzes

Test your students' knowledge and ideas of African holidays, civil rights, and Martin Luther King, Jr. with these quizzes during Black History Month.

References

Use our references to deepen students' understanding of important people and events in African-American history.

Music & Drama Activities

Extend students' knowledge through these fun and creative music-related activities. Included you will find how your students can create a talk show and learn about the relationship of math and jazz.

Language Arts Activities

Black History Month is a perfect time to expand your students' African-American knowledge using warm-ups, reading passages with writing activities, and a wordsearch.

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Black History Month Activities for Classrooms (Grades K-12) - TeacherVision

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February is Black History Month. Explore the many contributions of African-Americans with our cross-curricular lesson plans, printables, quizzes, and activities below. You'll find great activities and ideas which include biographies on athletes, scientists, civil rights leaders, and more! Utilize these ideas and resources for grades K-12 to examine the historical and social context of slavery.

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Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators-teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners-who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use our materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.

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Recommended author

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Parents and other caregivers are seeking resources to help them hold children through the current, terrible wave of racialized violence, which is exacerbated by the tensions and vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. As scholars, writers, and parents who use books to connect with our children and spark conversations with them, we've developed this book list to help engage the broad range of emotions and needs of diverse children in our multiracial society. In some cases, we've highlighted worthy, albeit lesser-known titles. Some are older books, some are newer, and a few will publish later this year but are available for pre-order now. This list skews heavily towards #ownvoices books and is arranged alphabetically by title.

Please use these books to help you do the work of making the world a safer, more equitable place for all children.

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20 Picture Books for 2020: Readings to Embrace Race, Provide Solace &...

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As scholars, writers, and parents who use books to connect with our children and spark conversations with them, we've developed this book list to help engage the broad range of emotions and needs of diverse children in our multiracial society.

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Celebrate Black Culture
Start a Conversation About Race

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online access fun thousands children great kids ebooks books

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Celebrate Black Culture Book Collection on Epic

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Discover new children's books on Epic. With thousands of books and audiobooks there is no limit to what children can learn and explore.

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Talking to Kids about race and racism-Podcast

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Talking to Kids about race and racism-Podcast

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Resources for Teaching MLK
https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/dos-and-donts-of-celebrating-mlk-day

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Our searchable library of short texts offers a diverse mix of stories and perspectives. This multigenre, multimedia collection aligns with the Common Core's recommendations for text complexity and the Learning for Justice Social Justice Standards. Choose from informational and literary nonfiction texts, literature, photographs, political cartoons, interviews, infographics and more.

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Anti-bias lessons help preschoolers hold up a mirror to diversity

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Curator Chats Series: The Significance of African Americans in Sports with Damion L. Thomas, PhD

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Teaching Tolerance provides free resources to educators-teachers, administrators, counselors and other practitioners-who work with children from kindergarten through high school. Educators use our materials to supplement the curriculum, to inform their practices, and to create civil and inclusive school communities where children are respected, valued and welcome participants.

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Students produce original art (visual art, music, drama or poetry) that conveys an anti-bias or social justice message. Students then plan a public showcase of their work.

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Despite the severe racial, social and economic barriers that African American athletes have been subjected to throughout history, there have been notable individuals who have risen above the challenges and shattered all expectations.

Not only did these athletes achieve "firsts" in their sport, but many also felt a heavy responsibility to stand up for their communities and use their fame to push for more inclusion both on and off the field.

Here are 10 African American athletes who became pioneers in their respective sport:

Jackie Robinson - First Black Baseball Player in Major League Baseball

Jackie Robinson made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, and broke the color barrier for African Americans in baseball.

"It was the most eagerly anticipated debut in the annals of the national pastime," sports authors Robert Lipsyte and Pete Levine wrote. "It represented both the dream and the fear of equal opportunity, and it would change forever the complexion of the game and the attitudes of Americans."

After quietly enduring harsh racist treatment from baseball fans and team members alike, Robinson rose to Rookie of the Year and proved himself to be one of the most talented and fiercest players in the game. Just two years into the Major Leagues, Robinson won the National League Most Valuable Player Award. He'd go on to play in six World Series and helped give the Dodgers a World Series win in 1955.

