Getting students growing up in an era that has seen the election of a black president and the rise of Hispanics as America’s largest minority group to understand the era of segregation can be a tough job for an educator.
“It can be difficult,” said Sharon Kelley, principal of Kelly Springs Elementary School. “My kids were born in ’ 82 and ’ 77 , and even they had trouble understanding it. When we first explained it to them, they got really upset.”
During February’s Black History Month, teachers have worked to help students learn about the nation’s past in a way that allows them to apply lessons learned from the black experience in America to issues they may face.
“Black History Month is still relevant because we still have things to learn about the civil rights movement itself and applying what we’ve learned to the future,” Kelley said. “It’s about letting everyone know that we are all worthy of the American Dream.”
Students at Kelly Springs have participated in a number of activities this month to help them better understand black history. Third-graders recently visited the Rosa Parks museum in Montgomery to learn more about the civil rights legend.
“I learned she was a brave person and did a lot of things that some people didn’t want her to do,” 8-year-old Sierra Anderson said. “I think she did the right thing on that bus.”
Kaitlin Clements, 9, said, “I think it was kind of amazing that she could do something like that.”
Dion Davis, a third grade teacher, said an important part of the lessons about black history was to avoid creating divisions among students based on past events, but instead to help students understand America’s history of race relations and avoid repeating past injustices.
Students in Lisa Weston’s LinC classes have been rehearsing for a play about the contributions of black inventors.
Westin said drama is a useful learning tool because it engages students and helps them to better retain information.
“It’s just a fun way to learn,” she said.
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