Africentric Classroom Setup in P to 3 Classrooms
To embrace an Africentric philosophy in the classroom, the classroom needs to be setup in a way that embraces and fosters the principles of the Nguzo Saba. The Nguzo Saba are seven African principles that were created by Dr. Maulana Karenga based on the African values and traditions commonly practiced within communities of African people before colonization.
The Nguzo Saba principles that can be reflected in classroom setup are: Umoja- Unity, Ujima- Collective Work and Responsibility, Nia- Purpose, and Kuumba- Creativity. Think of how you can use these principles to inform the way you position the students’ desks, hang posters/pictures, and placement of the teacher's desk, to name a few. Every aspect of classroom set-up should reflect these Nguzo Saba principles. Here are some suggestions below of how you can incorporate these within the lower elementary classroom.
Desk Placement & School Supplies:
In order to reflect and promote Umoja (Unity) & Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility) the students need to be preferably seated at round tables, if that is not possible you could group desks together to make a larger table. School supplies (such as pencils, scissors, glue, erasers, crayons/markers) and other necessities should be placed in communal baskets to foster respect through sharing and collaboration, instead of traditionally each student being responsible for their own individual supplies, supporting individualism. The teachers space should be a table within the students tables or a desk that is in the back of the classroom, in a non-dominate space, as a teacher within the African culture is viewed as an equal participant.
Meeting Space:
There should be a space within the classroom where the students can gather for explicit teaching during mini-lessons or during self-reflection and sharing time. This space should be in a circle formation, once again to promote Umoja (Unity). Set up mats in a circle formation or draw an Umoja circle on the floor with a Sharpie, to help the students find their spot (which is helpful for younger students). Have an African symbol such as a drum, sankofa bird, or baboa tree that will be used to pass around the Umoja circle, to signify the speaker. This also provides a visual support for the students, in order to reinforce respect while others are talking, active listening during self-reflection, and cooperation.
Artwork, Posters, Walls & Bulletins:
Hang artwork from Black artists (preferably Nova Scotian or Canadian) that reflect African heritage, history, culture, or beauty in a positive way. Some African Canadians that have made significant contributions in the area of Fine Arts and Visual Arts are: Neville Clarke, David Woods, Charmaine Lurch, Noreen Glasgow Etto, Horaine Allison, Shawn Skeir, Natalie Wood, Steven Taylor, Henry Bishop, and Roxanne Tracey. See the links below for some great websites on African Canadian artists. Use African Canadian or African artists as examples for studying art, instead of using artists like Vincent van Gogh or Kandinsky.
Display important African symbols that students choose to represent their classroom community. Have a dedicated space to display students work to foster Kuumba (Creativity) and provide students with ample opportunities to use Kuumba as a way of learning and reflecting or representing their learning. Have an anchor poster for the Nguzo Saba and Ma’at principles that students feel are important within their classroom community, and use them as the Classroom Code of Conduct. This also aligns with the Positive Effective Behavior Supports Matrix (PEBS) that most schools in Nova Scotia use to positively support the School and Regional Code of Conduct.
The Nguzo Saba principles that can be reflected in classroom setup are: Umoja- Unity, Ujima- Collective Work and Responsibility, Nia- Purpose, and Kuumba- Creativity. Think of how you can use these principles to inform the way you position the students’ desks, hang posters/pictures, and placement of the teacher's desk, to name a few. Every aspect of classroom set-up should reflect these Nguzo Saba principles. Here are some suggestions below of how you can incorporate these within the lower elementary classroom.
Desk Placement & School Supplies:
In order to reflect and promote Umoja (Unity) & Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility) the students need to be preferably seated at round tables, if that is not possible you could group desks together to make a larger table. School supplies (such as pencils, scissors, glue, erasers, crayons/markers) and other necessities should be placed in communal baskets to foster respect through sharing and collaboration, instead of traditionally each student being responsible for their own individual supplies, supporting individualism. The teachers space should be a table within the students tables or a desk that is in the back of the classroom, in a non-dominate space, as a teacher within the African culture is viewed as an equal participant.
Meeting Space:
There should be a space within the classroom where the students can gather for explicit teaching during mini-lessons or during self-reflection and sharing time. This space should be in a circle formation, once again to promote Umoja (Unity). Set up mats in a circle formation or draw an Umoja circle on the floor with a Sharpie, to help the students find their spot (which is helpful for younger students). Have an African symbol such as a drum, sankofa bird, or baboa tree that will be used to pass around the Umoja circle, to signify the speaker. This also provides a visual support for the students, in order to reinforce respect while others are talking, active listening during self-reflection, and cooperation.
Artwork, Posters, Walls & Bulletins:
Hang artwork from Black artists (preferably Nova Scotian or Canadian) that reflect African heritage, history, culture, or beauty in a positive way. Some African Canadians that have made significant contributions in the area of Fine Arts and Visual Arts are: Neville Clarke, David Woods, Charmaine Lurch, Noreen Glasgow Etto, Horaine Allison, Shawn Skeir, Natalie Wood, Steven Taylor, Henry Bishop, and Roxanne Tracey. See the links below for some great websites on African Canadian artists. Use African Canadian or African artists as examples for studying art, instead of using artists like Vincent van Gogh or Kandinsky.
Display important African symbols that students choose to represent their classroom community. Have a dedicated space to display students work to foster Kuumba (Creativity) and provide students with ample opportunities to use Kuumba as a way of learning and reflecting or representing their learning. Have an anchor poster for the Nguzo Saba and Ma’at principles that students feel are important within their classroom community, and use them as the Classroom Code of Conduct. This also aligns with the Positive Effective Behavior Supports Matrix (PEBS) that most schools in Nova Scotia use to positively support the School and Regional Code of Conduct.
- Black Nova Scotian Artwork- Black Artists Network of Nova Scotia
- African Nova Scotian Art Pioneers- Dartmouth Heritage Museum
- African Canadian Artists- Fine Arts, Theatre/Dance, Film