Off the field, Robinson was a forefather of the civil rights movement, speaking out against racial discrimination and pushing baseball to use its economic influence to desegregate Southern towns and recruit more people of color into the leagues.

Jesse Owens - Five-Time World Record Holder in Track

In his lifetime, Jesse Owens was widely considered the greatest track and field athlete in history.

On May 25, 1935, Owens, who was a student at Ohio State University, attended the Big Ten collegiate track conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and set a stunning five world records and equaled another in both sprints and long jump - all within 45 minutes.

Owens continued his supernatural winning streak at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, where he would emerge as the most decorated athlete, winning four gold medals.
READ MORE: How Jesse Owens Foiled Hitler's Plans for the 1936 Olympics
Jack Johnson - First Black Heavyweight Boxing Champ

Known as the "Galveston Giant," Jack Johnson lived his life fearlessly as one of the most famous and scandalous Black athletes in America.

With the Jim Crow era in full force, Johnson's 1910 match-up with undefeated white opponent James J. Jeffries was coined the "fight of the century." After Johnson knocked Jeffries out in the 15th round, race riots exploded all over the country.

Although he lived in dangerous times, Johnson didn't flinch when taking advantage of his celebrity. When he wasn't knocking out his opponents, he was busy expanding his businesses and banking on endorsement deals. He also had a penchant for white women, which eventually landed him in legal trouble (caused by racist laws). After he fled the country for seven years, he returned in 1920 and served jail time in federal prison.

In 2018, President Donald Trump posthumously pardoned him.

In 1920, Fritz Pollard and Bobby Marshall became the first African American players allowed to play in the National Football League. While Marshall, who played tight-end, went on to build an athletic career not only in football but also in track, boxing, baseball and ice hockey, Pollard quickly found himself juggling his running back duties with the newly added responsibility of being a head coach in the NFL - another African American first.

Charlie Sifford - First Black Golfer in the PGA

Long before there was Tiger Woods, there was Charlie Sifford, who's been referred to as the Jackie Robinson of golf.

For much of his early career, Sifford was confined to compete in all-Black golf tournaments, but upon the invitation of boxer Joe Louis, he sought to enter the PGA-sponsored Phoenix Open in 1952. His presence at the event was not taken too kindly, and he received many death threats.

Still, Sifford was not to be intimidated. He continued to perfect his game, and in 1961 entered the PGA Tour, becoming the first African American golfer to do so. His career totaled 422 tournaments, over 50 top 10 finishes and 22 professional wins.

Althea Gibson - First Black Athlete to Compete in International Tennis

Another Robinson comparison, Althea Gibson became the first African American to compete in a pro-world tennis tour and in 1956, the first African American woman to win a Grand Slam title (French Championships). The following year, she would win Wimbledon and the U.S Nationals and repeat her wins in 1958. Her career would total 11 Grand Slam wins, which included six singles titles.

Gibson's athletic accomplishments were considered revolutionary, making a huge social and psychological impact on the Black community, as did Robinson's for baseball. Forty-three years would pass until another Black female tennis player, Serena Williams, would win her first U.S. Open.

Bill Russell - First Black Coach in the NBA

A legend for his defense, rebounds and shot-blocking, Bill Russell was largely considered the top basketball player in NBA history for decades until Michael Jordan came onto the scene in the 1980s. As the former center for the Boston Celtics, Russell helped his team win 11 championships in 13 seasons. Starting in 1966, he served as player-coach for the Celtics, becoming the first Black coach in the NBA and the first to win an NBA championship. He also led the U.S. national basketball team to gold at the 1956 Olympics.

Wilma Rudolph - First American Woman to Win Three Gold Medals at the Olympics

Despite being diagnosed with polio as a child, Wilma Rudolph would grow up to become the fastest woman in the world of her generation. Competing in the 1956 Olympics in Australia, Rudolph would take home the bronze in the 4×100-meter relay, but it was in the 1960 Olympics in Rome that she sprinted her way into history by winning three gold medals, becoming the first American woman to accomplish such a feat at a single Olympics.

