Banner with black background and white text reading "Language and literature" and "Black History Month 2023."

  • Throughout the month of February, students across the district will be learning about the achievements, contributions and efforts of African Americans to the fields of language and literature, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), arts and music, and social studies and political science. This first week, Jan. 30-Feb. 3, we're focusing on language and literature.

     

    Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School: Bravery in Action

    Letter to Ruby Bridges: I will fight for you. You are so strong, brave and lovely. You are so great. I am 8 years old.Students in Mrs. Brianna Torres's first-grade class learned about Ruby Bridges, the first Black child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in Louisiana in 1960. The class discussed "how she was brave and that even first-graders have the ability to impact the world, Torres said. Students then wrote a letter to Ruby expressing their admiration for her brave actions. 

     

     

     

    EPS Cyber Choice Academy/PJD Student Success Center @ Emerson-Gridley: Busting Stereotypes

    Tenth-grader Neriyah McLaurin penned "I am Me," a thoughtful and powerful poem that dismantles stereotypes and screams confidence.
    Poem "I am Me," by Neriyah McLaurin.

     

    Perry Elementary School: Follow the Leader

    Kindergarten and first-grade students read several stories about Martin Luther King, Jr., watched his "I Have a Dream" speech and completed coloring pages honoring the civil rights hero.

    Nine coloring pages with pictures of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., displayed on a wall.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Wilson Middle School: Focus on Research and Writing

    Eighth graders in Ms. Julie Kuhar's English Language Arts class were tasked with researching and writing about a Black person who they find interesting and who has contributed positively to society. Among the subjects chosen: Benjamin Banneker, CJ Walker, Flo Hyman, Mamie Smith, Mary Winston Jackson and others. 

    Student D'Miyah Naylor wrote about CJ Walker, a self-made businesswoman and activist.

    Photo of a Word doc outlining an essay on CJ Walker

     

    Edison Elementary School: Show What You Know

    Poster showing biographical facts about Langston HughesKarlie Nagy's fourth-graders had fun learning about poet, novelist and activist Langston Hughes and created a poster using Canva, a graphic design website, to show what they know.

     

    Jefferson Elementary School: History through Images

    Jefferson's second-graders created a bulletin board with a plethora of famous African Americans. Poet and activist Amanda Gorman is front and center. Students drew pictures and wrote about, "I am the Change the World Needs" in her honor.

    Bulletin board created by students showcasing poet and activist Amanda Gorman

    McKinley Elementary School: Language Through Music

    Graphic that says "Black People Who Change the World," links to YouTube video of song.Kindergarten students at McKinley are listening to two song videos each morning before beginning the day as they learn to express themselves using postive words. The end goal is to record a video of the students singing and dancing to the "Black People Who Change the World" song. Click on the photo at left.

     

     

     


    Harding Elementary School: The Power of Poetry

    Graphic with three Black fists, raised, and text reading "Black History Month"

    Harding fifth-graders took a deep dive into the poetry of Maya Angelo. Click on the image at right to watch a video.  

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Strong Vincent Middle School: Roots of Rap

    Photo of student looking at a projected image detailing the four pillars of hip hop. Sixth graders are learning about the Roots of Rap in their ELA classes, including the four pillars of hip hop: deejaying, rapping/rhyming, graffiti painting, and break dancing.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Lincoln Elementary School: Leading with the Heart

    Photo shows several pieces of student-created art made of torn paper of different brown tones made into the shape of hearts.

    Lincoln kindergartners read a book on MLK Jr. and learned about his quote, "I have decided to stick with love." Students then each created a heart to represent the quote showing a variety of beautiful skin tones.