James makes sure he shows historical figures with others to “expand the story”. Adding that “sometimes with children, especially in kindergartens, they somehow have this interruption, thinking that people live at their own time in time.” For example, she shares images of Rosa parks with Mami Til-MobliActivist and Emmett’s mother to. This approach helps students understand that these figures have not lived in isolation; They were part of wider, interconnected historical movements.
2. Expand beyond your curriculum
When James taught in Missouri, the only black man mentioned in the standards was Martin Luther King, Jr. This often causes teachers to believe that they cannot exceed the necessary curriculum. However, James introduced less well -known figures in his classroom and encouraged teachers to do the same.
A book that James recommended to help teachers expand outside the people who usually include in their curriculum is “ABCs black Story“ From Rio Cortez, which includes many examples of black historical figures on different topics. “This is my best favorite text of black history. If you are a teacher and ask me which picture book to start, I’ll tell you that, “James said. For example, while George Washington Carver is well known, the book also presents other black scientists as Charles Henry TurnerWho studies spiders and bees and is rarely discussed in classrooms.
James advocates to create “powerful people’s sets” that group three or more figures that share a common topic. For example, when teaching about science, a set may include George Washington Carver, Astronaut of NASA May Jemison and zoologs Charles Henry Turner. This strategy is pushing teachers to explore new figures. Picture books For historical figures like “Breath with Questions: Charles Henry Turner’s claimed mind“ From Janice N. Harrington can revive his stories.
3. Learn the truth
James learned a different story about Black panthers At school, than what her uncle, who had first -hand experience, shared with her. While her textbooks presented them as belligerent, her uncle emphasize their contribution to the communityS This is what James taught the importance of teaching the full truth and “let’s not leave a fake story or the only story to enter our classrooms,” she said.
To learn about the black panthers she uses’Change Recipes“ By Michael Platt, who presents 12 dishes inspired by black history, including the GRITS recipe of Black Panthers. The book also emphasizes the work of the Panther Community. James introduces students to the black panther party members as Angela Davis and Erica Hugginswhich are alive and active today.
Similarly, when students learn about the US West, they can only see white cowboys. In fact, 1 in 4 cowboys were blackS James said he presents people, a cowboy set like famous cowboys to ride a rodeo George Fletcher and Bill Pickett and Mary Fields (Also known as StageCoach Mary), the first black woman to be a stars on a star route, can fight deletion in history.
James encourages teachers not to invent the wheel, but to upgrade existing practices. Teachers can begin by thinking of historical figures who already study and find others with similar contributions or interests. Teachers are likely to reveal surprising information that engages students and loads them with black history topics throughout the year.
