English Department Celebrates Black History Month
Throughout the month of October, the English Department is leading a whole-school initiative to ‘Change our Bookshelves for the Better’.
The English Department will support their initiative by promoting Black writers, Black narratives and Black experiences in literature in celebration of Black History Month (BHM).
They have compiled a list of recommended texts to enable all students and staff to discover empowering pieces of literature to diversify their current reading lists and bookshelves. Discussions surrounding extracts from such texts are being encouraged throughout the school across all departments with aims to encourage empowerment and empathy.
In order to engage students in the initiative, the English Department are running two competitions concurrently throughout October in celebration of Black History Month which are rooted in the four core values that underpin the Manor High Way: Excellence, Inspiration, Resilience and Respect.
Competition 1: Get Caught Reading - BHM
Capture an image of yourself reading a book written by a Black author, a book which features a Black protagonist or a book which celebrates Black history. Submit the image to Mr. Daud on Twitter via @EnManor or by email sdaud@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk
Suggested titles include:
- Blackberry Blue by Jamila Gavin
- How High the Moon by Karyn Parsons
- The Hypnotist by Laurence Anholt
- Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman
- Chasing the Stars by Malorie Blackman
- No Turning Back by Beverley Naidoo
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
- The Curious Tale of the Lady Caraboo by Catherine Johnson
- Dear Martin by Nic Stone
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- Surge by Jay Bernard
- The Good Immigrant by Nikesh Shukla
Competition 2: Creative Writing Challenge - BHM
Write a 200-word price of creative writing which celebrates Black History Month. You may choose to focus on a key figure of Black history, an event, a movement, or even your own experiences. All forms of creative writing are welcome:
- A short story
- Poetry (including slam poetry)
- A piece of descriptive writing
- Lyrics
- A monologue
- An article
Submit your writing to Miss Jordan at mjordan@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk or bring it along to Room 12.
Prizes will be available for the best entries of Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 for each competition. The deadline for each of the competitions is the 30th October 2020.
We look forward to seeing your entries and celebrating Black History Month with you!
