This project is part of the Black History Month celebration because it supports a Black teacher or a school where the majority of the students are Black.
My Students
Every day my high school students in Far Rockaway, Queens “zoom” into their virtual U.S. History and Earth Science classes full of ambition and curiosity.
At our high school students analyze global issues that impact humanity.
Extension projects are a way artist-scholars explore the crossover between scientific phenomenon and everyday choices that drive historic events.
Many of our artist-scholars have lived through Hurricane Sandy and natural disasters in home countries like Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Sierra Leone and India. Their families are drawn to the rigorous arts and college prep curricula. A Title I school, 100% qualify for free/reduced price meals.
Our students are firm believers they can change the world. Hurricane Sandy and Coronavirus-19 hit us HARD academically and socially. Yet remote school is up and running. C.R.E.A.T.E. is the motto. Now is the moment for our artist scholars to Commit. Reflect. Envision. Act. Trust each other. And Excel.
My Project
Author Zora Neale Hurston was a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Columbia law professor Bryan Stevenson wrote "Just Mercy", which is now an acclaimed feature film. Art, literature and history come together in this "own voices" lending library for high school students in New York City.
Titles reflect the values of own voices: fiction, non-fiction and poetry written by African and African-American artists.
The voices in these books humanize events in U.S. history. THE PLAN: Students select a novel to independently read. At the end of the semester, each class will host a virtual "book tasting" event for the school-wide community. In break-out rooms, artist-scholars lead a review, discussion and Q&A about their book selection. The goal is to generate excitement about reading historic literature.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Lake and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
