Discovering Local Black Heroes - Celebrating Positive Impact for Black History Month

• PSHE
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)

Introduction

A research based lesson for KS3 students. Students will consider their own black heroes by researching men and women within their own communities.

Instructions

Students will use this lesson as an opportunity to research their own local black heroes. Who are the members of their communities who have made an impact? The task is open ended so students can look into an area that interests them; sport, politics, business, science, innovation, etc. The students will then prepare a presentation to share with their class.

Discovering Black Heroes- Celebrating Positive Impact for Black History Month

Lesson Inspiration

This lesson can be used to compliment your school's Black History Month scheme of work or as a stand alone session.

Students are encouraged to research their own black local heroes and share why they consider their hero to be inspirational.

• Recap why Black History Month is important
• Find out about local black heroes in our community
• Explain why our heroes inspire us

In this session, you will:

https://www.lessonup.com/en/channel/lessonupacademyYou can adapt all slides easily to suit your school's own context.

If you need help, just look to our 'LessonUp Academy' for further information, or click on the help button.

What do you know about 

Black History Month?

This slide enables the teacher to capture current student understanding on this topic.

The DfE blog is a useful resource with further information for schools.

Bristol Bus Boycott Resources

Historical Association

What is Black History Month?

It is a time to recognise and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black individuals

Black History Month is an annual observance that originated in the United States.

Can you think of some of the black men and women who have had a positive impact upon our community?

The Black History Month website has lots of further information and resources to support your students. 

You can also find further information on the BBC's resource pages.

Who is
Mae Jemison?

Born: October 17, 1956, Decatur, Alabama

Retired: March 1993

She graduated from Stanford in 1977. While at Stanford, she pursued studies related to her childhood interest in space and first considered applying to NASA.

She was the first Black woman admitted to the astronaut training program, in 1987.

The first black woman to travel into space.

We have chosen Mae Jemison as our first black hero.

You can adapt these slides and change the characters easily so that you include heroes that are particularly meaningful to your class.

Who is Baroness Lawrence?

Doreen Lawrence worked in a bank until she married her husband, Neville, in 1972.

She had three children; Stephen, Stuart and Georgina.

Born: October 24, 1952, Clarendon, Jamaica.

Emigrated to England when she was nine years old.

She has been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Cambridge, the Open University and the University of West London. 

Following the murder of her own son, Stephen, in a racist attack, Doreen Lawrence devoted her life to campaigning for justice for all who have been victims of racist crimes.

Baroness Lawrence's contribution to public life in the UK is much greater than we have been able to share here. There is a link to here Stephen Lawrence Day website here.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Official_portrait_of_Baroness_Lawrence_of_Clarendon_crop_1,_2019.jpg

Who is Lewis Hamilton?

Born: January 7, 1985 in Stevanage, Hertfordshire.

Lewis was bought a go-kart when he was six and was told that his dad would support his hobby IF he tried hard in school.

He was given a knighthood in 2021 for 'services to motorsport'.

Sir Lewis campaigns for race equality.

He was the first black driver in 'Formula One'.

He has won more races and championships in his career than any other driver ever.

Lewis Hamilton talks about diversity in sport on Newsround here.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Lewis_Hamilton_2016_Malaysia_1.jpg

Research a Local Black Hero

Why do you consider them to be a local black hero? What are their achievements? What has been their contribution to our local area?

Where were they born? How old are they? Where do they live? Find out about your hero's background.

Take pictures and consider how to organise your information to make it effective.

This slide offers some prompts for students to use when researching their hero.

Share your presentations here.

Students can upload a picture of their work here to share.

Reflection

What are the common themes from the presentations?

How might our community be different without the work of these heroes?

Which of the local heroes has really inspired you and why?

This session may have brought out some sensitive issues. You may wish to use this part of your lesson to remind students of the processes within your school to support those who may have been victims of racism.

A link to childline is here.

Write down three things you 

  have learnt in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. 

Write down two things you

 want to learn more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask one question about something you have not yet understood.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.

Aardappeloproer

1917

Enkele Amsterdamse vrouwen zagen dat er een schip vol aardappelen in een van de grachten lag. Ze gingen erop af en plunderden het schip: hun schorten vol aardappelen. De dag erna waren er meer plunderaars. Pas nadat zes mensen door het leger werden doodgeschoten, keerde de rust terug