WHY? Why is it important to recognize Black History Month in February and throughout the year?
There are several reasons some of which are:
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Cultural Relevance and Representation: It provides a dedicated time to focus on the contributions, experiences, and perspectives of Black individuals.1 This is crucial for all students, especially Black dual language learners, as it affirms their identities and experiences within the curriculum. Seeing themselves and their history reflected in what they learn is essential for engagement and a sense of belonging. It's also important for non-Black students, including other dual language learners, to develop an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and histories.
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Language Development: Black History Month offers rich opportunities for language development in both English and Spanish. We can explore the history of the African diaspora, including the presence of Spanish-speaking Black communities in various parts of the world. For example, Garifuna people of Central America, have a unique language that blends Carib Indian, Arawak Indian, and African languages with Spanish. Exploring such connections can be fascinating for dual language learners. We can also examine the evolution of language within Black communities, including the use of Ebonics (African American Vernacular English) and its influence on broader language trends. This can lead to discussions about language variation, code-switching, and the dynamic nature of language itself.
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Historical Understanding: Learning about Black history is essential for a complete and accurate understanding of history in general. It sheds light on the struggles, triumphs, and resilience of Black people in the face of systemic racism and oppression.3 This understanding is crucial for developing critical thinking skills and a nuanced view of the world. For example, dual language learners can explore the history of the transatlantic slave trade and its impact on both Africa and the Americas.4 They can learn about the Civil Rights Movement and its connection to broader struggles for social justice.
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Building Empathy and Social Awareness: By learning about the experiences of Black individuals, students can develop empathy and a deeper understanding of social justice issues.5 This can empower them to become active and engaged citizens who work towards a more equitable world. For instance, we can discuss the concept of intersectionality and how race, ethnicity, language, and other identities can interact to shape a person's experiences.
To support the above mentioned themes, Books del Sur offers a collection of books in Spanish to support your instruction. Of them we highly recommend El Proyecto 1619. Nacieron sobre el agua.
HOW? Here are three key teaching points for dual language classrooms when doing a read-aloud with El Proyecto 1619. Nacieron sobre el agua (The 1619 Project: Born on the Water):
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Connecting History to the Present: This book provides a powerful entry point for discussing the legacy of slavery and its ongoing impact on American society. Emphasize the connections between the historical events depicted in the book and contemporary issues of race, inequality, and social justice. Encourage students to explore how the past continues to shape the present. For example, you could discuss how the themes of resilience and resistance in the book connect to current social movements. In your dual language classroom, facilitate this discussion in both languages, allowing students to express their understanding and perspectives in their dominant language while also building their vocabulary and comprehension in the target language.
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Developing Critical Literacy Skills: Born on the Water offers an opportunity to develop students' critical literacy skills by examining different perspectives and challenging dominant narratives. Encourage students to question the information presented, consider the author's purpose, and explore multiple interpretations of historical events. Discuss the importance of understanding history from the perspectives of those who have been marginalized or oppressed. In the dual language context, you can compare how the same historical event is presented in different sources in English and Spanish, highlighting the importance of examining information from multiple viewpoints.
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Building Empathy and Understanding: The book's narrative and illustrations can evoke strong emotions in readers. Create a safe and supportive classroom environment where students can explore these emotions and develop empathy for the experiences of enslaved people and their descendants. Encourage students to connect with the characters and their stories on a personal level. Use thinking routines like "I used to think... Now I think..." to help students reflect on their own understanding and perspectives. In your dual language classroom, provide opportunities for students to share their responses in small groups or pairs, allowing them to process their emotions and build connections with their classmates. You can also use culturally responsive teaching strategies to ensure that all students feel seen, heard, and respected during these discussions.
For more ideas check out the Educator’s Guide.
1 Association for the Study of African American Life and History. (n.d.). Black History Themes. Retrieved from https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/
2 Wikipedia contributors. (2024, January 23). Garifuna language. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15:58, February 20, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garifuna_language
3 Heritage University Library. (2024). Black History Month 2025. LibGuides. Retrieved from https://libguides.heritage.edu/librarystart/BlackHistoryMonth2025
4 Learning for Justice. (2020, January 29). Black History Month: Teaching the Complete History. Learning for Justice. https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/black-history-month-teaching-the-complete-history
5 TeachersFirst. (2024, February 1). Digging Deeper: Using Thinking Routines to Build Empathy During African American History Month. TeachersFirst Blog. https://teachersfirst.com/blog/2024/02/digging-deeper-using-thinking-routines-to-build-empathy-during-african-american-history-month/
