Creating activities for students to enjoy during Black History Month is a great way to educate elementary school students and create fun projects. These projects can focus on such themes as scientists, artists, Africa, or cooking.
George Washington Carver
Share information with students about the African-American scientist and inventor George Washington Carver. Carver is considered the inventor of peanut butter and other peanut products. Part of being a scientist and inventor is using the scientific method. Discuss with students how peanuts grow and the concept of the scientific method. Share with students pictures of George Washington Carver and other images from his life.
You can then have the class undertake their own science experiment with peanuts. First, make sure there are no students in the class with peanut allergies. For this project there are a couple items needed before working with students such as clean baby food jars, shelled raw or roasted peanuts, salt, sugar, oil, and a food processor.
Explain to students you will be making peanut butter and will also use the scientific method. Experiment with amounts of oil, salt, and sugar needed to create either smooth or chunky peanut butter. Write out observations and conclusions from the experiment, just like an inventor would. Send small amounts of peanut butter home with students to share in small clean baby food containers.
Listening to Martin Luther King, Jr.
Using the website http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm, watch the video of the March on Washington speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. with students. Martin Luther King, Jr. was known for his amazing ability as an orator because of his persuasive and powerful speaking skills. Share with students information about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his life after watching the speech. Then have each student give a short speech in front of the class trying to persuade classmates on a topic of his or her choice.
Africa
With a large map, share with students where Africa is located. Have students locate the United States and discuss how far apart the two landmasses are. Discuss types of transportation that could be used to visit Africa from the United States. Share with students pictures of Africa including the landscapes, cities, and people. Discuss with students how the climate, lifestyle, and environment of Africa is similar to and different from the United States.
Creating an African Mask
Look at examples of African masks. Create African tribal masks with students using such materials as paint, scissors, glue, string, feathers, and heavy construction paper or mat board. Start by cutting out the main shape from construction paper or mat board. Have students determine where eye holes should be and cut them out. Use the other materials to decorate the mask. Encourage students to think of what type of ceremony or celebration the mask would be used for while creating it. When finished, use a hole punch to put holes on sides and tie on pieces of string so the mask can be worn. Have students wear their African masks and have a celebration in the classroom.
Story Quilts with Faith Ringgold
Faith Ringgold is a wonderful African-American artist and storyteller who uses her art to tell stories. Her unique story quilts are full of color and design. Read stories by Faith Ringgold, such as Tar Beach, and look at her story quilts.
Have children create a poem about their childhoods or important events in their lives. Using 9x12 inch white construction paper, measure 3 inches in from each side and draw a rectangle within the three-inch frame. Inside the rectangle, write the poem and draw illustrations around it. Cut squares of old fabric to glue around the outside of the illustration in the 3-inch area to create a story quilt just like Faith Ringgold.
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