In honor of African American Heritage Month, Somerville Public Schools is celebrating across all of our buildings. We are displaying and honoring African American heritage and contributions from Van Derveer to Somerville Middle School to the High School. We are proud to offer a number of age-appropriate resources and recommendations to showcase the profound contributions of African Americans in shaping our nation and the world.
FOR VDV STUDENTS:
At Van Derveer, here'ss what our Media Center Specialist, Mrs. White, has to say about some of her recommendations for our elementary school students:
Mrs. White: ""ome of my favorite biographies for children are the “" am…”"series. They are written in a comic/graphic novel format with many vivid illustrations and dialogue. They provide a springboard for enriching conversations and deeper understanding of a pperson'slife. There are many biographies in this series! Here are some we have in our library at VDV:""Mrs. White: ""nother great biography series is “"ho was?...”"or “"ho is?…”"series. This link contains a collection specifically based on influential African Americans. They have eye-catching illustrations and are very engaging for students, particularly in grades 3 and above! Many provide timelines and bibliographies to extend learning opportunities. ""EEmmanuel'sDream by Laurie Ann Thompson
""nspiring biography about a man born with a physical disability that never gave up his dreams and persevered through discrimination and challenges. Loved this! ""The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson
""his book is based on true events and tells the story of the youngest (known) person to be arrested for participating in a civil rights protest. Once again this book teaches children that you are never too young to make a difference and advocate for your rights.""FOR SMS STUDENTS:
We have specifically curated a list of age-appropriate resources for our middle school students to pursue further insight into African American heritage:
Somerville High SSchool'sMedia Center Specialist, Mrs. Caporale, has some favorites and distinct recommendations:
Black Birds in the Sky by Brandy Colbert
We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds
March: Book One by John Lewis et al
You can also find more of them by clicking here!
These recommendations are designed to educate, inspire, and engage students at every grade level; providing them with insights into the struggles, triumphs, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. The goal of recommending these engaging reads, is so that we foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Black heritage among our students, encouraging them to embrace diversity and inclusion.