Global Black Narratives for the Classroom: Britain and Europe: Practical Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Activities for Ages 7-11

Rather than reserving the teaching of Black history to Black history month, Black narratives deserve to be seen and integrated into every aspect of the school curriculum. A unique yet practical resource, Global Black Narratives addresses this issue by providing primary teachers with a global outline of Black history, culture and life within the framework of the UK’s National Curriculum.

Each topic explored in this essential book provides teachers and teaching assistants with historical, geographic and cultural context to build confidence when planning and teaching. Full lesson plans and printable worksheets are incorporated into each topic, alongside tips to build future lessons in line with the themes explored.

Part 1 examines Black Britain, a term used to refer to African and Caribbean immigrants to the United Kingdom and their descendants. Teachers will gain essential contextual knowledge and the practical skills to deliver lessons exploring many examples of Black Britain, dating as far back as the Tudor period. Detailed lesson plans are provided on numerous activist groups and figures who make up the Black British civil rights movement including Claudia Jones, Harold Moody, Stuart Hall, Amy Ashwood The West African Students Union, the Bristol bus boycott and resistance groups from the 1960s to 1980s. Many of the lesson plans also concern music and wider arts and culture.

Part 2 explores Black Presence in Europe, providing focused examples of Black narratives. Topics explored include Negritude, Josephine Baker, Afro-Spaniards and the Moorish occupation of Spain, Afro-Surinamese people in the Netherlands and Black presence in France.

Created by BLAM UK, this highly informative yet practical resource is an essential read for any teacher, teaching assistant or senior leader who wishes to diversify their curriculum and address issues of Black representation within their school. It is published in two practical and comprehensive volumes. Volume 1 covers Britain and Europe, whilst Volume 2 includes Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean. Each volume can be used individually for teaching but when used together they provide a truly global perspective on black history and culture.

BLAM UK, founded by Ife Thompson (external Black History Moderator for Lilian Baylis School), has been teaching young people global Black history within school settings and the wider community since 2017. Working with schools, students, teachers and teacher training providers, BLAM teach Black history globally, focusing on the collective Black experience from a Pan-African perspective.