Claywell Students Learn Black History Hands-On During Program

Black history facts filled a long display board in the back of a room as jazz music from artists Benny Carter and Louis Armstrong played softly in the background. A group of kids sampled foods like cornbread and macaroni and cheese, while others discussed the importance of the Langston Hughes poem "I,Too."

In celebration of Black History Month, the multi-purpose room at Claywell Elementary School in Northdale was transformed on Monday into a learning lab about the Harlem Renaissance.

"I think it's pretty cool," said Sadei Demezier, a fifth-grader. "We've learned that the black community has emerged in talents like arts and entertainment. It's good for people to learn this."

Spearheaded by fifth-grade teachers Claudia Smith and Nicole Snyder, the program was held from 8:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. at the school on Northdale Boulevard. The goal was to teach kids about black history beyond popular topics such as slavery and the civil rights movement, but in a hands-on manner.

About 305 kids, grades 3 to 5, spent at least five minutes at each of the stations designed by Smith and Snyder, which displayed printed information on poster board about the various Harlem Renaissance topics.

The stations ranged from "Food for the Soul," where kids sampled soul food - cooked by teachers and parents - and learned of its origin, to the 110th Street station, where girls were allowed to dress as flappers and learn the history of tap dancing.

Jennaleigh Vicente, also a fifth-grader, said she enjoyed the lessons she learned on Monday.

"They (black people) weren't allowed to do the things we do now," she said. "It's showing how the world evolved."

Said Snyder: "We've taught them slavery and everything that led up to it. Our goal is to make sure they take away something."