How The Ferguson School in Decatur, GA, is Observing Black History Month

We offer a culturally inclusive STR(reading)EAM program that centers the voices of the global majority in our curriculum at The Ferguson School, a microschool serving children from kindergarten to grade five.

 

That being said, the stories of Black and African history are embedded throughout the curriculum. We don't have particular Black History Month presentations or projects, but we do have specific focus on Black Americans as it relates to student interests.  Below are the resources that we've shared with our community to learn more about Hidden Figures/Events in Black History this month. 

Also, here is a link to our culturally inclusive Social Studies framework.

 

In this month's round-up, we have curated a list of resources that will help you share Black History in a way that creates both mirrors and windows for your child(ren).

Use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the lives of Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks.

• Read Aloud: Because Claudette

• Video:  Claudette Colvin, The OG Rosa Parks

• Read Aloud: Rosa

• Video:  Rosa Parks for Kids 

Research an HBCU. Why would a student choose to attend an HBCU today? How can you and your family support an HBCU--awareness, donation, volunteer, visit?

• Book: The ABCs of HBCUs

• Song: Why an HBCU?

• Video: HBCU ABC

• Video: Storytelling Through Art

Analyze the character traits of Mansa Musa. What adjectives would you use to describe him? Why?

• Video: Story of Mansa Musa

• Video: BrainPop Mansa Musa

• Read Aloud: Mansa Musa Builds a School

• Other Discussion Questions for the story of Mansa Musa:

  • Upper Elementary

  • How does this story of an African king compare to other stories you’ve heard about Africa?

  • How did Mansa Musa cause mass inflation in Egypt?

  • If Mansa Musa were alive today, what do you think he would say about his legacy?

  • The history of Mansa Musa and his wealth is not widely known or taught in schools. Do you think it should be?  Why or why not?

    • Lower Elementary

  • Why was Mali thriving when other parts of the world were struggling?

  • Why did Mansa Musa and his caravan take a really long trip?

  • What happened to the economy in Cario, Egypt when Mansa Musa visited?

  • What do you think it means to be rich?

Create a timeline of events for Black Wall Street (and the Tulsa Massacre).

• Book: The ABCs of Black Wall Street

• Video: Black Wall Street for Kids

• Other Discussion Questions for the story of Black Wall Street:

  • Upper Elementary

  • Why were freedom colonies started in the United States?

  • Why do you think people stated in Greenwood in the early 1900s?

  • Why do you think Black Wall Street was so successful?

  • Do you think the United States would be different today if Black Wall Street stayed so successful?  Explain.

    • Lower Elementary

  • Why did Black people leave and start their own towns and colonies?

  • How many Black residents lived in Greenwood in 1921?

  • What are your thoughts and feelings about Black Wall Street?

  • Why do you think Black Wall Street was so successful?