It’s that time of year again… Black History Month.
That time of year where we start to look for a Black History Leaders list to teach Black History to our students.
Although I am a firm believe that these months are important in bringing awareness and honor to the people that have been historically under-represented and under-served in our society… it is my mission that those underserved people are represented fully in our classrooms daily.
Are you Ready to Engage EVERY Learner in your Math Talks?
Then, you need this guide! 👇🏽
Representation Matters
We all have children in our classrooms that come from diverse backgrounds. Representation matters.
We have students that don’t interface with people that are different than them regularly. Representation matters.
We have an obligation to ensure our students leave our classrooms as compassionate people, more aware of the world around them. Representation matters.
Our students need to see themselves in our classroom.
What do I mean by that? I mean they need to see people that look like them in our curriculum. They need role models that look like them. Our students need to see readers, writers, inventors, mathematicians, scientists that look like them.
Equally as important, our white students need to see people that don’t look like them. We need to show ALL of our students that the color of your skin and the challenges our society has placed on certain populations does not determine their future.
If you’re interested in these Black Mathematician’s Quote Posters click the button below!
Why Does Representation in Math Classrooms Matter?
A black history leaders list of ideas for you…
Representation matters because we want our students to feel safe and like they belong in our classrooms. In order to do the analyzing and synethsizing (the higher order thinking) we are asking them to do in mathematics they must feel safe. Our students have to feel like they belong in our community. They have to feel like they are safe to make mistakes, share different opinions and disagree respectfully.
WE can (and should) create a sense of safety and belonging in many ways. Things like…
-using math normsÂ
-developing a growth mindset
-using reflections
-forging strong relationships with an among your studentsÂ
-teaching students how to collaborate
We often think that this type of thing belongs in subjects like reading or social studies. In those subjects students get vulnerable and share their experiences and reactions to history more often.
But that’s just not true. We are ALL teachers of children, not curriculum or standards.
Our society needs people who are emotionally intelligent, confident, and relatable. And that happens through teaching the whole child…. Seeing them for who they are and honoring them for their uniqueness.
How do we ensure our students are represented in math class?
First, this is not about showing students who we want them to be, but instead SEEING them for who they are. The unique elements (good, bad, and quirky) of their identity. Yes, of course we have role models and people we want our students to aspire to be like… but this post is not about that. This is about creating a space/a classroom where students are honored for who they are.
Second, we develop opportunities for students to learn about role models. Black Mathematicians are almost non-existent in most classrooms. Start by creating a bulletin board or sharing quotes. Check out this post for even more ideas on how to do this.
Third, I have several resources to help you achieve this on my teacher shop. You’ll see that I have these quote posters that are a huge hit with elementary and middle school math teachers.
Black History Leaders List
This is a black history leaders list to use in math that you need! Incorporate this black history leaders list into your classroom year round!
- Lonnie Johnson, inventor & mathematician “Persevere… there’s no easy route to success.”
- John Urschel, NFL player & mathematician “So often people want to divide the world into two. Matter and Energy. Wave and Particle. Athlete and mathematician. Why can’t something be both?”
- David Blackwell, statistician. “I am interested in understanding… and often to understand something you have to work it out yourself because no one else has done it.”
- Mary Jackson, engineer & mathematician. “I plan on being an engineer at NASA, but I can’t do that without taking them classes at that all-white high school, and I can’t change the color of my skin. So I have no choice, but to be the first.”
- Euphemia Haynes, mathematician. “I didn’t expect to get my doctor’s degree, never, in mathematics. But I wasn’t surprised… because I enjoyed it so much.”
- Christine Darden, engineer & mathematician. “I was able to stand on the shoulders of those women who cam before me. And women who cam after me were able to stand on mine.”
If you want to learn more about the mathematicians on this list check out my Black History Mathematicians resources for teachers in my teacher shop.
Visit the teacher shop here!
A guide to engaging math discussions! Free for teachers
Teacher friend, if you haven’t downloaded this guide now is the time! You’ll get everything you need to engage every learner in discussions whether you are just starting or you’ve been using math talk for awhile. Grab your copy here.
Black History Leaders List & More Ideas:
3 Ways to Use Black History Quotes
Black History Month People in Math
Black History Figures that Empower Math Students
Middle Web – Black History Figures Inspire Math Class
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