EDWARDSVILLE - First graders at Nelson Elementary School in Edwardsville completed their first report on a famous African American for Black History Month.
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Tamara Johnson has taught first grade for 27 years, and she always assigns a major Black History Month presentation to her students. Not only does the project encourage them to learn about a famous Black American, but it also teaches them the basics of writing and presenting information to their classmates.
“They were so excited and they felt so proud,” Johnson said. “I feel like it’s so important for the kids to start early as far as giving reports and getting out of their shyness. Even if it’s just a little bit, it’s helpful for them. As they get older, they feel more comfortable. They think about that time that they stood up and gave that presentation, and they realize, oh, I can do this. It’s really not that bad.”
Students worked with their parents to create their projects. They built dioramas and shared written information with the class. Johnson encouraged students to choose a person they identified with.
Student Bee plays soccer, so she was excited to learn about famous goalie Briana Scurry. Michelle decorated her project with paper flowers and butterflies to represent growth as she presented on Rosa Parks. Calvin filled his diorama on George Washington Carver with candy circus peanuts, while Charli printed pictures of Harriet Tubman and shared information about her work to help enslaved people.
The dioramas are now on display in the hallways of Nelson Elementary School, so students in other classrooms can also learn about these famous Black Americans. Johnson noted that her kids are “super proud” to display their work.
“It’s awesome because the whole school can benefit from it,” she said. “They did amazing. They were super excited, and I was so excited to see the end results.”
Johnson added that the entire staff at Nelson is focused on supporting kids, and she is proud to be a part of that team. She hopes the students remember what they learned in her class, both the American history and the presentation skills they practiced. She is proud of her kids and happy to be a part of the Nelson family.
“I just think it’s really important for them to see someone like me here,” she said, adding, “The people are awesome to work with. I love my team that I work with. Everybody is really supportive. I think we’re all here for the same reason…It’s all loving. It’s laid-back. We’ve just created a vibe here that kids are accepted, that love for who they are and what they are. We just love on everyone and learn at the same time.”
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