Teaching Beyond MLK

As I peruse different online sites for materials to purchase and use with my first graders, I am struck by how often the same types of studies come up over and over.  As teachers, we are incredibly diverse in our approach to pedagogy and practice.  Any child can be taught to read, but we would agree that there are many ways to get them there.  When it comes to teaching about Black History, though, I humbly submit that there is a one size fits all approach.  The same names come up over and over, as if we as a teaching community can not strive to find untold or at least less often told stories.

There's something sweet about the Ruby Bridges story, is there not?  The braids, the bows, the sweet little dresses and Mary Jane shoes.  Students identify with her story because we tell them about her life as a child and show them pictures of her at the time that her story is generally unfolded.  It was certainly a very difficult time in American history and students are usually appalled at the treatment that Ruby received. I rarely encounter teachers discussing the advocacy work she did as an adult.

Ruby Bridges as an adult.

I'm not saying that there's no need for these stories.  They are important, and they are relevant.

I would ask though...why are we still teaching these same people in basically the same way...with the same emphasis in upper elementary grades?

Consider THIS image.

This photo is the work of Eunique Jones Gibson.  See more of her photos HERE.

Over the last few years, I've been more intentional in my approach to teaching cultural studies in my classroom.  One of the ways that I've exposed my students to other relevant historical figures is through my fluency passages.  This year, I'll be sharing these photographs from Eunique's work with my students as well.  I love this message!  Because of THEM, we can...fill in the blank!  Because of the Tuskegee Airmen, black men and women can serve their country with distinction.  Because of these airmen, black men were finally given the opportunity to prove that they were as vital to the war effort as their white counterparts.  I could go on and on.  

I know that as a teacher of color, I am very comfortable discussing these things...even with my primary aged students.  It gives me a great deal of pride in my heritage when I am able to show how successful men and women of color have been, and continue to be.  If it inspires me, I believe that it would also inspire my young black students.  I further think that it helps my young white students develop empathy. 

So, maybe at this point you are thinking...you know what, Tamara?  I've never really looked into the story of the Tuskeegee Airmen, but I'd like to try!
Have you read this book by Angela Johnson?
Try it with your class!
Her illustrator Loren Long is also the illustrator of two of my other favorite books...the Otis series, and 'Of Thee I Sing' by Barack Obama.

Click on the image to be directed to the book on Amazon.

Maybe show your students some photographs of the airmen.
Show them some photos of the airmen from Tuskegee University's site!

Click HERE to be directed to some photographs of the airmen.

This fluency passage would make a great in class read aloud, but you could also send it home for homework!

Want this sample for your students?  CLICK HERE.

I love to share new topics with my students.  I hope that this text and this fluency passage will start you on a wonderful journey to studying more about the Tuskegee Airmen and their bravery.

If you are interested in exploring other topics to study with your students, here is the list of the passage titles from my second grade black history month series.  There are lots of different people to study.  Some from the Civil War era, both white and black...but I also added a few modern day heroes as well.

Click HERE to see the second grade passages in my store.

If you need some quality fluency passages on Black History Month, this set is available for purchase in my store along with my set for first graders too! :)

Click HERE to view the first grade passages.

I've linked up with some other second grade bloggers who have other ideas for the month of January! :)  Check out the way that they are teaching early winter themes in their rooms this month! :) 

An InLinkz Link-up