Nine Drama Lessons for Black History Month Which Increase Student Engagement
Most of us are aware that February is Black History Month. I’m so glad we give people of color a spotlight. They certainly deserve it. Today I’m going to discuss Nine Drama Lessons for Black History Month Which Increase Student Engagement.
What is Black History Month?
Good question.
Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently has been observed in Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Black History Month began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. Celebrated in February in the United States and Canada, while in Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom it is observed in October.
If you are looking for My Black History Month Famous Theatre Artists Biography e-book, go here: Black History Month Famous Theatre Artists Biography
When did February become Black History month?
According to www.history.com, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Do you need some help in the classroom? Pick up this FREE guide and Lesson Here
How Can We Celebrate Black History Month in My Classroom?
Usually, during this time a drama teacher will read a few plays written about black Americans or playwrights. (Check out: Concord Theatricals for their offerings.) If you need a list, a group of drama teachers compiled this list. (I take no responsibility for them other than to share the list. I have not vetted them either.)
- Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage.
- Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz
- Vietgone by Qui Nguyen
- Good Grief by Ngozi Anyanwu,
- Our Lady of Kibeho by Katori Hall
- Choir Boy by Tarell Alvin Mccraney
- BLKS by Aziza Barnes
- Shoe by Marisela Tevino Orta
- Disengaged by Milta Ortiz
- The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa Fasthorse,
- Durango by Julia Cho
- Fade by Tanya Saracho
- Caught by Christopher Chen
- Behind the Sheet by Charly Evan Simpson
Powerful Voices: Contemporary Plays Exploring Identity, Culture, and Resilience
- Sender by Ike Holte
- Obama-ology by Aurin Squire
- Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them by A. Rey Pamatmat
- Anonymous by Naomi Lizuka
- Middle School Girls or The African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn Biohazards
- Saturday Night/Sunday Morning by Dominique Morriseau
- Hoodoo Love by Dominique Morriseau
- We are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia...by Jackie Sibblies Drury.
- Vietgone by Ngozie Anyanwu
- Our Lady Kibeho by Kato Hall
- Choir Boy by Tarrell Alvin Mccraney
- Listen to Your Parents by Benjamin Zephaniah
Amazing list, huh?
Want a FREE biography lesson about Audra McDonald? Click here: Audra McDonald
Videos to View for Black History Month
Another activity a drama class would appreciate is to view a play or movie with a black cast. If students are in high school, I first suggest Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom with Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman. Just excellent!
I compiled this list of videos as a quick way to give you ideas. Check out: https://redtri.com for more suggestions.
High School–
- Harriet
- Ragtime, the Musical (I’ve only found a student version of Ragtime on youtube.com)
- Fences
- Raisin in the Sun
- Lilies of the Field
Elementary and Middle Grades–
- Akeelah and the Bee
- And the Children Shall Lead
- Remember the Titans
- Harriet
- Hidden Figures
- Sounder
- The Wiz (P.S. I have a Broadway musical lesson about this production. If you are interested, check it out The Wiz Broadway Musical Lesson
Drama Lessons Celebrating Black History Month
If you want something unique, I have famous theater artist biographies available. First, these are great for a substitute provided you have access to the internet and youtube.com. Primarily, I developed these short lessons as a way for students to learn about successful theater artists journey to Broadway–a growth mindset sort of lesson.
They include:
I add to this group all the time, so if you don’t follow me you might want to do so. FOLLOW ME
Here is an example of a product’s description:
This distance learning lesson focuses on actor Oscar, Emmy and Tony award-winning James Earl Jones. The student researches questions about his life, journey to Broadway, and various accolades he’s received while practicing growth mindset. Finally, using a One Pager assignment, the student designs his life.
This lesson takes sixty to ninety minutes to complete. Now they come in a digital book! Pick them up here!
Need something for a substitute? All is needed is the internet.
A Suggestion for You
HOW DO I USE THIS IN MY CLASSROOM? Many teachers combine these biographies with other DramaMommaSpeaks artists Lin Manuel Miranda, actresses Audra McDonald, Cynthia Erivo, Meryl Streep or designer Ming Cho Lee, composers Tim Minchin, Pasek and Paul. Or they tie it to a lesson about the Tony Awards, Tony Awards Lesson
Now they come as a book!
Have you considered the importance of students reading biographies? If not, check out Should Students Read Biographies?
I’m hoping that 2023 will be a year of celebrating diversity. Let’s face it–we have a problem and the only way to fix it is discussions concerning our differences and more importantly, how we all deserve respect and understanding.
Want to better understand drama integration and how to use it in your classroom? Pick up my FREE guide and lesson Here
What better place than in our classrooms?
What do you do for Black History Month in your classroom? I’d love to know about it. Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net
