Throughout February, citizens throughout America and beyond are setting time aside to celebrate Black History Month.  It’s also a perfect time to use this opportunity to engage children in the culture, history and contributions of African Americans.
With some research, we have selected and are now offering some fun and creative ways to educate our youth on the importance of Black History Month and all that it stands for.
Our family at Cantera apartments in El Paso, Texas encourages you to try some of the ideas below to honor the sacrifices and contributions of African Americans who have helped shaped our nation.
 
A Colorful Handshake

Using brown and white construction paper, have your children draw their hand-print on each piece of paper.  Have them cut the shape of the hands – ensuring the fingers are traced and cut out as well.  Once completed, have them intertwine the hands and fingers to create a colorful handshake.  

Talk about other children in their school where they could do the same, then encourage them to reach out to each other to have a real handshake to recognize their friendship – no matter what color their skin or culture may be. 
   
Visit El Paso’s Libraries

Throughout the city, our local libraries have events that focus on African Americans who have been influential in the history and evolution of El Paso. Connect with your local libraries and support their efforts to expand awareness during Black History Month – and throughout the year as well. 
El Paso Library Map

El Paso Community Libraries:

•    Amigo
•    Bookmobile
•    Chamizal
•    Clardy Fox 
•    Dorris Van Doren
•    Enrique Moreno Valle Bajo
•    Esperanza Acosta Moreno
•    Irving Schwartz
•    Jenna Welch & Laura Bush
•    Jose Cisneros Cielo Vista
•    Judge Marquez
•    Main Library
•    Memorial Park
•    Richard Burges
•    Sergio Troncoso
•    Westside 

Watch a Movie!

One of the easiest and most memorable ways to educate children (and adults for that matter) about inspirational stories about African Americans is through the movies. Here’s a list that you may want to show to your family this month:

•    Hidden Figures (Ages 10+) The story of the Black women mathematicians who contributed to NASA space missions

•    The Journey of Henry Box Brown (Ages 5+) The story of a former slave who mailed himself in a box for a chance for freedom

•    March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changes the World (Ages 4+) A story that shares Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington for equal citizenship rights. 

•    Ruby Bridges (Ages 8+) The story of a 6-year-old girl who was amongst the first to integrate into a public school.  

Stop and Go Educational Moment 

We had never heard of this before, yet did you know that the colors of the traffic lights were invented by an African American?  This is an easy lesson that can lead from the kitchen into the backyard and beyond. In the Kitchen: Think of ways to use the colors of green, yellow and red on treats that everyone will love … we can smell those homemade cupcakes and now!

Once the goods have been made (and perhaps enjoyed), head outside for the good old-fashion game of “Red Rover!”

But wait, there’s more!

Click into our Blog later this month for more creative ideas to inspire and educate young people about Black History Month.
 

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So how did St. Patrick’s Day get started, and why is the Shamrock so symbolic? 
We did some research and found the most susctinct story via History.com.  Within this site, as noted below, you will learn that although it orginally started within the Catholic faith, today it has evolved into a world wide celebration of the Irish. 
The following details are courtesy of
 History.com.
“St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast–on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage."
Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people.
In the centuries following Patrick’s death (believed to have been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his life became ever more ingrained in the Irish culture: Perhaps the most well-known legend of St. Patrick is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock.”
This following synopsis may be the ideal talking point at your dinner celebration (note: see our first blog of this month for delicious ideas to pull your party off at Cantera Apartments in El Paso!
St. Patrick’s Day observes of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing, drinking and a whole lot of green.
May the luck of the Irish be with you and yours this month, and all year-round!
 

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