During Black History Month, High Road staff and students engaged in a variety of learning activities focused on acknowledging and appreciating the contributions of African Americans to our society, history, and culture. In learning about these individuals and their legacies, we recognized the struggles and sacrifices faced by African Americans throughout history, while also celebrating their resilience, achievements, and cultural heritage. Here are some of the highlights:
In the elementary classrooms, Ms. Tiffany’s students enjoyed watching “The Princess and the Frog,” a Disney movie notable for its strong Black female representation, providing valuable representation and inspiration for our young learners. Mr. Casey and Ms. Mey guided students in studying the art of Lois Mailou Jones and learning about the lives and contributions of iconic figures like Rosa Parks and Madam C.J. Walker.
Some of the activities in the middle school program included creating flip books of famous protesters, while learning about the struggles and achievements of African Americans in advocating for social change during civil rights movements. Exploring movies such as “42,” “Harriet,” and “Ruby Bridges” offered students a cinematic lens through which to delve into significant moments and figures in Black history. Ms. Hannah utilized guided reading activities focused on notable figures like George Washington Carver and Garrett Morgan to foster critical thinking skills and historical understanding.
During a virtual field trip to the Charles H. Wright Black History Museum, Ms. Bell’s students were exposed to curated exhibitions and artifacts that highlighted the diverse experiences and contributions of African Americans throughout history. Ms. Kristi’s high schoolers gained context and understanding of the complexities of race and ethnicity while studying social identities, bias, systems of oppression, and historical foundations of race. They also created timelines focused on Black military members, musicians, and singers to provide students with a visual representation of the diverse contributions of African Americans across various fields.
While February has drawn to a close, the learning doesn’t end there as, in the words, of Karyn Parsons, “Black history isn’t a separate history. This is all of our history, this is American history, and we need to understand it.”
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