Tag Archives: Best Practices
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Teachers lead students in Juneteenth celebration
For the African American community, June 19 marks the annual observance of an important holiday: Juneteenth. Many teachers are aware of the significance of this event, and, if school for them is still in session, they may be planning an observance of the occasion with their students.
Juneteenth marks the 1865 arrival of Federal troops under the command of US General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas. Their military mission was to take control of the state following the Civil War, and to ensure that all enslaved people living there had been freed. Until that day, 250,000 enslaved people in Texas were unaware that slavery had been declared officially ended. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The year following Granger’s arrival, freedmen in Texas organized the first of what became the annual celebration of “Jubilee Day” on June 19. In the decades since, Juneteenth commemorations featured music, barbecues, prayer services, and other holiday activities. As Black people migrated from Texas to other parts of the country, the tradition of celebrating Juneteenth spread.
Juneteenth is considered the longest-running African American holiday in US history. In 1979, Texas became the first state to declare Juneteenth an official holiday. Efforts to make the celebration a national holiday have, so far, stalled in Congress, but as of this year, 47 states recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday.
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Exploring DC’s National African American Museum online
Author and retired educator Terry Lee Marzell shares information about how classroom teachers can guide their students in an online exploration of DC’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). Photo credit: Terry Lee Marzell.
On a recent trip to Washington, DC, I truly tried my best to secure admission tickets to the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) located there. The museum finally re-opened on May 14 following a prolonged closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Alas, because of high demand and limited supply, an in-person visit for me was not to be. Therefore, like many classroom teachers, I’ll be exploring this fascinating museum online at NMAAHC. Let me share with you some of what I have learned from examining the online resources.
In the exhibit entitled A Changing America, students can learn more about Slavery and Freedom. In addition, topics related to the years following the end of Reconstruction show how the nation struggled to define the status of African Americans. A wealth of information about the Civil Rights Movement can be explored at the link created for the Civil Rights History Project.
Students can explore the exhibition that details African Americans and military experience at this link: Double Victory. The exhibition covers topics related to the struggles of African Americans in the military going as far back as the American Revolution. Also included is information about coping in a segregated military and efforts to integrate the military.
Another exhibit shares aspects of African American culture, including oral tradition, literature, poetry, crafts, cuisine, fashion, dance, and nonverbal communication. See this exhibit at Cultural Expressions. Students can also explore African American art at this link for Visual Art, and musical expression at this link for Musical Crossroads.
Students can explore the specific artifacts contained in the museum’s collection by clicking on this link: Collection. Artifacts include such items as articles of clothing, letters, photographs, furniture pieces, household items, quilts, musical instruments, sheet music, as well as documents and instruments related to enslavement.
Teachers can examine additional resources, including resources for STEM, provided by the museum at this link at this link for Educators. So much information is available to those who want to learn more about African American history and culture. Enjoy!
