Middle School Resources
What. How. Why.
What is culturally relevant pedagogy and how and why should I use this in my classroom?
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“Culturally responsive teaching incorporates and centers unique student experiences and identities, supporting educators to build learning partnerships that result in increased student engagement and ownership of learning.” Read more here.
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Read this blog post to learn more about what it is: Teach for America
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“[T]he practices of culturally relevant teaching can lead to students, and especially students of color, having more academic success, increased engagement in the content, better attendance, and a stronger perception of themselves as capable learners.” Read more here.
Lesson Plans
These lesson plans were prepared by Baltimore, Maryland City School teachers as part of a sister project to the Saint Louis Story - The Baltimore Story. They demonstrate place-based, culturally relevant lesson plans. To review all the lesson plans visit: The Baltimore Story
Eat to Live! Black Soul Food and Health
This lesson explores why African American people were forced to eat lower quality food that were high in fat and sodium from the time of slavery and why these foods became part of the African American culture. Students will also learn the health risks associated with a high fat and sodium diet and healthy alternatives. They will also be able to explain how sodium chloride affects the cardiovascular system.
Henrietta Lax and COVID-19
This lesson explores the historical context of Henrietta Lacks and how her story has influenced the distrust that Black Americans have for the U.S. medical field. Students will study the impact of Black American contributions as it relates to COVID-19 vaccine development and the disproportionate effects that COVID-19 has on Black Americans.
Sickle Cell Disease and Health Equity
This lesson explores the genetic implications related to Sickle Cell Disease and its disproportionate impact on African American communities.