Students’ research yields interesting finds for Black History Month
MADISON – Elementary school students in Madison observed Black History Month with research about people and accomplishments during the last two centuries.
At Columbia Elementary School, students sat cross-legged on the assembly room’s floor to listen to guest speaker, Mr. Raphael. With a sea of hands raised, the youngsters thought of many questions to ask him about his experiences.
“He showed us that ‘The more we know our history, the more powerful we become!’” according to Facebook/Madison City Schools. “He shared what life would be like without our historical figures. He encouraged us all to go and become history and use our talents and knowledge to help our world.”
First-grade teacher Angela Baptiste coordinated his visit.
During February, third-graders at Horizon Elementary School learned about important historical figures who helped define today’s world. They also learned about the history of Mardi Gras, which originated in Mobile and later spread to New Orleans.
The culmination of their creative work was a parade in Horizon’s hallways to share their second-line umbrellas and Mardi Gras floats. Media Specialist Haleigh Walden and Collaborative Support Teacher Jemiah Bray supported and coordinated the project.
La Toya Bankston’s third-graders studied inventors and business leaders. Civil rights was the emphasis for Olivia Chambers’ third-grade class. Deonna Goodloe’s class studied about the lives of educational leaders. Sports was the theme for Brittany Morris’ students. Kathryn Smith led her third-graders in lessons on entertainment figures.
At Rainbow Elementary School, third-graders in Maha Arafat’s class pursued a research project during Black History Month. Their study highlighted the achievements, contributions and impact of influential African American leaders and changemakers.
Each student decided on an individual to research and compile a time capsule, which included a photograph or illustration, a significant quote, personal artifacts and key facts about the ways that the figure championed equality and shaped societal norms. Students also gave an oral presentation to their class.
Their time capsules were built inside a box for easy display and accident-free mobility. Student Macey Wright wrote about Alice Augusta Ball, a chemist who developed the first effective treatment for leprosy from oil of the chaulmoogra tree. Unfortunately, “she died at a young age, and someone else took credit for her discovery,” Macey said.
Jim Gigliotti chose George Washington Carver, the famous professor of Tuskegee Institute. Jim learned that Carver introduced the Jesup Agricultural Wagon, the first vehicle that Carver used as a mobile school to train rural farmers; the wagon was named for Morris K. Jesup, who funded the wagon’s materials and mules.
Robert Coles explained the story of Ruby Bridges, the first Black child to desegregate a white elementary school in the South (in New Orleans). According to Robert, Ruby wrote, “Please, God, try to forgive those people because, even if they say those bad things, they don’t know what they’re doing. So, if you could forgive them, just like you did for those folks a long time ago . . .”