In addition to her accomplishments on the field, Rudolph was a tireless proponent of women's rights and civil rights.
READ MORE: How Wilma Rudolph Overcame Early Health Problems to Launch a Record-Breaking Career
Arthur Ashe - First Black Tennis Player to Win Three Grand Slam Titles

Known for his quiet but resolute demeanor, Arthur Ashe is still the only African American male tennis player to have won singles titles in the U.S. Open (1968), the Australian Open (1970) and Wimbledon (1975). The same year he won his first Grand Slam title, he was also ranked the top tennis player in the world.

Ashe wasn't only a record-breaking tennis player, but he was also known for his civil rights activism off the courts. He helped organize tennis programs for inner-city youth and publicly denounced apartheid in South Africa. After contracting AIDS from a blood transfusion during a heart procedure in the 1980s, Ashe spoke out about his diagnosis in 1992 and launched an AIDS foundation for further research.

Gabby Douglas - First Black Gymnast to Win Individual All-Around Champion

Dubbed "The Flying Squirrel" for her high leaps in competition, Gabby Douglas is a multiple gold medal-winning world champion and Olympian. In 2012 she made history at the London Olympics when she became the first person of color to become the Individual All-Around Champion. According to her official site, she also became "the first American gymnast to win gold in both the gymnastic individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympic games." Four years later, Douglas competed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and helped her team (aka "The Final Five") win another gold for their team event.

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Despite the severe racial, social and economic barriers that African American athletes have been subjected to throughout history, there have been notable individuals who have risen above the challenges and shattered all expectations.

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In February we celebrate Black History Month. These games help to teach us about the great men and women who have made important contributions to our country, which provide us the quality of life that we experience today. The following games can be played on different days during Black History Month, or used as a "Field Day" for different classes to rotate around to.

Inventor/Entreprenuer: George Washington Carver

Background information: George Washington Carver was a life-long learner. He was a scientist, a botanist, and an educator at Tuskegee University for 47 years. He revolutionized agriculture in the Southern United States. Mr. Carver was an early innovator for green living and was involved with early recycling.

Name of the Game: Carver's Musical Chairs

Materials: Music and CD player, chairs or carpet squares, enough for one third of the class.

Directions: One person is chosen to be "It". Divide the rest of the students equally into three groups called soybeans, sweet potatoes, and pecans. While the music is playing, all students are walking around the line of chairs or carpet squares. When the music stops, "It" will call out either soybeans, sweet potatoes, or pecans, and just those in that group will quickly take a seat. "It" will attempt to take a seat as well, leaving one person out. The person without a seat will become the next "It" and the game starts again. Change the locomotor movements with each game, from walking, to running, to galloping, and to skipping. Tell the person who is "It" to call out a different group each time, to give everyone an opportunity to try for a seat, and also to keep all alert to listening for their group. When "It" is successful in taking a seat, he/she becomes part of that group.

Inventor/Entreprenuer: Madame C. J. Walker

Background Information: Ms. Walker was the first black woman millionaire in North America but her passion was to improve the lives of impoverished women by developing hair care products. Although she had a poor beginning, she showed the world that anyone with determination and good work ethics could improve one's life and the lives of others.

Name of the Game: Walker's Relay

Materials: Equal number of hair care items for each group (comb, brush, travel size shampoo and conditioner, hair ornaments such as barretts and headbands), two buckets or hoops for each group.

Directions: Divide students into equal teams, no more than three or four in a team. The teams will stand at one end of the gym next to their bucket or hoop, run to the other end of the gym to retrieve an item from the bucket and return to teammates to place the item in the "home" bucket. The next person will run to the other end of the gym and retrieve the next item, and the game continues until all items are retrieved.

Inventor/Entreprenuer: Elijah McCoy

Backround Information: Mr. McCoy was quite the inventor and innovator. He produced the technology to keep trains lubricated while they ran. He also invented the lawn sprinkler and ironing board. He helped cut down chores for all people. Even though many people did imitations of his inventions he earned the nickname "The Real McCoy" because his products worked well and other people chose to purchase them.

Name of the Game: The Real McCoy Ironing Board

Materials: A shirt for every group and a wooden block to be used as a pretend iron.

Directions: Students are divided into equal groups of three to four in a group. At the starting line, the first in each group will run to the other end of the gym, spread out the shirt and pretend to iron it with four big strokes of the iron, then put the shirt on and run back to the rest of the group. That person will remove the shirt, hand it to the next person in line, who will run to the other end of the gym, pretend to iron the shirt, put it on, and return to the rest of the group. The relay will continue until everyone in every group has had a chance to iron the shirt, or until the teacher says the relay is done.

