Conversations about skin color begin in … Truth isn’t offensive; allowing fear to prevent education is offensive. He went back to school. Others are far behind. "To paraphrase Jawanza Kunjufu, I told him that we are 'the offspring of the ancestors who would not die.' Heck, we can’t even unite about what we should be called as a people. "There is almost no way to do these sorts of activities in ways that are sensitive both to the past and to the experiences of the students in a classroom," Rothman said. Some schools do a terrible job: Runaway-slave games. No. Learn more: Some historical sites try to show the horrors. Ms. Stewart notes that teaching about slavery often begins before high school: The law center’s study focused on high-school students, but the miseducation of … I also believe that white people should talk about it with their families as well. Nichelle Smith contributed to this report. Sanitized textbooks. From television series to novels, from historic sites to autobiographies, here are the best ways historians say you can educate yourself. Not saying that either. Take our quiz, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy, AMC’s "TURN: Washington’s Spies" (2014-2017). We will never get any closer to having a real conversation on racism if black AND white people aren’t willing to acknowledge not just our roots in this country but the impact it’s had on us all… as individuals and a nation. Indeed, they were strong, resilient and rebellious," Allen said. During this lesson, students are asked to review given slave code rules and create a New Helpful Rule that all people can follow. My students and I thoroughly enjoyed using this resource. For educators, University of Alabama historian Joshua Rothman has one major tip: Don't do reenactments or turn slavery into a game. Too Young to Learn About Slavery? I even asked First Lady Michelle Obama at what age she thought discussing slavery was appropriate. “I’m afraid of offending someone.” One of Roland Martin’s recent guests was a mom who was upset with her five-year-old son’s elementary school because she thought the lesson on slavery went too far. Your input is very much appreciated. Others are far behind. Our reporting team exhaustively researched the 1619 landing of the first Africans in colonial America. “Aren’t they too young to learn about slavery?” This lesson’s focus is to bring awareness to this sensitive topic and covers the definition of slavery, how it was used in early colonial America, slave treatment, and the slave codes. That said, it's important to teach children about slavery "before they can be miseducated and traumatized," said Jody Lynn Allen, a historian at The College of William & Mary. Slavery as taught in our schools, "I talked to him, helping him to understand that there is no shame in being the offspring of enslaved people. I was stunned to find my ancestors, Captured, enslaved, survived: Meet Angela, the first named African woman in Jamestown. He is now a college graduate, and he is fierce.". Among 12th-graders, only 8 percent could identify slavery as the cause of the Civil War. Quality Teaching Resources and Lesson Plans, 9430 S. Fairway View Drive, Sandy UT 84070. One of Allen's godsons learned about slavery in fourth grade and did not want to go back to class. Meet Actress Niecy Nash’s New Wife, Pastor John Gray Apologizes For Alleged Affair, Says He’s Seeking Guidance, Missing HBCU Student Adam Dowdell Found Dead In Alabama, Tamar Braxton’s Boyfriend Reportedly Files Restraining Order Over Domestic Violence, She Says He Was The Aggressor. Like the Jews whose ancestors were victims of the Holocaust,  Africa and slavery are part of us and knowing exactly who we are can be used not just as a reminder of where we’ve been but as proof of our strength, perseverance and a testament to how far we’ve come. The 3 correlating activities are each in a different format (matching, fill in the blank, & short answer), allowing the activities to be utilized according to students’ ability level. No. (You can hear the interview in its entirety here.). $ 0.00 Our Slavery lesson plan for grades 1-3 introduces young students to slavery in America. Grades 4-7. They also felt five-years-old might be a little young, but I don’t think so. OUR history? All Rights Reserved. Most people I talked to agreed that the discussion of slavery should begin at childhood, but they disagreed about the re-enactment of the slave auction. He encourages parents and teachers to use simple conversation with kids to talk about why they're proud of being black. Very easy to download and print. The article is very descriptive and allows students to visualize the events that are taking place. I think that proves we need to be taught about our heritage… from the womb. Students learn the general causes and enduring effects of the slave trade, the key events of this time period, and important vocabulary related to this lesson. As I said in my book, “I’m Just a D.J. Students learn the general causes and enduring effects of the slave trade, the key events of this time period, and important vocabulary related to this lesson. It also discusses the end of slavery, helped by abolitionists, the Underground Railroad, the Civil War during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency and slavery ending with the 13th Amendment being added to the constitution. Thank you! Parts of it included a take–home survey with questions about slavery, a coloring book page depicting a slave auction and, the biggest offender, according to his mom, acting out a slave auction in class. Why skirt around OUR truth? Many Americans don't realize that, experts say. Reporting for this article came from interviews with Ohio State history professor Hasan Jeffries, Vanderbilt University history professor Alexis Wells-Oghoghomeh, University of Pennsylvania education professor Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, University of Alabama history professor Joshua Rothman, University of Georgia history professor Diane Batts Morrow and The College of William & Mary history professor Jody Lynn Allen. If your... 2. When a child begins to learn about his or her own identity, who their parents and grandparents and other ancestors are, they should learn the truth about how they got here. It is both student and teacher friendly. Is it to say black people are a race of poor, violent people who are messed up in the head? One of Roland Martin’s recent guests was a mom who was upset with her five-year-old son’s elementary school because she thought the lesson on slavery went too far. Others are far behind. Tom Joyner. We can put on the best suits, uniforms, jerseys, choir robes and costumes, but none of those things erase what’s underneath. The Constitution for Kids: 8th - 12th Grade (O) Some schools do a terrible job: Runaway-slave games. I want our kids to learn as early as they can, and if doing a re-enactment of a slave auction is the best way to illustrate the point, I’m with that, too. So, the story and the mom’s reaction sparked a bit of a controversy and the question had to be asked: Is five years old too young to learn about slavery? Tips to trace your family history beyond DNA tests, How well do you know America's history with slavery? Is that to say we would be a perfect race had we not been slaves? She said it’s up to each family to decide, but as for the Obamas, they began discussing Black history when their girls were very young. (I know that’s where the critics were going.) We want to help you learn the real truth about slavery. Slavery defined our nation's past and still affects its present. Our Slavery lesson plan for grades 1-3 introduces young students to slavery in America. The Constitution for Kids - Grades 4 - 7 (M) Includes information on the basics, history, slavery, the Bill of Rights Women and how it all works together. Slavery as taught in our schools, When and How to Talk to Young Children About Enslavement, I was writing about colonial America's first enslaved Africans.