Lessons

“FRAMING SHADOWS” IN YOUR SCHOOL

We are excited to present this virtual exploration of the “Framing Shadows” exhibit for your educational purposes. We believe the curriculum will be exciting and engaging for your students as you examine topics of race and gender stereotypes relevant to English/Language Arts, Social Studies, Social Emotional Learning, Psychology, and the Fine Arts.

The lessons that accompany this exhibit contain questions and activities, providing a thought-provoking guide and structure for your teaching and your students’ learning. As your students process the concepts related to the exhibit, we hope the lesson will furnish a foundation for rich discussion within the classroom.

This exhibit was created based on the work of Dr. Kimberly Wallace-Sanders and includes text from her book, Mammy: A Century of Race, Gender and Memory (published by University of Michigan Press, 2009).

The subject matter ⏤ race, culture and stereotypes ⏤ are sensitive in nature, but in light of recent current events, such as social activism in response to years of profiling, mistreatment, and unfortunate loss of life of people in specific racial and cultural groups, the topics are important to address in an intentional manner.

“With the blatant racial and ethnic prejudices plaguing present day society it is important to have lessons that explore these prejudices with our young students, so that they can identify and call out mistreatment and disrespect of US minority populations. A great lesson!” ⏤ Dr. Odrie Minor, MJHS Teacher

The lessons are aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence, most of which are applicable to curriculums in other states throughout the nation. We encourage educators to review the standards they follow to incorporate these lessons into the plans for the subjects they teach.

Classroom with students seated at desks and wall of posters and whiteboards
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Atlanta, GA

These lessons were created collaboratively by Barbara S. Coble, PhD and her student interns – Roxana Castillo, Solanch Dupeyron and Maria Ramos.

An Introduction to Framing Shadows: The Work and Lessons of Dr. Kimberly Wallace-Sanders

ABOUT THIS LESSON

Access this lesson to learn about Dr. Kimberly Wallace-Sanders and what she hopes those who interact with Framing Shadows will learn from the experience. As you complete the exercise, you will explore a definition of stereotype and its relevance to the exhibit.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS LESSON

Two young students read and take notes in a classroom
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Atlanta, GA
Yellow worksheet with black text and blank white areas for writing

Stereotypes & Current Events

ABOUT THIS LESSON

Access this lesson to take a deeper dive into the concept of stereotypes and the harmful effects that stereotyping can have on one’s view of other races, cultures, or genders. As you answer the questions, you will have the opportunity to consider how stereotypes factor into current social events, such as Black Lives Matter protests and the Quaker Oats decision to discontinue the use of the Aunt Jemima image in their advertising.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS LESSON

Five students creating paper fortune tellers in a library
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Atlanta, GA
Worksheet with pink text, yellow boxes, and black lines for writing

Accessing the Lesson Keys

LESSON PLAN ANSWERS

Teachers, to access the Lesson Keys please send your name, school, class, and grade to libraryexhibits@emory.edu. Feel free to reach out with questions or comments about the Lessons as well. We look forward to working with you.

Five students in matching uniforms pose in front of a colorful mural of Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School in Atlanta, GA

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