Inventor/Entreprenuer: Garrett Morgan

Background Information: Garrett Morgan is famous for his invention of the traffic light and the gas mask. Many lives were saved through using a traffic light to control the flow of traffic. The gas mask saved the lives of soldiers, protecting them from deadly toxins during World War I. Gas masks are still used today to protect our soldiers in the Iraq War.

Name of the Game: Morgan's Traffic Light

Directions: Two lines are established at opposite ends of the playing area. One line is the goal line, the other is the starting line. One player is "It" and stands on the goal line and closes his eyes. The rest of the players are at the start line. When "It" calls "green light," players move toward him. When "It" calls "red light" he opens his eyes and all of the players must stop moving. Any player who is caught in motion must return to the starting line. Keep playing until a player reaches the goal line, then select another person to be "It".

Inventor: Dr. Charles Richard Drew

Background Information: Dr. Drew is a famous doctor that revolutionized the world with the concept of blood banking. This allows people to give blood, have it stored safely and shipped to people in remote places. Anyone who needs blood is able to receive it. Unfortunately, Dr. Drew died in a car accident because he lost too much blood.

Name of the Game: Dr. Drew's Relay

Materials: Red items such as red plastic eggs or red foam peanuts, buckets or hoops, a spoon for each team.

Directions: Divide students into teams of three or four. Place buckets or hoops at each end of the gym, for each team. Players will start the relay by placing an object on the spoon and running to the other end of the gym to drop the object into the bucket. Then the player will run back to the team so the next person in line can do the same. The player must not touch the item as he/she is moving towards the blood bank bucket. The game is over when all the red items are in the bucket.

Inventor/Entreprenuer: Otis Boykin

Background Information: Mr. Boykin invented electrical resistors that are used in home computers, television sets, radios, and guided missiles. He also invented the pacemaker, a medical heart simulator that corrects faulty heartbeats. Pacemakers improve the lives of many people, young and old alike.

Name of the Game: Boykin's Heart

Materials: Valentine Hearts, each cut into two pieces, zigzag or curved like a puzzle piece.

Directions: Tell the students that they will get half of a heart and must find the person with the matching half. Once they find that person, they can get a jump rope and jump until all have found the matching heart piece. Let everyone jump for a few more minutes, then have them find their pulse to check their heart rate. Talk about the importance of a healthy heart and how aerobic exercise makes our hearts and lungs strong.

Inventor: Dr. Patricia E. Bath

Background Information: Dr. Bath has made it possible for many blind people to see. She invented the method of eye surgery that allow surgeons to remove damaged or faulty parts of the eye and put in a new lens. She also founded the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness.

Name of the Game: Dr. Bath's Corners

Materials: Four sets of pictures of eyes for the four corners of the room.

Directions: This is a game of chance, as students will not know which corner will be called until after they are in one of the corners. The four corners that players can go to are clearly identified with a set of eyes and a number from one to four. One player starts in the middle, closes his/her eyes, and slowly counts to ten while the other players quietly go to one of the corners. Then the person in the middle will call out a number, one to four, and open his/her eyes. Those players in the corner that is called will leave the game and go to another section of the gym to practice tossing and catching a ball, working on eye-hand coordination. The game continues with the remaining players and a newly selected person to stand in the middle. Eventually, all students will be called out and moving over to the section to practice tossing a ball.

Inventor/Entreprenuer: Lonnie G. Johnson

Background Information: Lonnie G. Johnson spends most of his time inventing mechanical and electrical systems for NASA rockets, but he's best known for another creation: the world famous Super Soaker water gun. It has earned over 200 million dollars and has transformed fun for children and adults alike in the summer months. He has over 40 patents and does work for NASA through his company, Johnson Research & Development.

Name of the Game: Johnson's Tower

Materials: Paper cups

Directions: Put students into teams of two or three. Each team will attempt to create the highest tower with the cups. The team that makes the highest tower in the allotted time wins. If the creation falls, the team must start again.

