Author Ron Smith with Library Media Specialist Tiki Love and Windsor Mill Middle School student.
Windsor Mill Middle School’s SMaRTZone was a flurry of activity during African-American History Month. Language Arts teacher, Mikal Annis, and Library Media Specialist, Tiki Love, coordinated a lesson to introduce Ruby Bridges, a pioneer in the Civil Rights Movement. Students watched a Flocabulary video which highlighted six-year-old Ruby Bridges’ experiences with integration. During the video, students answered critical thinking and reflective question. A discussion ensued where students personalized Ruby’s experience and asked, what would I have done if I were in that situation? Ms. Love finished the lesson with a book talk to highlight various print resources about famous and lesser well known African Americans such as Muhammed Ali and Fannie Lou Hammer. The GT students extended the lesson with a Vocabulary Jam created by ELA Resource Teacher, Stephanie Fanshaw.
Finally, Ron Smith, Baltimore author of Hoodoo and The Mesmerist, visited WMMS to talk about his new book, Marvel’s Black Panther the Young Prince which tells the story of T’Challa as a young boy. “It was cool that I got to see him speak before the movie,” remarked student Diamond Valentine. Mr. Smith kept students on the edge of their seats with his own story of how the book came to be. “My agent called and asked me if I was sitting down.” Mr. Smith promptly sat down and held his breath. His agent continued. “Marvel Comics called, and they want you to write the young adult story of the Black Panther. You have 30 days.” Mr. Smith devoured Black Panther comic books to understand his protagonist’s background and purpose, and one month later he had a draft. D’Angelo Orr noted that “Mr. Smith worked hard writing the book so students can enjoy it.” Taryn Lewis piped in by saying “hearing his stories inspires other kids to write.” Mr. Smith will return to Windsor Mill in March to work with students.
Finally, Ron Smith, Baltimore author of Hoodoo and The Mesmerist, visited WMMS to talk about his new book, Marvel’s Black Panther the Young Prince which tells the story of T’Challa as a young boy. “It was cool that I got to see him speak before the movie,” remarked student Diamond Valentine. Mr. Smith kept students on the edge of their seats with his own story of how the book came to be. “My agent called and asked me if I was sitting down.” Mr. Smith promptly sat down and held his breath. His agent continued. “Marvel Comics called, and they want you to write the young adult story of the Black Panther. You have 30 days.” Mr. Smith devoured Black Panther comic books to understand his protagonist’s background and purpose, and one month later he had a draft. D’Angelo Orr noted that “Mr. Smith worked hard writing the book so students can enjoy it.” Taryn Lewis piped in by saying “hearing his stories inspires other kids to write.” Mr. Smith will return to Windsor Mill in March to work with students.
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