Black History Month kicked off at Saints Cyril and Methodius

Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. Students in every grade at Saints Cyril and Methodius (SSCM) School in Deer Park, NY kicked off the start of the month by doing just that.

Second graders read stories on the life and times of Martin Luther King, Jr., then wrote up passages about how each of them can help to make the world a more peaceful place. Thoughts from these 7- and 8-year olds included everything from not being afraid to take the first step to make a new friend to ending violence. Learning about Ruby Bridges, the obstacles she had to overcome in childhood during the inception of integration and the ongoing work she does through the “Ruby Bridges Foundation” to promote the values of tolerance, respect and appreciation of differences, further deepened their understanding of all that she has come to represent.

Other activities included learning about Jackie Robinson and using Smart Boards to catch videos of his historic moments at bat. Their favorite new vocabulary word of the week was “persevere” – the idea of continuing to try at something, even when it seems the hardest, really seemed to appeal to the youngsters. They took part in an exercise writing and drawing pictures about a time they have had to persevere while learning or doing something and the surprising answers that came from these young minds were inspiring indeed.

Fifth graders studied the Civil Rights Movement and integral figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. They particularly focused on all of the positive themes that Dr. King stressed, promoting that peace and love will conquer all negativity and violence. The students wrote about their own dreams for their futures…for themselves, their family, their school and the world. They also did mini-projects on what the word “peace” means to them and ways that they feel they can promote it in their own environment.

Projects, essays and artwork are on display for all students and visitors at SSCM and students came home to their families with prayers of peace for the month, something we could all use a little more of every month of the year!

For more information on Saints Cyril and Methodius School visit us on the web at www.sscmweb.org or call the school office at 1.631.667.4044. For ideas to celebrate Black History Month at home or at your school, visit http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/28-ways-celebrate-black-history-month.