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Feb. 1, 2001
Black History Month
By Kim Carter
February is Black History Month - a time to acknowledge and celebrate the full range of passions, talents, convictions, and stories contributed by the diverse peoples that comprise blacks around the world. The Web has numerous resources to inform, enlighten, and enliven our study of the pageant of human historyż Here are a few favorites.
FOR THE YOUNGER SET
Kids Zone
Try your skill at Brain Teasers, with word scrambles, puzzles, and quizzes, many of which relate to black history. Fund and Games offers a variety of games, including The Baga and Kwanzaa puzzles. Myths and Fables are collected from all around the world, and Discover Africa will boost your geographical awareness.
Gayle's Preschool Black History Theme
Use these early childhood education Black History activities and lesson plans to explore the contributions of Black Americans through action rhymes, songs, arts and crafts, and even a rap song.
The Origins of Black History Month
Use a Leadbelly song, "Bring Me Lil' Water Silvy" to explore history, music forms, and creative writing. These programming activities for children by Karen L. Simonetti provide suggestions for sharing the works of some accomplished writers, poets, and musicians with young children.
Black History Past to Present: An Interactive Treasure Hunt
Here's your opportunity to test your knowledge about Black History. Twelve interactive questions offer Internet resources to help you select your answers. Once you think you have the right answer, select the appropriate radio button and receive feedback on your choice. To really show off your savvy, use The Big Question section to create an opinion/thesis statement you can use to write an essay that synthesizes your knowledge.
FOR OLDER STUDENTS
Black History Museum
Explore the eight interactive exhibits that range from the realities of black resistance to slavery in the U.S. to the Million Man March photo gallery. Read articles written by AFRO correspondents following Black American troops during World War II. Experience the environment of the 20's and 30's when Black America was trying to be white. Read about the Black Panther Party, founded in 1966, passionate to reclaim Black power.
The African-American Mosaic
Sample the Library of Congress's treasure trove of African-American collections by delving into the online exhibit's four theme areas: Colonization, Abolition, Migrations, and the WPA. Explore the books, periodicals, prints, photographs, music, film, and recorded sound that capture and document the voices of nearly 500 years of the black experience in the Western hemisphere.
Seacoast, NH Black History
Regional histories can be as enlightening as national histories. Read the oral histories of long-time black residents of Portsmouth. Investigate whether or not New Hampshire deserved praise for its abolitionist stand in 1846. Read about Ona, the runaway slave of George Washington. New Hampshire's black history begins in Portsmouth in 1645 and continues today.
Black History Pages
Link to the Virginia Runaways Project, a digital database of runaway and captured slave advertisements from 18th-century Virginia newspapers, or jump to Juneteenth.com, a site celebrating "Juneteenth," the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. Wander the Web through twenty four categories of black history, ranging from Africa, Artists and Black Indians through Riots, Slavery and Sports.
CNN Interactive's Black History Month
Treat yourself to some notable black history, from the first black astronaut's walk in space to 29 days of black talent. Dig into the black experience in the United States in a visual way, with video clips of Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Take a "virtual tour of the civil rights movement" and experience the work of Austin Hansen, a photographer who documented the life of his community - Harlem.
FOR EVERYONE
The African American Journey
From the "Wonders of the African World" to "The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords," you'll be tapping into quality interactive activities with this PBS Web site dedicated to recognizing the unique experiences and accomplishments of African Americans. The Kids section of the Web site offers opportunities to make your own Adrinka cloth and create your own newspaper.
The Britannica Guide to Black History
Trace five centuries of black heritage through the Eras in Black History, from the slave revolts of early America through the Civil Rights Movement, investigating biographies as well as documents of historic events. Browse the more than 600 articles of Biographies or Events and Institutions, access the archival audio recordings, video clips, and photographs, or use the Study Guide "Hear Our Voices" to mine the richness of this treasure trove of essential history.
Black Facts Online
Pick any day of the year, enter a single word, or pick a category to search this database of black facts. Better yet, join the Black Facts Online community and contribute by acting as a Black Facts Research Associate!
Black History in Music
Check out these brief biographical sketches and career highlights of blues, gospel, jazz, r&b, funk, and rap musicians such as Mahalia Jackson, Elmore James, Charlie Parker, and Kurtis Blow. Listen to audio clips, view the "Black History in Music" video, trace the evolution of black music, and then follow the Extras links to more information about Afro-American music.
Email: Kim Carter
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