By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Public School students had a chance to participate in a national literacy event to help celebrate Black History Month.
Students from Houghton Academy received a dual lesson on Monday -- the power of reading and a lesson in Black history. All city schools were encouraged to join the 17th annual African American Read-In Chain. Teachers read literature pieces to students featuring local and national Black leaders. Some classes heard famous words of Martin Luther King, others listened to pieces by Langston Hughes.
While in the eighth grade classroom, students had a chance to review words recently delivered by Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. Their teacher read the speech, then students were asked to write a response.
"We are voicing our opinion on what we need fixed in our neighborhood and what Mayor Brown says he is going to fix," said one student. "I wrote that he wants to accomplish goals, and he is not going to stop until he accomplishes them."
WBFO's Eileen Buckley asked another student if this reading process helped him?
"Yes," he responded. "I understand more about the government. It actually showed me how much more he (Brown) is determined to help Buffalo."
Houghton's Social Studies Director W. Charles Brandy says this national literacy program is line with the district's literacy efforts.
"Our emphasize is to make sure reading is part of the curriculum and not only in regular English, but in Social Studies and Science classes," Brandy said.
The eighth graders at Houghton say the program delivered a lesson in reading comprehension and current events. The African American Read In Chain has become a formal part of Black History Month activities across the US.