Overview of Black History Month
YouTube link to several biographies.
According to the Library of Congress' website, quoted in its entirety here:
National African American History Month in February celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our Nation's history.
National African American History Month had its origins in 1915 when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This organization is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (“ASALH”). Through this organization Dr. Woodson initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926. Dr. Woodson selected the week in February that included the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two key figures in the history of African Americans.
In 1975, President Ford issued a Message on the Observance of Black History Week urging all Americans to "recognize the important contribution made to our nation's life and culture by black citizens." In 1976 this commemoration of black history in the United States was expanded by ASALH to Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, and President Ford issued the first Message on the Observance of Black History Month that year. In subsequent years, Presidents Carter and Reagan continued to issue Messages honoring African American History Month.
In 1986 Congress passed Public Law 99-244 (PDF, 142KB) which designated February 1986 as "National Black (Afro-American) History Month.” This law noted that February 1, 1986 would “mark the beginning of the sixtieth annual public and private salute to Black History.” The law further called upon to President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe February 1986 as Black History Month with the appropriate ceremonies and activities. President Reagan issuedPresidential Proclamation 5443 which proclaimed that “the foremost purpose of Black History Month is to make all Americans aware of this struggle for freedom and equal opportunity.” This proclamation stated further that this month was a time “to celebrate the many achievements of African Americans in every field from science and the arts to politics and religion."
In January 1996, President Clinton issued Presidential Proclamation 6863 for “National African American History Month." The proclamation emphasized the theme for that year, the achievements of black women from Sojourner Truth to Mary McLeod Bethune and Toni Morrison. In February 1996 the Senate passed Senate Resolution 229 commemorating Black History Month and the contributions of African American U.S. Senators.
Since 1996, Presidents have issued annual proclamations for National African American History Month. On February 1, 2011 President Obama issued a Proclamation reflecting on this year’s theme of “African Americans and the Civil War” as we commemorate the sesquicentennial of the beginning of the Civil War.
Student Assignment--Debate and poster project
Students will research an assigned historical figure using a class text set and web research. Using their research, students must be prepared to do the following:
1. Pursuade the audience through debate against another student/group that their historical figure had the most impact/influence on American history.
2. Create a poster educating the class about the accomplishments of their historical figure.
The assignment can be found here.
Students in the classroom will vote to declare the "winner" of each debate. The declared winner will then advance to the next round in a March Madness Style Tournament dubbed the "Fantastic (Historical) Figures Tournament".
As an alternate assignment, students may be asked to contribute to a class Google slide show or to create their own Weebly page on their assigned historical figure.
Some Useful Links for this project:
history.com
biography.com
African American Web Connection
Biographies of famous African Americans
Collection of resources on famous African Americans
Brief snippets on famous African Americans
YouTube link to several biographies.
According to the Library of Congress' website, quoted in its entirety here:
National African American History Month in February celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our Nation's history.
National African American History Month had its origins in 1915 when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This organization is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (“ASALH”). Through this organization Dr. Woodson initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926. Dr. Woodson selected the week in February that included the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two key figures in the history of African Americans.
In 1975, President Ford issued a Message on the Observance of Black History Week urging all Americans to "recognize the important contribution made to our nation's life and culture by black citizens." In 1976 this commemoration of black history in the United States was expanded by ASALH to Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, and President Ford issued the first Message on the Observance of Black History Month that year. In subsequent years, Presidents Carter and Reagan continued to issue Messages honoring African American History Month.
In 1986 Congress passed Public Law 99-244 (PDF, 142KB) which designated February 1986 as "National Black (Afro-American) History Month.” This law noted that February 1, 1986 would “mark the beginning of the sixtieth annual public and private salute to Black History.” The law further called upon to President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe February 1986 as Black History Month with the appropriate ceremonies and activities. President Reagan issuedPresidential Proclamation 5443 which proclaimed that “the foremost purpose of Black History Month is to make all Americans aware of this struggle for freedom and equal opportunity.” This proclamation stated further that this month was a time “to celebrate the many achievements of African Americans in every field from science and the arts to politics and religion."
