Black History Interactive Game

This matching game is designed especially for 5-6 year olds to reinforce the Black history lesson by focusing on specific influential figures. The game involves matching pictures of key Black history figures with their names or short descriptions of their contributions: Rosa Parks (for her act of brave defiance), Martin Luther King Jr. (for his dream of equality and peaceful change), and Harriet Tubman (for her courageous work in leading others towards freedom).

Game Setup

• Materials Needed:
  • Interactive Game Cards featuring pictures of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harriet Tubman.
  • Cards with names or brief descriptions of the figures' contributions.
  • A board or table space to arrange the cards in a grid.

How to Play

1. Display the Cards:

   • Lay out the picture cards on one side and the name/description cards on the other side. Alternatively, mix the cards face-down and flip them over during gameplay, based on what the teacher judges as appropriate.

2. Match the Cards:

   • Ask each child to take a turn selecting one picture card and one name/description card.
   • If the selected cards match (the picture corresponds with the name/contribution card), the child keeps the pair and receives praise or a small reward.
   • If the cards do not match, the teacher briefly reveals the correct pair before returning the cards to their original positions.

3. Encourage Discussion:

   • Upon a successful match, ask the child to share something they've learned about that figure. This helps reinforce the storytelling session and ensures engaged learning.
   • Use prompts like, "What did you like about Rosa Parks' story?" or "How did Martin Luther King Jr. help people?"

4. Conclude the Game:

   • Once all pairs have been matched, gather the children to recap the contributions of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harriet Tubman.
   • Celebrate their participation by acknowledging each child's effort and discussing what they enjoyed most about the game.

Follow-Up Points

• Reinforcement:
  • Use the game as a starting point for further conversation about bravery, fairness, and working together for positive change.
• Inclusivity:
  • Ensure each child has a turn and receives encouragement throughout the game.
• Visual Aids:
  • Incorporate additional simple visuals or book recommendations for extended learning about these historical figures.

This interactive game is both fun and educational, perfectly complementing the storytelling session. It helps young learners make personal connections with the inspiring contributions of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harriet Tubman.

Crafting Heroes and Heroines

This craft activity allows students to create their own art inspired by the Black history figures they've learned about: Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harriet Tubman. By engaging in hands-on art, students will have the opportunity to express what they've learned and celebrate these heroes and heroines in a creative way.

Materials Needed

• Construction paper (various colors)
• Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
• Glue sticks
• Safety scissors (teacher use only or pre-cut shapes)
• Stickers and other embellishments (optional)
• Pictures of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harriet Tubman (visual aids)

Instructions

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Revisit the stories of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harriet Tubman briefly by showing the visual aids from the lesson.
• Explain that each student will create a simple craft to celebrate one of these inspiring figures.

2. Craft Activity (20 minutes)

• Encourage students to choose one of the three figures to focus on.
• Provide a pre-drawn or printed outline of a symbolic image related to the figure chosen (for example, a bus for Rosa Parks, a peace dove or a speech bubble for Martin Luther King Jr., and a pathway or a lantern for Harriet Tubman).
• Allow students to decorate their craft using construction paper, crayons, markers, and stickers. They can either color the pre-drawn picture or create their own drawing of something that represents the hero's contribution.
• Teachers should circulate in the classroom, offering gentle guidance and praise for creativity.

3. Sharing and Discussion (5 minutes)

• Invite each student to briefly describe their craft and explain why they chose to represent that particular figure.
• Encourage a positive discussion that reinforces the values and contributions of these heroes.

Video Resource: Respecting Each Other in School

This video reinforces the lesson's themes of respect and inclusion by showing relatable school scenarios where children practice kindness, fair play, and supportive behavior. It provides an engaging visual context that ties in nicely with our exploration of Black history heroes and their values, such as standing up for what's right and treating everyone with fairness and respect.

Video Details:

• Title: Respecting Each Other in School
• Duration: Approximately 13 minutes 42 seconds
• Content: The video presents engaging scenarios in school where respectful behavior is highlighted. Children witness examples of taking turns, being polite, and working together, all of which complement the lessons on the contributions of heroes like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harriet Tubman.

How to Use This Resource:

1. Introduction: Before playing the video, briefly remind students of the qualities of kindness, fairness, and respect, which are central both to the video and the stories of our heroes.
2. Viewing: Play the video, ensuring students are comfortable and attentive. Make sure the viewing area is set up so every child can see the screen clearly.
3. Discussion: After the video, engage the class in a discussion. Ask simple questions such as, "What did you notice about how the children helped each other?" or "How can we show respect like the heroes we learned about?"

This video is a valuable tool for reinforcing the lesson's messages and encourages students to reflect on how they can express respect towards one another in their daily lives.