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PEC: Lesson Plans for Physical Education

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In February we celebrate Black History Month. These games help to teach us about the great men and women who have made important contributions to our country, which provide us the quality of life that we experience today.

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Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of black people in U.S. history. Since the mid 1970s, people in the United States have used the month of February to take a critical look at the way that African Americans have changed our history, culture, and national identity. Schools across the United States use Black History Month as a way to remind all students that black lives are important. It's a time for looking back and a way to set our course for the future.

We are living through a time when race is on the forefront of everyone's mind and tension is high but celebrating Black History Month can be a great way to celebrate and reflect. In this blog post I wanted to talk about several ways that you can make authentic connections and include Black History Month in your classroom. I'll discuss black musicians to celebrate, literature to incorporate, and lesson ideas for songs and games that you can play.

Black Musicians to Celebrate

One easy way to incorporate Black History Month in the classroom is to take time to learn about influential black musicians. There aren't many black composers that we know of in the Baroque, Classical, or Romantic musical periods but the last few hundred years are bursting with examples of black musicians who have been innovators in their fields and changed music as we know it. Here are a few examples that I try and highlight every year.

Scott Joplin was a self-taught musician who left home at the age of 16 to try and make it big as a professional musician. Joplin became famous for a type of music called "Ragtime." His pieces "Maple Leaf Rag" and "The Entertainer" are two of the most famous rags of all time.

Louis Armstrong came to fame in the 1920's for his inventive trumpet and cornet playing. His biggest impact as a musician was on the world of jazz as he helped to shift the focus from collective improvisation to solo performance.

Miles Davis was a jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame named him "one of the key figures in the development of jazz." The music that Davis created and performed with his musical groups helped to shape jazz music variations including bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz, and jazz fusion.

Duke Ellington was a composer, pianist, and bandleader of jazz orchestras (big band). Ellington was a pivotal figure in the development of jazz and many believe that he helped to change the perception of jazz from something very basic into a true art form. Ellington collaborated with countless musicians and created over 1,500 compositions in all styles and forms.

Bessie Smith was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s and earned herself the title "The Empress of the Blues." She is often regarded as one of the greatest singers of her era and, along with Louis Armstrong, a major influence on other jazz vocalists.

Ella Fitzgerald gained fame for her interpretations of the "Great American Songbook," singing the songs of Gershwin and Porter. She is known for singing jazz, blues, and for her ease with vocal improvisation. Fitzgerald was one of the most celebrated jazz vocalists of her generation and earned the nickname the "First Lady of Song."

Jimi Hendrix was a musician, guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Hendrix was known for his impressive guitar playing and stage presence and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame calls him "one of the greatest instrumentalists in the history of rock music."

Whitney Houston was a singer, actress, producer, and model. Houston was one of pop music's best selling artists and was noted by Guinness World Records as the most awarded female act of all time.

Michael Jackson was a singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actor. Jackson started out with his brothers as part of "The Jackson 5" but he went on to have a successful pop music solo career. His innovative music videos helped to break down racial barriers and transform music videos into an art form. Jackson was an amazing dancer and live performer. He created and popularized the Robot and the Moonwalk.

Leontyne Price is an opera singer who rose to international acclaim in the 1950s and 1960s and was one of the first African Americans to become a leading artist at the Metropolitan Opera. Price has been honored by the Kennedy Center, Grammy Awards, National Endowment for the Arts, and has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She has been honored more than any other classical singer.

I could go on and on and on. There are too many artists for me to name here or to bring up with students. So, I take advantage of my space and make the hallway outside my room another way to learn. I print off posters with information about Black Musicians and post it in the hallway. Students won't be able to stop and read all of them, but you'd be surprised by what they can learn. Here are links to two of my favorite sets to incorporate during Black History Month: Best of the Best - Celebrating 25 Black Musicians! and Legends of Jazz.

Learning Through Literature

In college I took a World Religions class and had a wonderful semester learning about cultures, traditions, and people from around the world. One of my favorite elements of the course was our required reading. My professor knew that many/all of the students in her class were born and raised in the Midwest and didn't have much exposure to any of the world religions we would discuss in the course (except for maybe Christianity or Judaism). So, one of the course requirements was to read novels where the main characters believed and practiced one of the world faiths we were studying. The idea was that we would immerse ourselves in a story and get personal insights from the very people who live the religion day in and day out. By reading their narratives we would learn more about the nuance and balance of each faith than we ever would by reading a textbook.

