For the month of February, Woodward Elementary School in Delaware is hosting the traveling exhibition “Telling A People’s Story” on loan from the Miami University Art Museum.

The exhibit contains resources, books and illustrated literature, as well as display panels that teach students “the cultural, historical and social makeup of African-American cultural identity, while shining a light on the world. long overlooked by African-American authors and illustrators in the pantheon of children’s literature.

Woodward principal Eric Barr said the school heard about the exhibit last year, but demand was so high that this month was the first time they could get to lend the exhibition. Barr said the staff at Woodward do “a tremendous job” each year during Black History Month to set up different projects and activities with the students. He added that each year the school tries to have “different engaging activities available for the students”.

“It’s a really cool show,” Barr said. “For Black History Month, every year we try to bring informative and interactive resources to students. Last year we were able to bring in the historical society. This year, we had the chance to have the opportunity to bring this exhibition to the school.

Barr added that the exhibit is interactive and provides a new learning opportunity for students.

“The exhibition celebrates the complex and diverse African-American experience through literature,” he said. “It gives our students the opportunity to read books and the timeline of the exhibit to better understand historical figures and the roles they have played in our history. It is a really interactive and fun opportunity for staff and students to have additional resources in the school.

Barr said he hopes Woodward’s students come out of the exhibit with a better understanding of African American history and themselves.

“We have a very diverse student population and we celebrate our diversity here at school,” he said. “I hope that students gain a sense of pride in their diverse backgrounds and who they are, and that they will also have the opportunity to learn more about their diverse backgrounds. One of the unique things about Woodward is that we’re a very diverse school, and I think it’s really important that we continue to celebrate our diversity and have the opportunity for our students to feel connected. It is a great opportunity for the children. “

Barr added that the school features the exhibit for the rest of the month and hopes to provide more learning opportunities like this at the school each year during Black History Month.

You will find more information about the exhibition on blogs.miamioh.edu/tellingapeoplesstory.

Woodward Elementary Library media scholar Robyn Kress reads with a group of third-graders exploring “Telling A People’s Story” resources on loan to the school from the Miami University Art Museum.

Glenn Battishill can be reached at 740-413-0903 or on Twitter @BattishillDG.