It is February, a time when we honor Black Americans and their contributions to the United States. Throughout the month, our school will have special activities that teach our children about the pioneers in art, dance, music, basketball, boxing, track, science, writing and the most influential Black Americans in history.
There are so many ways that you can honor, celebrate and learn about Black History. And there are many facts and names that we should know more about. Did you know?:
George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist and inventor. He was the first African American to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree.
Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to Congress in the 1960’s.
Claudette Colvin was a brave 15-year-old that refused to sit at the back of the bus and the first woman detained for her resistance.
Jesse Owens was a track star that set a world record in the long jump in the 1963 Olympic Games.
Ruby Bridge’s courage led to the integration of school in the South.
Black History Month provides us with opportunities to teach our children the values of a respect, tolerance and appreciation of our differences. Over the next few weeks we will post activities that you can do at home with your family to celebrate Black History.
Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
Visit the local library and check out books to read aloud at home.
Research and create your own museum to honor Black Americans.
Go on a fact hunt! Research the first African American player drafted in the NBA? Did George Carver Washington really invent peanut butter? Find the only baseball player to hit 500 home runs. Who was Mae Jemison?
Play jazz, blues, gospel or soul music and celebrate the accomplishments of Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Prince and Marvin Gaye.
Visit the Louis Armstrong House Museum or take a virtual tour.
Take a virtual walk through the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Read aloud The ABC’s of Black History, Little Leaders Bold Women in Black History or Who Was Jackie Robinson?
Talk about the first Black Americans to play in the MLB. Baseball season is right around the corner and there is so much to be learned from their experiences and challenges.
Visit the National Museum of African American History & Culture and take a virtual tour.
Read, Explore, Talk, Dance, Listen & Learn
I hope you have fun this month learning about Black History with your children. When my children were young, we loved to cuddle up with books and read together. This was a special time for us to talk, ask questions, listen and learn about all kinds of topics. Reading with your children will help them develop a love of books, reading and learning that will last a lifetime. Teaching them about Black History will help them understand and appreciate the history, culture and accomplishments of Black Americans to our country.
Let us know how you celebrated this month! Take a video clip or picture of you and your family dancing, listening, exploring, researching, talking, reading and learning together. We would love to post and share all the fun activities you are doing. Email pictures or videos to Lorie Lee, llee@e3va.org
