Author Topic: Black History Month-February (Read 6997 times)

veasley · « **on:** February 15, 2011, 05:03:30 PM »

Hey Everyone,

I did a Black History Month lesson this week if anyone is interested in using it. I basically just highlighted events such as the slave trade, segregation, civil rights, and the inauguration of President Obama. At the end of the presentation I showed a video clip called, "A Dream," by Common. I explained that the clip promoted "freedom" amongst all people. I talked a little about the holocaust as the video shows pictures from that horrific time as well. My middle school students didn't know anything about the holocaust. Then I played a bingo game about Obama. The lesson was a success! Students asked a few questions and have more of an understanding about how America was also shaped through African-Americans. I ended the presentation by saying that that was our past and our present society values equality, all races love each other and our future continues to be bright!

Before I played bingo, I referred back to the powerpoint and showed my students pictures that pertained to words that were on their bingo sheets such as inauguration, oval office, Joe Biden, Kenya, and basketball (Obama's favorite sport).

Feel free to post any comments if you think some things should be added or taken out of the presentation. All views are welcomed.

1. Powerpoint:
2. "A Dream," by Common and will.i.am:

3. Bingo Sheets and calling cards: http://www.elcivics.com/obama-bingo.pdf and http://www.elcivics.com/word-list-obama.pdf.

pickle · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2011, 05:16:20 PM »

Unfortunately I can't use it because I'm teaching my last classes tomorrow, (and it would be over their heads anyway) but that's an excellent topic for a lesson. It should go a long way to expanding their worldviews and attitudes towards others. Thanks for posting all your work!

gerosca · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2011, 05:24:26 PM »

Very Nice! THanks.

I am curious about a topic my friends have discussed. I teach elementary school in Daegu. My friends who also teach elementary school in Daegu and they say every time they put people of color on their powerpoints many students laugh. Do you experience that in middle school? Now I have also shown a brief powerpoint about Black history and Native American history to my 6th graders. They seemed to have actual interest. My friends say my students do not laugh because I am a BIG BLACK GUY....I am interested in your thoughts........

adamwatch · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2011, 07:33:35 PM »

We are here to teach culture as well as just English so anything which opens their eyes a bit is welcome. I always stress the one world idea to push against the excessive nationalism I find in Korea. My students always shout Obama when they see a black person, so maybe finding differerent examples woul be a good idea.

Adam

pickle · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2011, 07:45:37 PM »

Quote from: gerosca on February 15, 2011, 05:24:26 PM

Very Nice! THanks.

I am curious about a topic my friends have discussed. I teach elementary school in Daegu. My friends who also teach elementary school in Daegu and they say every time they put people of color on their powerpoints many students laugh. Do you experience that in middle school? Now I have also shown a brief powerpoint about Black history and Native American history to my 6th graders. They seemed to have actual interest. My friends say my students do not laugh because I am a BIG BLACK GUY....I am interested in your thoughts........

I think it's because they have gotten to know you, so now black people are real to them. The caricature is shattered, so it's no longer funny. (I teach elementary in Chungbuk, and my kids, too, always laugh and make obviously nasty jokes when I show pictures of black people.)

veasley · « **Reply #5 on:** April 05, 2011, 02:46:35 PM »

Thanks so much guys for posting. My experiences have been similar in Ulsan. My students still laugh when they see a black person, and if the black woman has big eyes they all immedietly say she is me! Geez. I agree with Adam that we just have to find ways of showing them the larger world. I don't even take offense to it. I just correct them gently. I know how my students feel about me, and I believe when we defy stereotypes through our actions, eventually it will change their minds.

bigboy · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2011, 04:40:09 PM »

Yeah it must be really difficult to be black in Korea. I teach at an all boys middle school and it's common for them to refer to black people as the "N" word. Heck my co-teacher even said it to me when referring to a picture of Jay-Z on one of my power-points... I didn't acknowledge them because I feel like it give the "N" word too much power but damn it's crazy how racist people can be. :o

Skee Wee_1908 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2011, 04:46:21 PM »

In response to bigboy's comment, "Yhea it must be really difficult to be black in Korea....."

Man, if you only knew....that's an understatement! :( And I'm a woman!

WorkingTitle3484 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 06, 2011, 04:54:53 PM »

Quote from: bigboy on April 06, 2011, 04:40:09 PM

I teach at an all boys middle school and it's common for them to refer to black people as the "N" word. Heck my co-teacher even said it to me when referring to a picture of Jay-Z on one of my power-points...

I'm not trying to criticize or anything, but please let them know that N-bomb, or any other racial slur, is horrible language never to be repeated in the company of any Westerner.

wafflebunny · « **Reply #9 on:** April 06, 2011, 05:04:06 PM »

Quote from: Skee Wee_1908 on April 06, 2011, 04:46:21 PM

In response to bigboy's comment, "Yhea it must be really difficult to be black in Korea....."

