A middle aged white man once told me that the reason he does not talk or teach about the contributions of African Americans in this country is because they (we) did not make any real significant contributions. Yes, he said that with a straight face, and he was a homeschooling father. Clearly the public school system (or private, I don’t know which) that he attended as a child did him a dis-service. As homeschool educators, you can do better.
Many people of color, add supplemental material to mainstream homeschool literature and history teaching materials in an effort to highlight for their children, contributions made in this world by people of color. I think that is important, lest the student grow up to think that nothing of significance has been brought to the table by people of color. Some contemporary homeschool resources may be doing a better job of introducing contributions from those of all walks of life, but many homeschoolers use used outdated materials to save money. If they do not supplement, then they will continue to pass along incomplete information to their students.
For those of you who might be wondering where to start and what to teach, this being the month of February, I suggest celebrating black history month with your students as a good place to start.
I’ve listed a few books below, that you can read with your children that celebrate the contributions of African Americans in one discipline, the sciences. There are many other areas of significance to explore. A simple online search will reveal some amazing stories for you and your students to enjoy. Teach your children, so that when they grow up and perhaps begin to teach their children, they will remember that significant stories of African Americans and other people of color exists, and were told to them.
Check these title out:
- George Washington Carver: In His Own Words” by Gary L. Stoller
- This is a collection of letters, interviews, and writings by George Washington Carver, the famous agricultural scientist.
- Garrett’s Gift: The Story of Garrett Morgan” by Deborah Hopkins
- The story of Garrett Morgan, an African American inventor best known for his work on the gas mask and the traffic signal.
- Charles Drew: Doctor of Blood” by Patricia McKissack
- A biography about Dr. Charles Drew, an African American surgeon who revolutionized the use of blood plasma in medicine.
- Alice Ball: The Girl Who Saved Lives” by Catherine Johnson
- The story of Alice Ball, an African American chemist who developed the first effective treatment for leprosy.
- The Life and Legacy of Dr. Marie Maynard Daly” by Wade Hudson
- The biography of Dr. Marie Maynard Daly, the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States, and her great contributions to understanding the effects of cholesterol on health.
- Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race” by Margot Lee Shetterly (Young Readers’ Edition)
- The story of four African American women mathematicians—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Christine Darden—who played critical roles at NASA during the Space Race.
- Mae Among the Stars” by Roda Ahmed
- A illustrated book based on the life of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space. This is a wonderful read for young children.
- Neil deGrasse Tyson: A Cosmic Journey” by Kathleen Krull
- A biography of renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, detailing his journey into science and his passion for exploring the universe.
- The Most Magnificent Thing” by Ashley Spires
- While not strictly about an African American scientist, this is a fun and inspiring story about a young girl (inspired by real-life engineers and inventors) who solves problems creatively, perfect for introducing young minds to the world of science and invention
- Please remember, these are my suggestions. As the home educator of your children, do your due diligence and decide for yourselves if you will be reading the above, or some other discoveries of your own choosing.
Happy Homeschooling.
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