HBCU Bop

Jonathan Samuel Eddie

level: Introductory

75 minutes

Race, Justice

Message from the creator Begin lesson

Lesson Tool Kit

MATERIALS NEEDED

The "Role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the U.S. Higher Education video

Why Historically Black colleges and Universities Are So Important

The history and importance of the HBCU experience | Elwood Robinson | TEDxAugusta

Bop poem example

Handouts for students (or to be displayed via projection)

Bop poem template

Bop poem sample

Pen and paper or a writing device

Internet access

A/V equipment or Smart Board for video presentation

PREWORK

The Bop: Poetic Forms

What is an HBCU?

Difficult Dialogues- Leading Classroom on Difficult Topics

White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

What are HBCUs and why were they created?

Why are HBCUs a critical part of American history?

Why are HBCUs important to the Black community?

OBJECTIVES

Students will discuss and reflect on the early educational changes and challenges Black people faced in regard to education.

Students will explore the historical context in which early HBCUs were established.

Students will extend an understanding of text/ideas by comparing and contrasting the ideas in them to their own knowledge, experience, and insights into familiar texts and to the world around them.

Students will produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to the task, purpose, and audience.

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING SUPPORT

This lesson could potentially activate unpleasant emotions in some students. To best assist those moments, the facilitator should model honest, respectful, and supportive dialogue. Believe when a Black, Indigenous, or racialized student shares that they’ve experienced racism, and validate their feelings. You should establish a sense of safety and trust within the classroom so that students can express their own perspectives and respectfully listen to others who may have differing perspectives.

As the facilitator, you will want to do a verbal check-in with the class periodically throughout the lesson to properly assess where students are emotionally. For example:

How are you feeling right now ?

What emotion are you feeling the most right now?

In the event a student becomes upset, allow them space and opportunity to:

Get Grounded (revisit breathwork exercise).

Get Out (step outside the classroom temporarily).

Get Help (speak with a professional).

This lesson explores the historical context in which early HBCUs were established and the educational challenges Black people in America faced.

While we have built each lesson and workshop sequentially, feel free to tailor your exploration of them to suit your needs. You may choose to follow a lesson as provided from beginning to end or select sections of various lessons and combine them for a different approach.