by Lauren Harvey & Stephanie Platt

In 1925, American historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson planned the inaugural week-long observance of Black history. Since then, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has carried forth the tradition, and the observances have become part of the fabric of American culture and increasingly the global community. The 100th year ASALH theme focuses on the impact and meaning of Black history and life commemorations in transforming the status of Black peoples in the modern world.

Under the leadership of BFS Librarian Ms. Stephanie Platt, our school library stands as a vibrant learning hub, dedicated to nurturing the social and intellectual growth of our students while fostering a vibrant community founded on collaboration, knowledge acquisition, and a profound appreciation for literature.

In February during Library class, Ms. Platt designed a project for Grade 5 students to create a timeline of achievements based on the ASALH theme ranging from the post-emancipation era to the progress of the civil rights movement and modern times. Grade 5 students integrated research, writing, and teamwork skills to develop a digital timeline of significant events.

“I always introduce this unit by having students share their thoughts on the ‘why’ behind Black History Month. During their research, they made connections with their social studies unit and were surprised by some of the injustices faced by African Americans. When we examined the completed timeline, they engaged in meaningful discussion on the remarkable courage it must have taken to use your voice and actions for change and equality.” – Ms. Platt

This project was impactful for Grade 5 students who shared:

“The different experiences helped me learn about all the changes in getting equal rights.” – Taeyang K.

“Working on this timeline made me understand the privileges and luxuries we have now.” – Jisika P.

The completed Black History Month timeline product was shared with the school community in the weekly Morning Memo email, and it was also displayed on the BFS LED screen near the cafeteria.

Centering student learning on Black History Month aligns to Grade 5 social studies academic content; reflects the BFS motto Embracing Diversity, Striving for Excellence; and supports our mission to shape empathetic and open-minded global citizens who think critically and have the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world.