Common Core Standards and Black History Month

Black History Month is a time when all Americans celebrate the rich African American culture in our society. It was Carter G. Woodson, an African American historian, who began a weeklong celebration, called Negro History Week, in 1926 as a way to honor Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Now schools, libraries, churches, and communities find special ways to honor the contributions of African Americans during the month of February. One of the best ways to celebrate is by reading books by and about African Americans. Virginia Hamilton's works are among the many children's books that call upon readers to think about slavery, freedom, and heritage. Through her stories, Hamilton instills cultural pride, as well as a sense of family and the importance of friendship. Black History Month is a time to help young readers realize that these universal themes transcend race and that through the power of story, all races are truly united.

Pat Scales is a former middle and high school librarian whose programs have been featured on the Today Show and in various professional journals. Ms. Scales has served as chair of the prestigious Newbery, Caldecott, and Wilder award committees. She is a past president of the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association. Scales is actively involved with ALA's Intellectual Freedom Committee, is a member of the Freedom to Read Foundation and the Council of Advisors of the National Coalition Against Censorship, and acts as a spokesperson for First Amendment issues as they relate to children and young adults. She writes a bimonthly column for School Library Journal and is a regular contributor to Book Links magazine.