Man, if you only knew....that's an understatement! :( And I'm a woman!

To be honest, I had dealt with my share of ignorance from some Koreans as far as me being a Black woman but nothing truly offensive. I have actually be surprised how well I have been treated. ??? Yes my students pointed to Black people on PPts or videos and say, "That's you teacher!" or "Is that you?!" or other stupid things and I just correct them before my KT shouts at them. I have to calm her down and explain to her that they aren't used to seeing Black people. If anything, I have dealt with more animosity for being a Black woman from other EXPATS in Korea than other Koreans. I have been having a horrible time making friends with other expats in this country because hardly anyone relates to me. I really have not been treated badly for how I look but I am aware of how other Black expats are trated. Like my friend who is really pretty but treated like a freak because she is tall, thin and wear braids.

Ley_Druid · « **Reply #10 on:** April 06, 2011, 05:31:45 PM »

Quote from: gerosca on February 15, 2011, 05:24:26 PM

Very Nice! THanks.

I am curious about a topic my friends have discussed. I teach elementary school in Daegu. My friends who also teach elementary school in Daegu and they say every time they put people of color on their powerpoints many students laugh. Do you experience that in middle school? Now I have also shown a brief powerpoint about Black history and Native American history to my 6th graders. They seemed to have actual interest. My friends say my students do not laugh because I am a BIG BLACK GUY....I am interested in your thoughts........

I know in some ways, as an American mostly white guy (over 1/4 native, but thats cause my grandfather was and my other three grandparents were mixed), I wish I could be something more for Koreans. I'd like to show that "ANYBODY" can be American, something that most Koreans have difficulties with. I would try to teach my students, but they are so poor here that they don't know what 미국 (America) is (in Korean).

@wafflebunny - Sorry that you seem to be left out so much here. If I was in your area, I'd try to hang out with you. You always have an interesting perspective on things! I am kind of an outcast among the foreigners too, but I think that has to do with my lack of religious beliefs and not being a drinker. I have more Korean friends than Western friends here.

As for the post itself, I think it is a good idea, but I do see potential problems. Personally, when I was a kid, the teachers totally botched the whole concept and we learned more about famous African Americans such as Michael Jackson instead of people who I think did great things such as Daniel Hale Williams and Harold Amos. I think it would be awesome to show equality.

wafflebunny · « **Reply #11 on:** April 06, 2011, 05:35:12 PM »

I live in Daejeon..ugh. Even though Korea is still a conformist society, Daejeon is like Conformist Mania. At least in Seoul and Busan you can still find more diverse crowds. But even the expats in Daejeon are conformist. I'm a passionate and emotional artist so I am sho' nuff an outcast here among the expats. Luckily I have found some people who have some of my same interests in Seoul and Busan. ;)

Quote from: gilbert.a.h on April 06, 2011, 05:31:45 PM

Quote from: gerosca on February 15, 2011, 05:24:26 PM
Very Nice! THanks.

I am curious about a topic my friends have discussed. I teach elementary school in Daegu. My friends who also teach elementary school in Daegu and they say every time they put people of color on their powerpoints many students laugh. Do you experience that in middle school? Now I have also shown a brief powerpoint about Black history and Native American history to my 6th graders. They seemed to have actual interest. My friends say my students do not laugh because I am a BIG BLACK GUY....I am interested in your thoughts........

I know in some ways, as an American mostly white guy (over 1/4 native, but thats cause my grandfather was and my other three grandparents were mixed), I wish I could be something more for Koreans. I'd like to show that "ANYBODY" can be American, something that most Koreans have difficulties with. I would try to teach my students, but they are so poor here that they don't know what 미국 (America) is (in Korean).

@wafflebunny - Sorry that you seem to be left out so much here. If I was in your area, I'd try to hang out with you. You always have an interesting perspective on things! I am kind of an outcast among the foreigners too, but I think that has to do with my lack of religious beliefs and not being a drinker. I have more Korean friends than Western friends here.

As for the post itself, I think it is a good idea, but I do see potential problems. Personally, when I was a kid, the teachers totally botched the whole concept and we learned more about famous African Americans such as Michael Jackson instead of people who I think did great things such as Daniel Hale Williams and Harold Amos. I think it would be awesome to show equality.

LemonWater · « **Reply #12 on:** April 06, 2011, 05:52:10 PM »

Quote from: Spastic3484 on April 06, 2011, 04:54:53 PM

Quote from: bigboy on April 06, 2011, 04:40:09 PM
I teach at an all boys middle school and it's common for them to refer to black people as the "N" word. Heck my co-teacher even said it to me when referring to a picture of Jay-Z on one of my power-points...
I'm not trying to criticize or anything, but please let them know that N-bomb, or any other racial slur, is horrible language never to be repeated in the company of any Westerner.

