Literacy Periodt Curriculum Designers for African American students prioritize the inclusion of diverse African American perspectives, experiences, and achievements across all subjects, going beyond Black History Month, to foster a sense of cultural identity, critical thinking, and social consciousness, while also incorporating culturally relevant teaching methods to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. 

Key elements of our culturally responsive, diverse, equitable, and inclusive curriculum model for African American students include:

Representation Across Disciplines
Ensure that various perspectives, experiences, and identities are adequately represented within the curriculum and teaching materials across different academic fields, such as science, history, literature, and art, to provide a more inclusive and accurate understanding of knowledge for all students.

Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
Use culturally relevant pedagogy that actively recognizes and incorporates students' cultural backgrounds, languages, and experiences into the learning process, aiming to create a more inclusive and engaging classroom environment where students feel valued and can connect their identities to the curriculum.

Critical Thinking And Social Justice Focus
Actively encourage students to analyze and question societal structures and power dynamics, identifying inequalities and injustices, while developing the skills to critically evaluate information and perspectives to advocate positive change within their communities; essentially, using critical thinking to understand and address social issues.

Affirming Black Identity
To affirm Black students' humanity and racial identity, schools must adopt a comprehensive approach. Integrating an inclusive curriculum that features books and materials with Black protagonists and contributions across all subjects is essential.

Diverse Perspectives
Consider a variety of viewpoints, opinions, and experiences from people with different backgrounds, cultures, identities, and life situations, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of an issue by including multiple perspectives beyond a single dominant viewpoint.

Literacy Periodt’s Culturally Responsive Curriculum Design Model

Representation Across Disciplines Integrate African American history, contributions, culture, and contributions into all subject areas like science, math, literature, and art, not just social studies.
Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Employ teaching methods that resonate with African American students, such as storytelling, music, community-based learning, and group discussions, to foster a sense of connection to the material.
Critical Thinking And Social Justice Focus Encourage students to analyze and critically evaluate systematic racism and social inequalities, empowering them to become active agents of change in their communities.
Affirming Black Identity Highlight the achievements and contributions of African American leaders, artists, scientists, and innovators throughout history to build positive self-efficacy, self-esteem, and social identity.
Diverse Perspectives Spotlight the diversity within the African American community, including regional variations, socioeconomic backgrounds, and gender identities to avoid stereotypes.