
Word Power Level 2
FOR UPPER ELEMENTARY / MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
Theme: Folkways, Folktales, Rhythm and Rhyme
Afrikan Retentions in our Spoken Words, Lore and Literature
Course Overview:
This semester students will uncover and explore Afrikan
traditional folkways and culture that ‘appear’ in Afrikan life in America, via
the spoken words, lore and literature that was and continues to be a part of
black life in America. Students will perform scholarly analysis and critique
of the values, virtues and culture transmitted through Afrikan folktales and
lore, and their evolution and propagation in the diaspora. Students will
discover the Afrikan retentions in their own family traditions and evaluate
their benefits. Students will create New Afrikan lore and literature, with
consideration to current conditions (good and bad) of our people.
Vocabulary building
Story Gathering & Family Interviews
Library book hunts
Dipping into Afrikan-centered anthropology
Critical thinking & Analysis(positive vs revolutionary literature)
Expansion of Writing Skill & Technique
Essay writing
Quizzes; Tests
Resources: your local library, Anansi stories, Bre’r Rabbit stories, Tinga Tinga
tales, Smithsonian Institute recordings, Sweet Honey in
the Rock recordings, selected excerpts from Centered authors
Highschool
Word Power (for Teens) Level 2
Course Overview:
Word Power for Teens is an Afrikan-centered literature
and writing course. Participants are required to
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read assigned books/selections
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authentically discuss and critique the literature
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develop their own thoughts and perspectives about the issues and topics presented in the text
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write about them in great detail
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develop their writing style
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improve their technique and mechanics in writing
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work independently, as well as with peers, to make creative presentations.
Topics covered this semester include:
What is Afrikan-centered literature?
Exploring, Knowing the genres/Writing the genres
Building extensive vocabulary
Scholarly research vs Google search
Scholarly literary critique
Telling our family stories from an empowered perspective
Exploring RACE, CLASS & GENDER issues in 19th Century
America and now/Compare and Contrast