A story from Day One of Black Lives Matter Week of Action in Schools.

LaSalle-Backus Education Campus (DCPS) music teacher Rebekah Cabaltica and twenty-five of her students (all boys) from grades 4-8 participated in an engaging workshop on go-go music facilitated by legendary go-go drummer, JuJu House.

The session started with students creating a rhythm by clapping their hands and stomping their feet in response to JuJu’s command. Students were then divided into groups of four and given the opportunity to create their own band names. Inspired by artists they like students developed names such as Little Savages and Gucci Sanic.

Each group was then brought up to the front of the room and with guidance from JuJu students were given an opportunity to play an instrument. Excitement filled the air as each team had their turn to play and compete against one another.

At the end of the session one student said to Ms Cabaltica, their music teacher, “this was fun I want to have more class sessions like this!”

As part of the Black Lives Matter Week of Action in Schools, this session was organized by Teaching for Change, and is connected to the guiding principle of Intergenerational, Black Families, and Black Villages.

Also at LaSalle-Backus Education Campus, educator and school librarian, Lindsay Hall, had her fourth and fifth grade students watch two short videos providing background information on the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Then she divided students into groups and prompted them to discuss the statement “In a school where Black Lives Matter we…” Students created decorative posters with their responses.

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