The Literacy Project- Curriculum/Activity Description

Date: 2-24-2003

Submitted by: Dr. Olu. Odusina

Subject: SOCIAL STUDIES

TOPIC: “Slavery”---Black history month. “I have a dream….” By Dr. M. L. King Jr.

Level: ASE

Assessment/Evaluation: 1. “Scenarios: My understanding of “The Slave Trade”. Prejudice & discrimination in general.” 2. Students discuss orally and later record some of their past experiences with ‘prejudice/discrimination/slavery, in writing.

Massachusetts ABE Curriculum Frameworks

Curriculum Framework(s):

Strands and Standards addressed:

Strand: Learning Standard:

Perspectives and Interpretation What influences perspective and Interpretation?

Strand: Learning Standard

Conflict and Resolution What conflict situations did you experience and how where they resolved?

Duration: 3 hours (Could be continued during subsequent class hours if time is insufficient to discuss and write on all scheduled aspects of the topic in the first 3 hours.)

Brief Description (for website index):

Internet search on “Slave trade documents, important persons involved in the trade/abolition/enforcement of the abolition, and the struggle for total freedom.

Lesson Objective(s): 1. Students will develop an understanding of what influences perspective and interpretation. 2. Students will also have clearer understanding of issues relating to “conflicts” and come up with thought-provoking solutions on how such conflicts could be “resolved.”

Lesson Procedure: 1. Ask leading/cue questions such as….(What are your understanding of the “slave trade”? What led to it? When did it start? What form did it take? When did it end officially? What struggles followed? Do you know any prominent citizens who contributed to easing tensions on the slave trade issues?) 2. Read the poem…”I have a dream” by Dr. M. L. King Jr. and discuss its relevance to the topic in details. 3. Use other documentaries and video to support the topic and discuss in details. 4. “Underground Railroad system”….Union News of 2-25-2003 Pages A11 and 12. Read, discuss its relevance to the Celebration of “Black History Month”.

5. President George W. Bush’s speech titled “National African American History Month, 2003:A Proclamation” of January 31, 2003---“Lift every voice and sing” .. A song from VA. Leeds’ celebration of the month. Read all, Discuss.

6. Have students write about some of their past experiences as they relate to incidences/interpretations as well as conflict situations and the subsequent resolutions.

Materials Needed: News Paper articles, “I have a dream…” by Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, President George Bush’s speech, materials downloaded from the internet, and video documentaries.

Students could also be encouraged to bring in other relevant materials as well as gather information from the Television, Radio and other sources (e.g. “The Souls of Black Folk W.E.B. Du Bois” by Northampton VAMC Black History Month Program. February 26, 2003, where the President’s speech was featured on the program as well as the song titled “Lift every Voice and Sing”.

Special Comments: Students discussed their experiences freely and openly. A student in a “mixed marriage (black/white) situation shares life experiences in eleven years of the union!

Materials generated during this class sessions, the discussions, and writings that followed were all very useful, remarkable, and rewarding.