Elmont students celebrate Black History Month

Clara H. Carlson second-graders Curtis Casimir, left, and Daniel Mathur dressed up as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Muhammad Ali for a Black History Month commemoration event at the school in February.

Courtesy Sherri Candel

Clara H. Carlson fifth-graders recently marked Black History Month by creating their own version of Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum.

The students dressed up as prominent African-Americans throughout history, including Jackie Robinson, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, President Barack Obama. When visitors pressed a red button, the “wax figures,” or students, came to life and presented an oral report on the life of their figure.

“It takes a great deal of discipline to stand still for a long period of time,” said fifth-grade teacher Laura Tocci. “These students utilized a number of academic skills to prepare for this event. They conducted research, wrote a report and spoke in public ... they practiced a great deal.”

In addition to the Wax Museum activity, Clara H. Carlson’s entire student population commemorated Black History Month with programs, activities and concerts. One third-grade class hosted an art exhibit and shared biographical information on famous black artists, while a fifth-grade class recited a “Hip-Hop History Rap.” A second-grade class presented quotes from important individuals who had made vital contributions to American culture, and other students shared their own writings, inspired by the book, “Brown Angels,” by Walter Dean Myers.

“Our students learned about the extraordinary contributions of African-Americans throughout history and today,” said Shawnee Warfield, an assistant to the principal. “They also saw that the great number of different cultures among us, male us one great nation.”

Warfield finished with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”