Equity & Inclusion Newsletter
February 2021 - STAFF Edition 6

February Read Aloud Video: Consider sharing with your students!
While Black history is history that belongs in each month, this newsletter is dedicated to the honoring of Black History Month in February. The book selected to share in the video below is one of many incredible texts that focus on Black brilliance. It "spans continents and centuries, triumph and heartbreak, creativity and joy," as well as liberation and civic engagement, all of which need to be lifted up in the teaching and learning of Black history (Workman Publishing, 2020).
In this video, 5 fifth-grade students from LMES and Ms.Gaffney, their 5th grade Writing teacher, volunteered as guest readers to share the book The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez, illustrated by Lauren Semmer. This book is recommended by the publisher for ages 5-99!
Note: This read aloud is being shared with the permission of Workman Publishing.
Read Why we need Black history month - especially this year: "while we know anti-racist educators teach Black history year-round, we hope these resources will help you consider how you're framing the month this particular year. Learn more about the need for—and history behind—Black History Month and get support for teaching Black history in a way that moves beyond trauma and embraces liberation and resistance." Source: Teaching Tolerance, 1/28/21 Photo source: Loyola Marymount University | WatchFlipgrid's collection on celebrating Black History month is rather extensive - a curated collection created by teachers to use with students. There are even virtual field trips, like this one with author of I Am Every Good Thing, Derrick Barnes on 2/17! Peardeck has created some great content, too (especially like their Black History month wonder pack Source: Flipgrid, Peardeck Photo source: Ted-Ed | Listen Spotify's Black History Month Podcast Playlist "commemorates the heroes — like the woman who fought for the honorific "miss" — and explores the continued struggles — why housing segregation is still happening — in these episodes from NPR's Code Switch podcast"
Also, you might just like to listen to this Black History Month 2021 music playlist! Or, consider: how could you incorporate the use of music into work with students this month? Source: Spotify & NPR, 2020; Spotify, 2021 |
Read
Source: Teaching Tolerance, 1/28/21
Photo source: Loyola Marymount University
Watch
Flipgrid's collection on celebrating Black History month is rather extensive - a curated collection created by teachers to use with students. There are even virtual field trips, like this one with author of I Am Every Good Thing, Derrick Barnes on 2/17!
Peardeck has created some great content, too (especially like their Black History month wonder pack
Source: Flipgrid, Peardeck
Photo source: Ted-Ed
Listen
Also, you might just like to listen to this Black History Month 2021 music playlist! Or, consider: how could you incorporate the use of music into work with students this month?
Source: Spotify & NPR, 2020; Spotify, 2021
A couple Black History Month booklists & resources to share with students...

Upcoming professional learning opportunities:
- Anti-racism anti-bias teacher learning series (hosted by Teach for America): thru March
- Understanding Slavery In the North (Yale Gilder Lehrman Center): Feb 10, 12-1pm
- Teach the Black Freedom Struggle (Zinn Education Project): Ongoing series, click link for upcoming topics and dates
- Relationship Based Access to Learning and Self-Regulation for Students with Disabilities: Paraeducator Online Training, Feb 24
- Designing Academic Instruction for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities, 3/24 & 3/31, 9-11:30am
- LBJ Memorial Library Educator Spring Webinar Series, Feb 24-March 31
Antiracism Resources for Every Educator's Discipline/Content Area Educators for Antiracism is a new, national organization. Click here to find resources specific to your department, discipline or content area. | Valentine's Day: A Legacy of Love & Resistance Click here for Interesting little history & ideas for teaching on Valentine's Day | CT Public Act 19-12: An Act Concerning the Inclusion of Black and Latino Studies in the Public School Curriculum Click here for updates on this curriculum in development in our state. |
Antiracism Resources for Every Educator's Discipline/Content Area
Click here to find resources specific to your department, discipline or content area.
Valentine's Day: A Legacy of Love & Resistance
CT Public Act 19-12: An Act Concerning the Inclusion of Black and Latino Studies in the Public School Curriculum
Contact & Social Media
Instagram: @r15equity_inclusion