By Renee Graham, Hillside Elementary Media and Literacy Specialist

To celebrate Black History Month,  Montclair’s Hillside Elementary School held a school wide annual African American Read In where all staff throughout the building read a book to grade levels 3-5 for 40 minutes about a historical African American figure, important time period, or pivotal event in Black history.  Throughout the month of February the  Hillside Literacy Center, displayed books from the Amistad Teacher Resources of various genres in recognition of African American legends, both past and present. Classes visited the Literacy Center and read biographical and nonfiction text on the life and times of Duke Ellington and various African American inventors, government officials, entertainers, authors, and scientists. Each grade was assigned a Literacy Center visit in order to conduct research for Black History Month and take advantage of the rich collection of Amistad resources.