According University of North Carolina School of Education, "Curriculum developers, textbook writers, and educators try to work the African American experience into their U.S. History materials, but the ways that they do so (especially in older texts) can fall far short of full integration.”
A teacher can open the eyes of their students to the history, culture and experience of Africans and their descendents through well thought-out lessons as well as classroom discussions. Historical facts about black history, that were before unknown, can allow students to see the story of blacks in a more positive light than before.
African History
In America, many people do not think of African history before the slave trade. Before Americans and Europeans came to Africa, before the beginning of the slave trade to America, European nations and European colonies, Africa was a continent steeped in rich culture and history.
The many great, ancient African kingdoms are a prime example of the rich history of the African continent that is often ignored. Teachers can create lesson plans around the black pharaohs of Egypt. During this lesson, teachers show the pupils that Egypt is on the African continent, a continent that had many ancient kingdoms. Many of these kingdoms were extensive and wealthy.
Lessons can be dedicated to the kingdoms of Songhay, Benin and Kush. Students can learn about the extensive reach of the 2,000 mile Songhay empire. They can be introduced to the fact that the people of this kingdom were educated and valued books.
Students may be interested to learn that the kingdom of Benin began BC and did not end until it was defeated by the British in the 1800’s. Teachers can introduce their pupils to the pyramids that were a part of the Kushite Empire. Students can explore the conquests of the Kushite kingdom and how these conquests led to ancient Egypt.
Black Inventors
Black inventors have made a significant impact on how humans now live. Teachers can introduce their students to Garrett Morgan, the man who invented the gas mask and the stop light. Pupils can learn that the potato chip was unintentionally invented by George Crum, a black cook. Students can learn that Frederick McKinley Jones invented refrigeration in trucks. This invention made it possible to transport produce, meat and milk products across long distances.
Music and Black History
Slaves, connecting to their African musical roots, began to use songs, known as spirituals, not only to speak of their faith in God but also to help each other know the way to freedom. Teachers can explore, with their students, particular spirituals. Together teachers and students can look at the words and message of songs such as “Follow the Drinking Gourd”, a spiritual that instructed slaves to follow the North Star to freedom.
Lesson time can be spent looking at how the music of Africa still affects the music produced by many black artists today. In order to avoid negative stereotypes, teachers may steer away from rap music and focus on jazz and rhythms and blues (R&B). Teachers can also take a look at black music from around the world as part of this lesson.
Black Culture Around the World
Students may find it interesting to learn about different black cultures from around the world. Teachers can plan a lesson around Brazil. This country has the largest number of blacks in the world, outside of Africa. Time should be spent on the black cultures of the Caribbean as well as the effect on Latin America’s culture. Students may also find it educational to talk about European blacks as well.
Lessons for Everyone
Lessons should be created to foster discussion. For students who are of African descent, the lessons should reinforce a sense of pride in their history. For pupils who are not of African descent, the lessons should bring aspects of black culture and history into perspective that is in contrast with the images the media often place in the black culture. All lessons should open meaningful, age-appropriate discussions for the students.
Author Sunil S.
A teacher can open the eyes of their students to the history, culture and experience of Africans and their descendents through well thought-out lessons as well as classroom discussions. Historical facts about black history, that were before unknown, can allow students to see the story of blacks in a more positive light than before.
African History
In America, many people do not think of African history before the slave trade. Before Americans and Europeans came to Africa, before the beginning of the slave trade to America, European nations and European colonies, Africa was a continent steeped in rich culture and history.
The many great, ancient African kingdoms are a prime example of the rich history of the African continent that is often ignored. Teachers can create lesson plans around the black pharaohs of Egypt. During this lesson, teachers show the pupils that Egypt is on the African continent, a continent that had many ancient kingdoms. Many of these kingdoms were extensive and wealthy.
Lessons can be dedicated to the kingdoms of Songhay, Benin and Kush. Students can learn about the extensive reach of the 2,000 mile Songhay empire. They can be introduced to the fact that the people of this kingdom were educated and valued books.
Students may be interested to learn that the kingdom of Benin began BC and did not end until it was defeated by the British in the 1800’s. Teachers can introduce their pupils to the pyramids that were a part of the Kushite Empire. Students can explore the conquests of the Kushite kingdom and how these conquests led to ancient Egypt.
Black Inventors
Black inventors have made a significant impact on how humans now live. Teachers can introduce their students to Garrett Morgan, the man who invented the gas mask and the stop light. Pupils can learn that the potato chip was unintentionally invented by George Crum, a black cook. Students can learn that Frederick McKinley Jones invented refrigeration in trucks. This invention made it possible to transport produce, meat and milk products across long distances.
Music and Black History
Slaves, connecting to their African musical roots, began to use songs, known as spirituals, not only to speak of their faith in God but also to help each other know the way to freedom. Teachers can explore, with their students, particular spirituals. Together teachers and students can look at the words and message of songs such as “Follow the Drinking Gourd”, a spiritual that instructed slaves to follow the North Star to freedom.
Lesson time can be spent looking at how the music of Africa still affects the music produced by many black artists today. In order to avoid negative stereotypes, teachers may steer away from rap music and focus on jazz and rhythms and blues (R&B). Teachers can also take a look at black music from around the world as part of this lesson.
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Black Culture Around the World
Students may find it interesting to learn about different black cultures from around the world. Teachers can plan a lesson around Brazil. This country has the largest number of blacks in the world, outside of Africa. Time should be spent on the black cultures of the Caribbean as well as the effect on Latin America’s culture. Students may also find it educational to talk about European blacks as well.
Lessons for Everyone
Lessons should be created to foster discussion. For students who are of African descent, the lessons should reinforce a sense of pride in their history. For pupils who are not of African descent, the lessons should bring aspects of black culture and history into perspective that is in contrast with the images the media often place in the black culture. All lessons should open meaningful, age-appropriate discussions for the students.
Author Sunil S.
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