In January 1996, President Clinton issued Presidential Proclamation 6863 for “National African American History Month." The proclamation emphasized the theme for that year, the achievements of black women from Sojourner Truth to Mary McLeod Bethune and Toni Morrison. In February 1996 the Senate passed Senate Resolution 229 commemorating Black History Month and the contributions of African American U.S. Senators.
Since 1996, Presidents have issued annual proclamations for National African American History Month. On February 1, 2011 President Obama issued a Proclamation reflecting on this year’s theme of “African Americans and the Civil War” as we commemorate the sesquicentennial of the beginning of the Civil War.
Student Assignment--Debate and poster project
Students will research an assigned historical figure using a class text set and web research. Using their research, students must be prepared to do the following:
1. Pursuade the audience through debate against another student/group that their historical figure had the most impact/influence on American history.
2. Create a poster educating the class about the accomplishments of their historical figure.
The assignment can be found here.
Students in the classroom will vote to declare the "winner" of each debate. The declared winner will then advance to the next round in a March Madness Style Tournament dubbed the "Fantastic (Historical) Figures Tournament".
As an alternate assignment, students may be asked to contribute to a class Google slide show or to create their own Weebly page on their assigned historical figure.
Some Useful Links for this project:
history.com
biography.com
African American Web Connection
Biographies of famous African Americans
Collection of resources on famous African Americans
Brief snippets on famous African Americans
Student Assignment--Creating a poster timeline on the African-American Migration Experience
Students will use the website for the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture and their online project "In Motion" to complete a classroom timeline on the different migrations that make up American History. Each group, out of 13 groups, will be responsible for creating a poster that informs and expands knowledge on the assigned migration for their fellow students. Each poster will combine to make a timeline that encompasses our country's history. The poster must include: an image/illustration from the time period, title, full description in the students' words, further elaboration on how life looked in that time period, and the importance of this migration to black history. The poster will be required to be neat, colorful, and informative.
To find all the information for this project, please research using this site. You will need to click on your assigned migration, then click on the images, maps, and texts. Clicking on each image will give you even more information.
Students will use the website for the Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture and their online project "In Motion" to complete a classroom timeline on the different migrations that make up American History. Each group, out of 13 groups, will be responsible for creating a poster that informs and expands knowledge on the assigned migration for their fellow students. Each poster will combine to make a timeline that encompasses our country's history. The poster must include: an image/illustration from the time period, title, full description in the students' words, further elaboration on how life looked in that time period, and the importance of this migration to black history. The poster will be required to be neat, colorful, and informative.
To find all the information for this project, please research using this site. You will need to click on your assigned migration, then click on the images, maps, and texts. Clicking on each image will give you even more information.
Student Assignment--Analyzing the Atlantic Slave Trade
Students will create a 3 part timeline using an assigned reading on the Atlantic Slave Trade. Each group will be responsible for interpreting and making a presentation (on either poster or construction paper).
The assignment, in its entirety, and research information can be found here.
The reading excerpts for this project are available here.
Students, as an alternative, may be asked to complete double-entry journals on the reading.
Students will create a 3 part timeline using an assigned reading on the Atlantic Slave Trade. Each group will be responsible for interpreting and making a presentation (on either poster or construction paper).
The assignment, in its entirety, and research information can be found here.
The reading excerpts for this project are available here.
Students, as an alternative, may be asked to complete double-entry journals on the reading.
Epic Rap Battles in History
Students will research Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. They must produce a fact sheet about each man. Using these facts sheets, students must prepare for a classroom discussion on the efficacy of each man's views. Students will also produce, on video, their own rap about the two men in the style of "Epic Rap Battles".
Epic Rap Battle Project with rubric
Students will research Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois. They must produce a fact sheet about each man. Using these facts sheets, students must prepare for a classroom discussion on the efficacy of each man's views. Students will also produce, on video, their own rap about the two men in the style of "Epic Rap Battles".
Epic Rap Battle Project with rubric