Black History Month Activities
Wissahickon Middle School
WMS News will have recurring segments entitled “Black History Month Facts of the Week”. These
reports are derived from the official website on Black History Month from the Library of Congress.
Gifted support students in the 8th grade seminar will be a part of the Webinar: African Americans in
World War II.
World Language
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Spanish: Lesson on African influence in Latin American countries. Customs, including music,
religion, food, dance and literature are discussed
French: Students will be introduced to the African influence during French colonialism and
racism during that time period. Students will learn about Aime’ Cesaire from Martinique, Leon
Gontran Damas from Guiana and Leopold Sedar Senghor from Senegal.
German: Students in grade 8 will be reading about “Afrodeutsche (Blacks living in Germany).
Students will research this topic and identify other minority groups living in Germany and the
challenges that they face.
Social Studies
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Students in grade 6 will select a Civil Rights Leader from a list that is provided. Using
technology, the students will then research and present information. Sixth grade students will
also complete a mini-biography on a famous African American of their choice.
In grade 7, African and African American history is incorporated into lessons on Hurricane
Katrina and World Hunger. Topics such as the African influence on New Orleans Jazz, Mardi
Gras, and Creole culture are studied. Students will also study the impact of Colonialism and
slavery on economies. A lesson entitled “The Curse of Sugar” explores the world’s resources
and how power became so unfairly divided in countries such as Brazil through slavery and the
colonial economy
Students in grade 8 will be presented critical thinking questions related to the Civil Rights
Movement, and the achievement and history of African Americans in U.S. History. Students will
also complete biography mini-lessons on significant African Americans and their contributions.
English/Language Arts
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Students in grade 6 will read the book, Teammate. A play entitled, “The Brave Boys of
Greensboro” will be read by students. Other readings such as “Allen Jay and the Underground
Railroad” and “Slave warrior Hero” will also be used.
Students in grade 8 will be reading and discussing poems such as “At the Cemetery”, “Walnut
Grove”, and “South Carolina” by Lucille Clifton and “I, Too, Sing America” by Langston Hughes.
Students will compare and contrast the obstacles and challenges that noted African Americans
such as Bill Cosby, Oprah Winfrey and Marian Anderson faced.
Music
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In 7th grade general music classes, students will be listening to and discussing Gospel music, the
Blues, Ragtime of Scott Joplin, Swing performers like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong .Other
musicians such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Slam Stewart, Miles Davis, Grover Washington
and John Coltrane will be discussed.
In 6th grade general music classes, students have listened to and studies modern artists such as
Michael Jackson and Harry Bellafonte.
The Strings are playing “Train to Glory “ and the Honors Strings will be rehearsing “Deep River”.