We shall prosper in proportion as we learn to
dignify and glorify labor and put brains and skill
into the common occupations of life.
Elementary Language Activities Related to the Life of Booker T. Washington
Trade Quilt
In its early years, Tuskegee Institute taught black children carpentry, shoemaking, farming, and other skills. Booker T. Washington believed that African-Americans would advance economically and socially as they moved from the ranks of unskilled laborers to skilled tradesmen.
Today, various skilled trades still provide comfortable incomes. Brainstorm
a list of skilled trades. Next, look through magazines, newspapers, and discarded
books to find pictures of people engaged in these trades, or draw original
pictures for each. On a 7 1/2" x 10" sheet of white paper, paste the picture,
write the name of the trade above it, and write one or two sentences describing
the trade at the bottom of the sheet. Mount each trade page on an 8 1/2"
x 11" sheet of colored paper, then arrange blocks in quilt fashion on one
wall.
For further study, you might use an almanac to find out approximately how
many people practice each trade and what the average salary is for each.
Moving Up . . .
Booker T. Washington's autobiography Up From Slavery quickly became
a best-seller. Part of the reason for its success was its theme -- a young
boy overcoming tremendous obstacles to become one of the greatest leaders
of late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
While most people do not face the obstacle Washington faced -- being born
into slavery -- all people face some obstacles in life. More important than
the specific obstacles encountered are the steps people take to rise above
them.
Think of an obstacle you have encountered in life. What steps did you take
or are you taking to overcome it? Write about it.
When There's A Will . . .
When Washington agreed to serve as head of the Tuskegee Institute, the Institute
consisted of nothing more than the borrowed auditorium of an old church.
In the few months before classes were to begin, Washington borrowed enough
money to purchase an old plantation. Students then worked to build classrooms,
dormitories, and a chapel. They also developed farming skills by raising
most of the food they ate. Tuskegee Institute stands today as a monument
to Washington's perseverance and creativity.
Think of an addition you would like to see made to your school--more library
books, a computer lab, computers in the classroom, expanded athletic facilities,
additional foreign language classes, more art-related programs, etc.
Divide into small groups. As a group, brainstorm a list of ways you could
help to make the proposed changes take place. After brainstorming, eliminate
any ideas that are impractical. From the remaining ideas, draft a plan of
action.
Begin your plan with a clear statement of the goal. For example, the fifth
graders of English Academy International would like to purchase $500 worth
of books to begin a classroom library.
Next, explain why your goal is important in one or two sentences. ("By having
books readily available in the classroom, we will be more inclined to read
during our free time.")
Finally, outline the course of action your group will pursue to make the
implementation of this proposal possible.
Have an idea you want to
share?
E-mail it to
ideas@theholidayzone.com!
Return to the Holiday Zone's Black History Month Activities.
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