February 23, 2016
City Academy has always celebrated Black History Month by recognizing individuals who have made a difference in society. Students typically study historical African-American leaders in the classroom and honor these leaders at school assemblies. But this year, we decided to bring awareness to great local African-American leaders. We want our students to know there are amazing leaders in St. Louis making a real difference in the community.
We are recognizing these local leaders by creating a St. Louis Walk of Fame for our African-American history assembly on February 24. We have spent the school year talking about what community looks like. One way we create community in the school is by having students meet in small “family” groups. These families consist of about ten scholars from all grades, pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Each group chose one African-American leader from St. Louis to research and learn more about. Many of these leaders have graciously accepted invitations to speak at school assemblies and to their family groups. This hands-on approach will be more meaningful to our students and will provide memorable experiences that impact them for the rest of their lives.
The research project is already allowing our students to grow in their confidence and see themselves as leaders. One of the best things that I’ve seen happen with this project so far is that students who often won’t speak up are finding their voices. One child who I know is a great writer but does not often speak in class, told his family group that he has plans to write a book one day and start his own business in St. Louis. If the children get nothing else from this, it’s great for them to see that they can be leaders in their community.
In my fourth grade classroom, we are extending our learning about African-American leaders and what community looks like. All year, fourth graders have learned more about empathy, sympathy, and compassion. We have talked about what it means to take a walk in someone else’s shoes. For Black History Month, we’re learning what it’s like to take a walk in the shoes of a leader in the African-American community.
Each fourth grader chose three historical figures to research. The requirements were that the person had to be an African-American who has made a difference in society, someone that the student does not know much about, and that the person has a defining quote. The students have learned that quotes are important because they’re something that you leave behind to help other people remember you by. Students then had to choose a leader to write a report about and reflect on the quote from the individual.
Many students chose African-American leaders that are familiar to many of us. However, one student chose to research a Kenyan environmental and political activist whom I was unfamiliar with. The activist, Wangari Maathai, was the founder of the Green Belt Movement and the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Maathai was the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree. She used her education to lead efforts for environmental sustainability and eco-system protection in Kenya. It’s great that I am also learning from the students’ projects and interesting to see the students’ reaction when I tell them that they’re teaching me!
These fourth grade research projects have been more than just another assignment for my students. Fourth graders have been serious about this unit while learning more about community and what leadership means. It’s great to see them invest in their projects and take pride in their work. And that’s how I know that we are creating great leaders at City Academy.
Written by Shalawn Fennoy, Fourth Grade Teacher