Amazing Annabelle Black History Month Chapter 1

Even though February is the shortest month of the year, much was happening at Melville Elementary School. The celebrations included: Black History month, Valentine?s Day, the 100th day of school, and their winter break! Annabelle counted only fourteen school days in the whole month! But that didn?t matter because she was going to make every day important by thoroughly enjoying everything. On the first day of February, Mrs. Mitchell began a social studies unit on Black History by reading an awesome story about the life of Frederick Douglass to the class. She told them how he was born a slave in Maryland but later escaped to New York when he was twenty-one. One of the things that made Frederick Douglass so important was that he became one of the great abolitionists of his time, which means he fought to end slavery. He spoke out about the hard and unkind conditions of slavery after experiencing those conditions himself. Mrs. Mitchell then began to explain what slavery was and how it began. The room was as quiet as a mouse. Everyone listened closely, hanging on to each and every word their teacher said. Then she showed them a short video. Annabelle could remember her dad talking with her about slaver y and reading books recording the struggles and experiences slaves had. She remembered Black History Month and Other Celebrations her mom reading a story about Harriet Tubman and how she used the Underground Railroad to lead slaves to the North where they could be free. Clearly Annabelle was familiar with the topic of slavery, but by the look on many faces in the class, she could tell that some were hearing about it for the first Black History Projects time. Annabelle loved having Mrs. Mitchell as her teacher because she covered great topics that all students should know about. She always brought the lessons to life through interactive and entertaining activities. She also grouped different personalities of the students together and allowed them to get to know each other better through working on a common task. Annabelle had never witnessed these things in her previous classes. Mrs. Mitchell was certainly one of a kind. Once again, Mrs. Mitchell had an awesome Black History project the whole class was going to work on this month. She announced that they were going to set up an Interactive Black Histor y Museum right in Melville Elementary School! It would take a lot of hard work, but she was very confident that her students could do it. Black History Month and Other Celebrations First, she said that the students would each choose a famous African American person and write a report about them. Secondly, students would take part of their report and change it into a short narrative to tell the person?s story. Mrs. Mitchell said they needed to memorize it so they could tell the story without reading it, as if they were that person. Then thirdly, students would transform into their famous African American by dressing like them and copying their mannerisms to make the person come to life. Mrs. Mitchell wanted all the students to do research about them and consider their accomplishments. They would set up the auditorium like an Interactive Black History Museum. As people entered the museum, they could ring a bell and listen to each student tell a story about a famous African American. Black History Projects Mrs. Mitchell also said that she would be working with Mrs. Phillips, the drama teacher, on the acting portion of this project. All the students loved this project before they even started! It was so exciting and different. They also loved the fact that this project involved dressing up to look like someone else, acting, and using props. Needless to say, it would become the talk of the school and even the town! And it certainly was a hot subject on the bus ride home that day. Kaitlyn and Annabelle sat together as they usually did. Annabelle?s mind was on overload because there were just so many great people from which to choose. ?Who are you going to choose, Annabelle?? Kaitlyn asked. ?I have no idea right now. I really have to give this project a lot of thought Black History Month and Other Celebrations tonight. How about you?have you decided yet?? Annabelle asked. ?I was thinking about doing Rosa Parks, but you already did her for the Dr. King play last month. So, I guess I?ll do Harriet Tubman,? Kaitlyn answered. ?That?s a really good choice, Kaitlyn. I can picture you dressing up like her and acting like her in the museum,? Annabelle said with a smile. Adele, who was sitting across from Annabelle and Kaitlyn, heard them talking and spoke up. ?I?m going to be Maya Angelou,? Adele said. ?I?m going to dress up in a dashiki and a head wrap while reciting one of her poems for the museum. I can actually see myself doing that.? ?I can see you doing that too,? Annabelle said. ?I think she?s a good match for you, Adele.? Black History Projects Other students who were listening to the girls talk had something to say too. ?I?m going to be Muhammad Ali,? said Barry loudly, ?because he floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee!? Everyone smiled and laughed because he spoke Ali?s famous rhyme in a voice that sounded much like Ali?s powerful one. ?I think I?m going to be James Earl Jones, the famous actor,? said Jake in a deep voice. ?He?s also the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars? films. My parents love him.? Jake almost sounded just like the famous actor. Everyone smiled at his deep voice and complimented him on his choice. As they were all brainstorming and choosing their famous African Americans to portray, a special name jumped into 8 Black History Month and Other Celebrations Annabelle?s head and she had to share it. ?I think I know who I want to be now!? Annabelle exclaimed. ?I?m going to be Sarah Breedlove, also known as Madam C.J. Walker. She was one of the first American women to become a selfmade millionaire by inventing hair care products. She truly accomplished the American dream!? ?Well, you go, girl!? said Kaitlyn. ?She?s a great match for you. It seems like you know a lot about her already.? ?I read a little story about her last year when I was in a Black History play at church,? Annabelle explained. It seemed like the important pieces were coming together for the Interactive Black History Museum. Annabelle couldn?t wait to see what was going to happen at Drama Club the next day!