Lesson Plans
Teach relevant.
All lesson plans were designed for Middle School (grades 6-8), although they can be easily adapted to meet your needs. Teachers using this/these lesson(s) should modify to bring cultural relevancy to their own classrooms through the insertion of current topical events and/or relevant revisions that link more closely to their particular student population or context.
The aim of the Baltimore Story lesson plans is to provide teachers and their students with historical figures and/or events that include representation connecting to Baltimore which have historically been missing in K-12 curriculum.
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 Lacks 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.
Lewis Latimer and the Lightbulb
This lesson looks at the life and work of Lewis Latimer as a way to teach scientific principles about electricity and to showcase the important work this African American scientist played in furthering the development of electricity.