Celebrating Black History Month At PCA
Black History Month is “an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.” In 1915 Harvard historian Dr. Carver G. Woodson and minister, Jessi E. Mooreland developed the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization whose purpose was to bring to focus the achievements of Black Americans as well as others of African decent.
It took more than 50 years of work before Black History Month became a vital part of curriculum in schools and celebrations in communities around the nation. In 1976 Black History Month was officially recognized by President Gerald Ford who asked citizens to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Following the traditions set forth by Dr. Woodson, Pastor Mooreland, as well as President Ford, PCA is celebrating Black History month by focusing on the works of Black Americans across its grade level curriculums.
In the elementary school hall, second grade teacher Leesa Welch is spotlighting historical figures though stories and activities. One man being George Washington Carver and how he came up with over 300 uses for the peanut!
Art teacher Anna Boyer’s elementary classes are taking the classic story, Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold, and recreating the illustrations with drawings of themselves. “The children are drawing and painting themselves flying over NYC,” said Boyer, “as we discuss what we would like to see changed in the world and our lives.”
Coach John Harris’ 6th and 7th grade Leadership classes focused on Black and African Americans through the Black Inventor research and poster project. Students chose an inventor such as Augustus Jackson, Madam C.J. Walker, T.W. Stewart, and Otis Boykin, researched their accomplishments, and presented their findings via an informative poster. When asked to name an interesting fact she learned by doing this assignment, 7th grader Luci Noce said, “I learned there were more black inventors than we can ever count. More than I ever knew.”
Other greats such as James Weldon who wrote the poem, “The Creation” and great musical artists such as Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong along with many other historical figures are also being celebrated throughout PCA classrooms this month.