Black lives have always and will continue to matter. Black life is rich, varied, and distinct. When we isolate the teaching of the history of Black people, or any other marginalized group, to a month, we continue to “other” their lives and experiences. Let us take time to celebrate Black history this month, but teach Black history all year long.

Black History month is an opportunity to showcase both the root and the future of Black America, we organized the annual Black History Month guidance around the themes of education, local perspective and culture, the richness of African identity within the global community, and Black Joy in the classroom. 

  • Guidance and resources intended to serve as an instrument for learning, reflection, teaching, and future planning on the Black Experience and Black History.
  • PD Calendar with a section dedicated to Black History Month events.
  • #MoreThanAMonth Campaign that calls for CPS educators and youth to share their teaching and learning on Black history.
Social Science Teachers!

We highly encourage you to attend this professional learning opportunity provided by the Abolitionist Teaching Network. Co-founder Bettina Love will facilitate this awesome panel “Black Futures and Black Joy” with Gholdy Muhammed, Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz, and Stacey Robinson.  

For Social Science teachers who attend this panel and provide a reflection of your experience, we will provide you with a $25* stipend and 1 credit hour! *Limited stipends available.

Follow the steps below:
1. Sign up for the panel - This session will not be recorded
2. Go to the Learning Hub and register using the following codes: Course Code: 54637, Class Code: 101748. 

*Please note: Registering for Learning Hub allows for us to follow up with you regarding the reflection and stipend. Credit and a stipend will be given upon submission of your reflection. You will receive an email from us after the February 25th panel with further details. Questions? Contact ssce@cps.edu.
Feb 24 @ 9 AM - 3:30 PM, Learning Hub Course Code: 53606, Class Code: 101803
Red Summer in Chicago Curriculum Training
March 12 and 19, 10 AM-3 PM

The new CPS vision for Social Science emphasizes that students are Social Science teaching means that students are engaging in culturally relevant and sustaining content through the practices of inquiry. This unit was constructed to align to this vision, which sheds light on a defining moment in Chicago’s history: a week-long episode of racial violence in 1919 that claimed the lives of thirty-eight people.

In this interactive workshop, we will look at resources you can use to support students in an exploration of choices that Chicago’s politicians, community leaders, and individuals made during and in the aftermath of the violence.

Participants will:
  • Receive access to The Red Summer in Chicago Unit
  • Connect the lessons from Red Summer to other units in the 10th grade scope and sequence and SSCE's Inquiry To Action Framework
  • Engage with the unit’s resources to support students in making connections between history and today and consider how to engage in a remote setting
  • Engage in culturally relevant and sustaining content that aligns with the new CPS vision for Social Science
Examine Who We Are with StoryCorps

Black History Month reminds us to prioritize BIPOC voices and elevate multiple perspectives. Participate in our new StoryCorps Initiative to examine who we are and recognize our own cultural beliefs and values, and those of others.

Here is the main guidance for this project where you will find the interview guide, teacher toolkit, and information on how to use StoryCorps Connect.
Attention Educators! Are you passionate about culturally responsive social science? Do you innovate in civic learning practices like discussion of controversial issues or community-based learning? Come join our team!

K-5 Social Science Specialist position, Submit your application on CPS Careers, Requisition number: 200002GZ.

K-12 Civic Learning Specialist position, Submit your application on CPS Careers, Requisition number: 20000202.

Email Isil Cinar at icinar1@cps.edu with questions.  
Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!