BLACK HISTORY WEEK
WHAT ARE YOUR ROOTS?
15th – 19th NOVEMBER 2011
INTRODUCTION
What is Black History Week?
Many schools, libraries and community organisations will be celebrating Black History Month during October. Because this is our first year, we thought we would
start with a week, the 15th to th 19th of November. In an ideal world, the week would not be necessary, because schools and the national curriculum would fully
recognise and appreciate the contribution of black people throughout history. Sadly that is not the case. This week is an opportunity to share with the world the
vast contribution of the black community: a time to demonstrate pride in its creativity, respect for its intellectual prowess and a celebration of its cultural
identity.
What will the theme be?
This year we would like to base our black history week around the theme of roots, by learning about the roots of the black community, we can all ask ourselves,
what are our roots? We are hoping to start the week off with a bang in the Friday assembly before the week begins. Then each activity will tie in some way to
the timeline of black history.
What activities are planned?
Food: Pat and Coleen and Cucina will be serving a range of African and Afro-Caribbean inspired dinners at lunch times.
Music: Emma Cooper will be teaching the children all about the inspirations and personalities behind The Blues and Slave/Spirituals in Music. Della Spencer will
do workshops for each class on the evolution of black music and dance, focussing on present day British pop. Jamal will do a workshop for all children in KS2 on
Caribbean Steel Pans.
Storytelling and drama: Della will do a workshop on traditional African stories.
Art: Della will be doing workshops on the contribution of black people to graffiti and fashion.
Inspiration: We will be asking some members of the local community to come into school and speak to the children about their own inspirational stories.
What do I need to do?
I would like each teacher to do two things: 1) Present a brief lesson on a black historical figure linked to their theme 2) plan a follow up activity from Della’s
Workshop. See table on next page. We would like to present our learning (briefly!!) at the Friday Assembly.
SUGGESTED CLASS BASED LESSON AND FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY
Class
Reception
Years 1a, 1b and 2
Years 3 and 4
Years 5 and 6
Theme of Della’s Workshop
Drama: The story of Anansi
The evolution of black music (rap/hiphop) and dance
Graffiti and Fashion
Slavery and Civil Rights (in class)
Possible Figures for Lesson
None
A bit older: Bob Marley (Reggae
artist), Aretha Franklin, Ella
Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, etc.
Modern: Jamelia (pop artist),
Alexandra Burke (pop x-factor
winner), Benjamin Zephaniah (spoken
word/poetry), Dizzee Rascal (hip-hop)
Graffiti: Yinka Shonibare (Disabled
artist, MBE),
Fashion: Naomi Campbell (british
model), Bruce Oldfield (designer grew
up in children’s home), Jourdan Dunn
(model, first black model in ten years
for Prada).Duro Olowu (designer),
Edward Enninful (designer)
Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King,
Roots characters,
Possible Follow up Activity
Art and Craft around Spiders
Make a large class collage of a popular
Black musician.
Listen to his/her music & invent a
dance.
Practice a spoken poem/rap.
Benjamin Zeph is good for this!
Paint t-shirts with Graffiti and have a
fashion show.
Design a new piece of clothing.
Research and project.
BLACK HISTORY WEEK WHOLE SCHOOL TIMETABLE
TUE
16th
Year 1a
Della Spencer
Evolution of Music and Dance
Hall
9:15 – 10:30
Reception
Della Spencer
The Anansi Story
Library
11:00 – 12:00
WED
17th
Year 3
Della Spencer
Graffiti and Fashion
Classroom
9:45 – 10:30
FRI
19th
Inspire Assembly:
TBA
Year 3
Jamal
Steel Pan Workshop
Hall 9:30 – 10:30
Whole school
Celebration
assembly
THUR
18th
Year 5
Emma Cooper
Blues/Slave/Spiritual
Classroom
Year 3
Della Spencer
Graffiti and Fashion
Classroom
11:00 – 12:00
Year 4
Jamal
Steel Pan Workshop
Hall
11:00 – 12:00
Music as normal
Emma Cooper
Blues/Slave/Spirituals
LUNCH
Afro-Caribbean and African dishes.
Drop in workshops Year 5 12:30 – 1:00 Tue to Friday
Music as normal
Emma Cooper
Blues/Slave/Spirituals
BREAK 10:45 – 11:00
Music as normal
Emma Cooper
Blues/Slave/Spirituals
Inspire
Assembly:
Della
MON
15th
No assembly
Whole school
assembly
Anne & Jared
Introduce week
Inspirational
black sports
stars assembly
FRI
12th
Year 1b
Della Spencer
Evolution of Music and Dance
Hall
1:15 – 2:30
Year 4
Della Spencer
Graffiti and Fashion
1:15 – 3:00
Year 5
Jamal
Steel Pan Workshop
Hall
1:10 – 2:10
Year 6
Jamal
Steel Pan Workshop
Hall
2:10 - 3:10
Please Return to Jared by Tue 9th Nov
YEAR GROUP: _____________________________
HISTORICAL FIGURE: _______________________
FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY: ______________________
WHAT RESOURCES DO YOU NEED ME TO ORDER?
I’ll need this by Friday 5th/Mon 8th if ESPO order.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
BREAK
LUNCH
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
That’s just about it! Please can you let me know if you would like any changes…this is all really flexible. When you’ve decided on your class based
lesson and follow up activity can you pop in what and when you are doing things in this timetable. You can also do it electronically, have e-mailed
this as well. And….thank you!