Celebrating Black History Month with Calvin Ramsey!

[Elaine Shuck (polycshuck)]

February is African American History Month, a time educators set aside to promote awareness of the history and achievements of African Americans. Teachers nationally enhance their curriculum by offering activities and resources to help encourage students to explore the history of African Americans, to learn about their struggles, to celebrate their successes, and to participate in their ongoing efforts.

This week we connected with Calvin Ramsey, author of  Ruth and the Green Book, that was written to teach students how African-Americans dealt with the challenges of Jim Crow laws in the period 1930-1960. Students from North Carolina, Georgia and Texas connected for one of our Polycom Special Events to interview Mr. Ramsey.

 

Here are some of the questions asked by students:

• What inspired you to write this book?
• Did people ever ignore the Jim Crow laws?
• Where can we see a real copy of the Green Book?
• Why did you end the story with pictures instead of words?
• How old were you when you started writing?
• Do you ever get writer’s block, and if so, what do you do about it?
• If we like to write, what advice would you give us?

This session made history come alive!!  And, being able to get answers to their questions about this time in America is a special bonus.

Polycom's Special Events is renowned for its contribution to Black History Month in schools across the country. Programs in years past have featured student interviews of the noted pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson about his book Gifted Hands. Topics as diverse as the Underground Railroad and Kenya's Mau Mau Uprising have engaged hundreds of students.

What ways do you celebrate Black History month? Share comments below.

Additional Resources:

• For more education stories visit our education page on the Pubic Sector View blog.
• For more information about RealPresence CloudAXIS Suite, see the attached PDF: "Five ways Polycom® RealPresence® CloudAXIS™ Suite forever changes how teachers teach and students learn."
• To learn more about how Polycom works with educators, visit our Education page.

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