Celebrating Black History Month in Secondary
SMCA history classes enjoyed celebrating Black History Month throughout February. Did you know that Black History Month was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926? Initially the event was celebrated during the second week in February which encompassed the birthdays of both President Lincoln and Frederick Douglass–two men who are symbols of American freedom. It has since been expanded to include the entire month of February. Throughout the school year, teachers design assignments within the classroom to recognize contributions and achievements of many who stand out in our shared history to broaden our students’ exposure to great Americans.
Here are some of the projects students have participated in during the past month:
6th Grade Ancient History:
Our 6th graders have been watching “Black History In Two Minutes” each morning. They have enjoyed learning how African Americans impacted and inspired equality in sports, music, politics, education and industry. Their favorite lesson so far was on Brown v. BOE in which they enjoyed a nice discussion of how Ruby Bridges was brave and sacrificed a lot in order for all of us to come together in a safe and diverse class setting. They recently started the Ancient Africa unit and enjoyed learning how Africa was full of rich natural resources that helped civilization thrive on the continent.
The pictures below are of the students completing African Geography maps:
7th Grade World Studies:
Through the study of Renaissance Europe, 7th grade students are learning about the questioning in Europe that led to a radical shift evident through literature, painting, architecture, and education–ultimately leading to the Reformation. In relation to black history, students within this class had the choice between researching a time in history where similar questioning led to change, studying the prominent black figures painted or sculpted in Renaissance art (available here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6fblxa), or through using their own creativity like the Renaissance artists did to depict a world changer in history.
Pictures of students’ projects are below:
7th Grade Christian Women’s History:
In Christian Women’s History, the 7th graders learned all about trailblazing African American women in art, music and STEM. To wrap up this unit, they completed an inspirational banner project in which the students chose an African American woman to research and designed a pennant with interesting facts on it that is displayed in our middle school hall. Some of the women they learned about were: Phillis Wheatley, Coretta Scott King, Mae C. Jemison, Gabby Douglas, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Maria Maynard Dolly, Aretha Franklin, Marylin Anderson, and the Hidden Figures women (Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson).
8th Grade American Republic:
Our 8th graders assessed the impact of African Americans within our local community. Students chose a subject to research and shared their history with the class. Learning history through a local lens is an engaging and powerful way to study the past. Our area has a rich history with many influential stories. Some of the individuals highlighted by the students included: Matthew Henson (arctic explorer), Pastor Kenny Baldwin (pastor and chapel speaker at SMCA), William Diggs (influential educator and co-founder of the African American Heritage Society), Sheriff Troy Berry (Charles County’s first African American sheriff), Rod Milstead (football star), Mary B. Neal (influential educator), Wesley Johnson (Charles County’s first African American firefighter from La Plata VFD), Dr. Diana Abney (pediatrician and Charles County Health Officer), Tony Covington (State Attorney for Charles County), Gus Proctor (retired CCSO deputy and Community Organizer–known for his dedication to Special Olympics), and Elizabeth Keckley (seamstress, civil activist, and author).
9th Grade World History:
Our World History students are studying the Industrial Revolution of both Britain and America. Students were divided into teams to research African American inventors of the time period, present their findings to the class in a presentation, and display a hand-made object of their own to showcase these 19th century trailblazers.
Frederick Douglas Patterson was the first African American male to build an automobile. While competing with the success of Henry Ford, Patterson changed his car company to become the Greenfield Bus Body Company. His concern for providing fine transportation to the community displayed the deep care he had for others. Learn more about Patterson here: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/people-african-american-history/frederick-douglas-patterson-1871-1932/
The pin below was made by a student to represent the badges worn by members of the Knights of Labor Union which welcomed black minorities and women in 1879, while fighting for reasonable work hours and the worker’s compensation we have today. While this union was extremely inclusive for the time period, prejudice toward other people groups still occurred. Learn more about the Knights of Labor here: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/african-americans-and-the-knights-of-labor-1869-1949/
10th Grade Modern U.S. History:
The 10th grade was given a fun Black History Month Choice Board in which they could choose three squares to complete. This allows students to follow different learning pathways as they explore the material. Students presented one of their choices to the class. Afterwards, all of the students created airplanes to race down the hallway (even if that was not one of their choices) in honor of Bessie Coleman.
11th Grade Government:
Our Government class has enjoyed lively discussions on historic court cases and amendments that have significantly improved the lives of African Americans, like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Loving v. Virginia, Brown v. Board of Education, the significance of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments and their move to abolish slavery as well as what we can continue to do in government to promote equality.
12th Grade Honors Human Geography:
Honors Human Geography is working on their culture unit and cultural projects, in which they examined and explored the diffusion of popular African American culture, African folk cultures and the impact this diffusion has had on our lives.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this snapshot of what students have been learning over the past month. We remember and celebrate the work of God in and through the lives of influential African Americans. Christians have served in many capacities in which they have powerfully impacted society. If you get a chance, schedule a visit to the African American Heritage Society of Charles County!
-Mrs. Gilroy, Secondary History Teacher