Show similarities – focus on PEOPLE and communities. Students will be particularly interested in stories that relate to other children/teenagers who are their age.
The gallery in the Greenwood Cultural center is of particular relevance to teachers. While the images are of older people, the stories that they tell are from when they were children. Consider also pairing a visit to see these portraits with a visit to the Ellis Walker Woods memorial site (See field trip activity) and ask students how the memorial contradicts the narrative that Greenwood was “destroyed.”
Consider assigning research projects for older students on some of the many people associated with Greenwood. If you need ideas, any of the names on the Ellis Walker Woods Memorial Site would make great research projects. These will encourage students to research someone connected to the Greenwood area and will help tell the fuller story of Greenwood, pre and post 1921.
Finally, many times educators feel like they need to fill every minute of the class with content. Be sure to allow students time to discuss and reflect. (Many of the items posted to this portal will give you discussion and reflection questions that you can embed into the classroom.) This kind of approach to teaching takes some stress off teachers having to fill the whole time with specific content and is actually more meaningful for students. When a student can draw their own conclusions, they are more inclined to remember and internalize that information.