Black History Month Announcements

Author: Sarah White

Grade Level: 6 - 12

Subject/Content: Social Studies

Summary of Lesson: Students will use research to create announcements to share with the school throughout Black History Month.

Focus Question: How have Black Americans impacted our history, culture and development as a nation?

Database(s): Gale's Lucent Library of Black History (If this series is not available the information is also accessible in Gale's Student Resource Center database).

Procedures:

1. Assign students topics using this list
2. Make arrangements for student announcements and assign students day to present
3. Allow students time to research using the focus sheets provided
4. Allow students time to write and finalize their presentations
5. Have students peer edit presentations

Steps/Activities by student(s):

1. Students use resources above to complete the research outline
2. Students complete research summary for school announcements or class presentation
3. Students design and complete poster if desired by teacher
4. Students peer edit summaries and posters and make appropriate corrections
5. Students practice for announcement or class presentations
6. Students complete presentations

Outcome: Students educate themselves and their peers to the contributions of African Americans.

Related Activities: Students may create hallway display of posters.

Standard Date: November 18, 2006

Content Standard(s):

• Demonstrate the value of cultural diversity, as well as cohesion, within and across groups
• Interpret patterns of behavior reflecting values and attitudes that contribute or pose obstacles to cross-cultural understanding
• Articulate personal connections to time, place and social/cultural systems
• Identify, describe and express appreciation for the influences of various historical and contemporary cultures on an individual's daily life
• Describe the ways family, religion, gender, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status and other group and cultural influences contribute to the development of a sense of self
• Locate, access, analyze, organize, synthesize, evaluate and apply information about selected public issues — identifying, describing and evaluating multiple points of view
• Practice forms of civic discussion and participation consistent with the ideals of citizens in a democratic republic
• Participate in activities to strengthen the "common good," based upon careful evaluation of possible options for citizen action

Performance Indicators:

• At Level 1, the student is able to:
• Identify several significant Black Americans in U.S. History
• At Level 2, the student is able to:
• Explain the importance and contributions of Black Americans in U.S. society
• At Level 3, the student is able to:
• Educate others about the importance of Black Americans in our society

Information Power; Information Literacy Standards:

• Standard 1: The student who is information literate accesses information efficiently and effectively
• Standard 2: The student who is information literate evaluates information critically and competently
• Standard 3: The student who is information literate uses information accurately and creatively
• Standard 7: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and recognizes the importance of information to a democratic society
• Standard 9: The student who contributes positively to the learning community and to society is information literate and participates effectively in groups to pursue and generate information