As part of Black History Month, Year Two to Year Six have been exploring the theme of “Reclaiming Narratives,” learning about key figures whose contributions have often been overshadowed by more well-known names.
Students learned about Claudette Colvin, who bravely refused to give up her bus seat months before Rosa Parks, Lewis Latimer, an inventor who improved the lightbulb, and John Edmonstone, who taught Charles Darwin taxidermy.
Reception and Year One have enjoyed a range of vibrant stories by black authors, sparking conversations about diverse cultures and experiences. They have also been learning about Alma Thomas who had to create her own path as an African-American woman in America’s largely white and male dominated artist community. Inspired by her unique, bold and colourful style, they created their own artwork.
Year Two have been learning about Katherine Johnson and her work at NASA in the lead up to the moon landings. They also took part in an African headdress workshop, allowing them to explore and celebrate African culture in a hands-on way. This activity was closely connected to their reading of Too Small Tola, and helped them understand and appreciate the cultural elements in the story.
Year Five have been captivated by Diver’s Daughter: A Tudor Story as part of their English work, reading it both in class and at home. Meanwhile, Year Three have been learning about Floella Benjamin and her journey from Trinidad by reading her story Coming to England.
To further enrich their understanding, Year Four and Year Five students also watched a performance from Big Foot Arts Education entitled All Aboard the Empire Windrush, building on what they had learned in previous years about the Windrush generation and its significance in British history. Global Citizens used NowPressPlay to explore Harriet Tubman’s story of bravery and determination.
Reflecting on the month, Mr Connelly, Year 3 Form Tutor said: “This is just the beginning of our celebrations, with more events to come throughout the year as we continue our commitment to Black History 365, embedding these important stories and lessons into our curriculum year-round.”