So, I've taken that idea and applied it to my classroom. I try to find books that feature the stories of black musicians, composers, and performers. Even if I can't read them all in class during the month of February I put them out in a place where my students can see them and I share some with my elementary school librarian. I read at least one book to each grade and often I couple them with a guided listening lesson. Below you'll find several examples of books that I use in my classroom!
Here's a longer list with lots of great books to use during Black History Month!
Songs, Games, and Lesson Ideas

There are so many different lessons and songs that you could teach during Black History Month and I'm going to take a moment to focus on two different things: Playground Game Songs and Spirituals.

Playground Game Songs

So many of the game songs, chants, and rhymes that we use in the music room each year find their origins on the playgrounds of African American children. Songs like "Draw Me a Bucket of Water," "Shoo Turkey," "Little Sally Walker," "Charlie Over the Ocean," and "All Round the Brickyard," either originated with the African American community or were made popular and spread widely by black children all over the country. So I teach the songs and the games and then take a moment to make students aware of the history and connections behind the song. When we repeat those songs and play those games we join in to the tradition and honor those children who sang for years before us.

There are a variety of really wonderful resources for African American Game songs. Two books I recommend are "Step It Down" by Bessie Jones and Bess Lomax Hawes and "Juba This and Juba That" by Darlene Powell Hopson and Derek Hopson. You can also find some really wonderful resources for free on the blog Pancocojams which showcases the music, dances, language practices, and customs of African Americans and of other people of black descent throughout the world.

Spirituals

If you choose to teach Spirituals then I would suggest you do more than just sing the song and move on. Take the time to teach a little of the history, vocabulary, and tradition behind each spiritual and explain why it's important. Explain what a drinking gourd is, talk about chariots, go into more detail about the symbolism of rivers. There are so many things that can be easily unpacked for children and they'll come away better for it.

I know that some people hesitate to teach Spirituals because they are connected to slavery and sometimes religion (many mention God or Jesus). I haven't yet met opposition from parents or administration when teaching Spirituals but I'm always ready just in case. I always remind kids that we learn Spirituals because they are an important part of our American heritage. They might detail a dark part of our history, but it's a part that we don't want to forget lest it happen again. On top of that, Spirituals are so important to music history as they led to the development of the Blues and Jazz and also have a place among the American hymn tradition. Here's a great series of resources for teaching Spirituals, their backstory, and vocabulary.

My last suggestion for incorporating Black History Month into your classroom is to be well-equipped. Do your research with the resources you have and/or seek out the books I mentioned above. I've included links to Amazon but you can also look for each book in your local or school library. Do some searching online, ask other teachers in your district, and plan ahead. The best lessons are the ones where you feel confident about the content and process.

Teaching Black History Month in the music room doesn't mean that every lesson every day needs to be all about black history. Include that listening lesson on Louis Armstrong in one grade and the book about Ella Fitzgerald in another. Teach "Miss Mary Mack" to one class and do a unit on Spirituals in another. You can even use these lessons to help fulfill state and national standards about connecting music to history, culture, and other subjects outside the arts. The more you think about ways to include black history into your lessons the better your lessons will become and the more authentic the learning.

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Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of black people in U.S. history. Since the mid 1970s, people in the United States have used the month of February to take a critical look at the way that [...]

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Ella Jenkins
Multi-cultural Children's
Songs

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Book talk

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The Day You Begin #kidsbooksreadaloud #storiesonline #thedayyoubegin #tellyourstory

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Hair Love | Oscar®-Winning Short Film (Full) | Sony Pictures Animation

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NY Times articles & podcast of history in America

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NY Times articles & podcast of history in America

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American slavery began 400 years ago this month. This is referred to as the country’s original sin, but it is more than that: It is the country’s true origin.

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Resoures

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The Vroom! music video storyboard contest is made possible through a collaboration with Wilkins Harley-Davidson and with funding in part from Vermont Arts Council and Vermont Humanities Council.

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The Vroom! music video storyboard contest is made possible through a collaboration with Wilkins Harley-Davidson and with funding in part from Vermont Arts Council and Vermont Humanities Council.