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| 2013-2014 Ancient Africa Class |
Greetings,
I’ve been keeping this under wraps, but finally have permission to share. When I first enrolled Zion in Black Literary Awareness for Cultural Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.), he quipped, “Why do I have to take another history class when I’m already in Baba Obi’s class!?” I responded, “We can’t ever get enough of our history!” But, as a history minor, I am biased! However, as the class went on I realized it was very different from Baba Obi’s class, yet they complement each other very well—like theory and practicum. One class starts in ancient Africa and educates the children in a multi-disciplinary way, while Baba Obi’s class teaches the children about our history of resistance and prepares them to change the world. What a beautiful combination!
What I love most about both classes as a parent, is that I learn something new each time I sit in the classes. Anyway, here are some photos from one of my favorite B.L.A.C.K. classes when each child had to create 4 art works, using different mediums, about the art explosion in Africa. I love that the class pushes Zion to do things he wouldn't ordinarily do. He put his Corcoran Art Gallery research skills to good use. One assignment required a PowerPoint presentation for which Zion won first prize. All kinds of quizzes and fun activities are incorporated into the class. The cherry on top is the Metro Journeys. Imagine sending your teens out on a history mission in the city all day. Pictures to be taken, research to do, and even some signing at the metro--all to be reported in a student-developed blog (not a boring research paper).
When I get all giddy inside about the classes, Zion gives me the “mom you are embarrassing me teen look.” But he doesn't know how I dreamed about a class like this and one that will take him though the African American Journey of Liberation text by Dr. Molefi Asante.
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| Zion Sharing His Oil Pastel Painting of the 6,000 yr. old Afro Comb |
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| Ananda Body-Ewling Presenting Her Beautiful Sketching of the Ancient Afro Comb |
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| Amir Price Sharing His Ancient African Astronomical Megalith, Nabta Playa |
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| The Art Contest...yes, there was a prize! |
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| History Art Work by Nadia Fogg |
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| Zion posing in front of his 4 works of African Art--the Afro Comb; the 8,000 yr old Nigerian Dufano Canoe, the Ishtango Mathematical Took; and the South African Balabos Art Cave. I didn't know about these Ancient African contributions to civilization before Zion's Project! |
We put down a lot of curricula for Zion to participate in the B.L.A.C.K. class. But it was worth it because the class allows him to apply all that he has learned thus far. The proof is in the pudding! I am so proud of Zion and the other teen participants. I am also grateful for B.L.A.C.K. tutors, Kyna Clemons, Anna Fogg, and Tammy Richards, for espousing the B.L.A.C.K. vision. I look forward to this talented trio teaching again in the fall.
Monica Utsey is a homeschooling mom and co-founder of Sankofa homeschooling community. She is a prolific writer who is passionate about everything she does, "especially the education of her King-Men", a coin termed by her late husband for their sons, Zion and Aiyande. Although Monica's son, Zion, is the youngest in the Ancient Africa Class, he is a dynamic contributor with his mature, African-centered world view. We look forward to hearing more from Monica as a guest blogger here at B.L.A.C.K.
Read all about Monica Utsey's fascinating homeschooling adventures with Zion and Ayinde at http://chocolatecoveredboyjoy.blogspot.com/.
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