Be careful - if you tell a teenage boy "never use that word," what's the first thing they're going to do? Use that word. . .

I wouldn't let it slide, but I would calmly try to explain why they shouldn't say it.

Over-reacting and condemning will only encourage them to use it when you are not around. . . In my opinion, correcting their behaviour through education is the more reasonable approach.

Skee Wee_1908 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 06, 2011, 07:21:08 PM »

Quote from: wafflebunny on April 06, 2011, 05:04:06 PM

Quote from: Skee Wee_1908 on April 06, 2011, 04:46:21 PM
In response to bigboy's comment, "Yhea it must be really difficult to be black in Korea....."

Man, if you only knew....that's an understatement! :( And I'm a woman!

To be honest, I had dealt with my share of ignorance from some Koreans as far as me being a Black woman but nothing truly offensive. I have actually be surprised how well I have been treated. ??? Yes my students pointed to Black people on PPts or videos and say, "That's you teacher!" or "Is that you?!" or other stupid things and I just correct them before my KT shouts at them. I have to calm her down and explain to her that they aren't used to seeing Black people. If anything, I have dealt with more animosity for being a Black woman from other EXPATS in Korea than other Koreans. I have been having a horrible time making friends with other expats in this country because hardly anyone relates to me. I really have not been treated badly for how I look but I am aware of how other Black expats are trated. Like my friend who is really pretty but treated like a freak because she is tall, thin and wear braids.

I guess we are in the same "boat" as far as the animosity from other Expats, and I get it from other Koreans too..... I'm in the country side...very, very rural. I understand that they (maybe) have never seen a Black woman like me, as I have (neatly kept) dreadlocks, but for me after a while stuff just gets old.....the names, the stares, etc. etc........I appreciate your insight.....

veasley · « **Reply #14 on:** April 10, 2011, 06:20:54 PM »

I have def. heard stories about the rural areas. I guess that is always how it is going to be at first, if people are not exposed to foreigners. Just hang in there. I think God has a purpose for us all being here in more ways than one. Little by little, things will change.

......and please if you hear your students using the N-word, gently correct them. We all perish for lack of knowledge. Sometimes people just don't know what is rght and what is wrong. Especially, children.

sajia · « **Reply #15 on:** April 10, 2011, 06:39:18 PM »

I live in BUcheon and i always get Indo Indo?.. My grade 6's are very talkative and love to share their opinions and at times they do make comments that are quite offensive..at times i just ignore it because i know they dont understand what racist comments mean. But yesterday i had to give a 5 mins lecture on why racists comments are bad because my grade 6 class students started making racists comments when i was showing a dialogue.

murakano121 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 10, 2011, 06:42:31 PM »

Quote from: bigboy on April 06, 2011, 04:40:09 PM

I didn't acknowledge them because I feel like it give the "N" word too much power but damn it's crazy how racist people can be. :o

I think it`s more ignorance to be fair (and the fact that they don`t realize how offensive the word is). Wouldn`t go as far as calling them flat out racists.

DMZ · « **Reply #17 on:** April 10, 2011, 06:53:08 PM »

I must be really lucky - my students are always very respectful and mature when it comes to dealing with other races. Even a lesson about describing people and identifying different races was very successful. If my kids are eager to learn and curious about other races then there's light at the end of the tunnel...

jgf9 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 10, 2011, 08:16:11 PM »

I appreciate the insight many have shared on this thread and it is good to know that although my students often do react when they see a picture of color they are somewhat respectful about it. However, in the younger first year middle schoolers, I def. see a less cultural sensitivity towards others, they more often do shout Obama and they have been my only class to be less understanding about it, perhaps it is a lack of maturity, they behave like they are still elementary school. But for the most part I think that when students do begin to understand and learn about other cultures, the caricatures are broken away.

gookway · « **Reply #19 on:** April 10, 2011, 08:29:03 PM »

Quote from: murakano121 on April 10, 2011, 06:42:31 PM

Quote from: bigboy on April 06, 2011, 04:40:09 PM
I didn't acknowledge them because I feel like it give the "N" word too much power but damn it's crazy how racist people can be. :o

I think it`s more ignorance to be fair (and the fact that they don`t realize how offensive the word is). Wouldn`t go as far as calling them flat out racists.

I 100% agree. This is more ignorance than being called racists. I noticed Americans are so quick to judge everyone and anyone as a racist if there's even a hint of it. It's not our position to judge them either. You don't think that for one second in a an all white town they dont make jokes about asians in pictures or movies? Let's take the plank of wood out of your own eye before you call out the plank of wood in someone else's eye.

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Author Topic: Black History Month-February (Read 6997 times)

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