But she doesn't just tell them, she shows them by bringing in popular jazz and blues. She also will use the school's jazz band play in the classroom to let them hear a live performance. Story telling is part of the curriculum as well. Ms. Tongate shows how Africans used animals in their stories to teach morals and ideas. For example, popular cartoon animals often teach morals to American children.
Students see that today's popular stories and books come from yesterday's ideas.
To show students African influence on clothing trends, she has them make native skirts. The idea of a repetitive pattern in clothing originated in Africa. Students make the skirts by first blocking off two inch square sections. They create designs in blocks, then color them. Students personalize their skirts by using logos from clubs, sports and even after school jobs.