Capitol News

The Michigan State University Museum is marking Black History Month by promoting its "Honor in Action" curriculum guide. This educational resource celebrates the history and people of Detroit's Black Bottom neighborhood, aiming to enhance understanding of Black American history and culture. Launched earlier this academic year, the guide is intended for educators and community leaders who want to engage students in discussions about honoring historical figures.

The curriculum includes primary source-based lesson plans, activities, and discussion prompts that link the historical contributions of Black Americans in Detroit with current issues. It meets state and other education standards and is suitable for high school and university students. The guide can be adapted to various teaching styles and covers subjects such as English language arts, science, social studies, and visual arts.

Denice Blair, director of education at the MSU Museum, stated: “In today’s world, more than ever, people need to experience connections to what came before them." She added that "'Honor in Action' helps do this by highlighting community as a point of pride, a source of celebration, and inspiration for today and the future." Blair emphasized that this aligns with the museum's goals "to create experiences that inspire curiosity, celebrate diversity, and foster a sense of discovery.”

The "Honor in Action" curriculum guide is available for download. It includes additional materials to assist implementation in classrooms, workshops, and community programs.