#blmatschool

Week of Action February 3rd - February 7th, 2025

Since 2018, Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association members have participated in the Black Lives Matter at School week of action with lessons and activities based on the principles of Black Lives Matter at School.

All students and educators are invited to participate in the days of action. The Milwaukee Public Schools events can be found on the MPS website. (Not yet updated, check back soon)

Step 1: Preparing for the Week of Action

The Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association has resources at your fingertips to support instructional activities for the week and well into February.

We encourage educators to spend time familiarizing themselves with Learning for Justice, Facilitating Critical Conversations with Students. 

The National Education Association (NEA) has a critical Teach Truth Know Your Rights resource for NEA members that gives some background and legal information that educators should consider when participating in this action.

Step 2: Planning Your Actions

A resource to explore the PLANNING TEMPLATE with various lessons based on the principles.

Step 3: Week of Action

Here is a sampling of Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action activities and learning opportunities:  

Restorative Justice and Empathy | Monday, February 3  Students will be creating Black Lives Matter posters and decorations. Other activities for the day include writing a podcast or video script that highlights justice, diversity, collective value, Black families, or one of the week’s 13 guiding principles.  

Schools participating in the MPS Restorative Practices program use restorative circles. Circles create space and structure for individuals of all ages to come together to repair harm and rebuild trust and respect after conflict. Restorative Justice Day is an opportunity to learn about using restorative circles to help communities of all ages and sizes set and achieve goals together.  

Diversity and Globalism | Tuesday, February 4  Research projects and discussions can explore founding moments and the mission of the Black Lives Matter movement that began in 2013.   

Other activities may include reading and discussing books that share perspectives, histories, and experiences from ethnic groups in your school, neighborhood, or across the globe.  

Trans and Queer Affirming and Disability Justice | Wednesday, February 5  Lesson plans and discussion questions might explore how elections and elected officials shape the spaces we live, learn, and work in. Conversations could center on how everyone can make a positive impact in school. 

Intergenerational Black Family and Village | Thursday, February 6  The comforts of home and family are starting points on this day. Activities could include: 

Making and sharing a family recipe  

Interviewing family members from different generations 

Reviewing family photos and events  

Creating a BLM poster with family, using family photos if possible, to bring to school  

Black Women and Unapologetically Black | Friday, February 7  Day 5 might inspire acts of kindness and connection as students consider the contributions of Black women past and present.  

Students can write a thank-you letter highlighting a Black woman’s impact on Black lives, school communities, the nation, or global society. 

Discussion question: “How can your school community support you in being Unapologetically Black?” 

Classroom celebrations and presentations can highlight students’ contributions to their school community or the contributions of student leaders and others making a positive difference.  

Additional Instructional Resources:

● Select a lesson from

○ Facilitating Critical Conversations with Students

○ Black Lives Matter at School Curriculum Guide

○ Week-long lesson plans (2024 Templates)

○ Teaching About Youth Activism (No Access)

○ National Education Association Racial Justice Resources

○ #TeachTruth Syllabus, from the Zinn Education Project

○ What We Do & How We Done It: A Guide for BLM at School

○ D.C. Area Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action - Multilingual Resources 

● Plan a virtual field trip (Examples below)

○ National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) Digital Archive

○ Equal Justice Initiative - The Legacy Museum and the National Museum for Peace and Justice

○ American Black Holocaust Museum - Virtual and in person opportunities. 

○ Research other virtual options for historical sites (Local and National)

NEW RESOURCES- NEA Black Lives Matter at School Demands

Across race and place, educators, parents and allies are coming together to ensure that every Black student and educator can live, grow and thrive with support, love and joy. The goal of Black Lives Matter at School is to spark an ongoing movement of critical reflection and honest conversation and impactful actions in school communities for people of all ages to engage with issues of racial justice. Find stories, resources and ideas highlighting Black Lives Matter at School from across the country.

Create supportive environments where all students can learn, grow, and thrive

Empower Black Educators to Strengthen Our Schools

Upholding the Freedom to Learn Black History and Ethnic Studies

MTEA BLM Week of Action t-shirt ordering instructions: - 

There are a limited number of Black Lives Matter at School shirts. The current supply includes the student-designed Black Lives Matter at School shirt.

Cost: $12, All items can be purchased with cash or check only.

To place an order, fill out this form.

Please fill in a quantity of 1-10 under the shirt/size you are ordering. You will be contacted by email when your order is ready for pick up. Payment is required at time of pick up in form of cash, check, or money order. Unfortunately, we cannot accept credit cards. If a size isn't listed, we are out of stock, and it will not be reordered.

Pick-up:

You will be emailed to your home email (no MPS emails) that you provided. You will be asked to schedule a pick-up time. Orders will only be held for two weeks. If not picked up, the order will go back into stock.