In the Hugo Newman School, seventh graders engaged with their first Black Studies lesson, exploring connections between ancient Iroquois matriarchal societies and hip-hop lyrics. This innovative curriculum, implemented citywide in New York public schools, emphasizes culturally relevant teaching, allowing students to relate historical and contemporary subjects to their lives. It covers significant themes like early African civilizations and the contributions of the African diaspora. Despite its potential impact, this curriculum faces challenges from a shifting political landscape that aims to restrict diversity and equity programs in education.
The curriculum emphasizes what is known as culturally relevant teaching, an approach meant to help students connect their own lives with what they are learning.
The teachers instructed their students to highlight any lyrics that reminded them of the Iroquois women, who were known as the Haudenosaunee Clan Mothers.
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