Barbie Girl, Barbie's World: The History Black Barbies & Doll Play
In this one-time online course, students will celebrate Women's History Month by engaging with the history of Black dolls, play and girlhood.
Mrs. Morgan
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(4)
What's included
1 live meeting
1 hrs 15 mins in-class hoursAssessment
There will be an informal activity in class.Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
For several decades, Barbie has offered children a new way to imagine, create, and play. Through ongoing production and limitless potential, the Barbie brand is a staple of American childhood that deeply reflects the cultural political and social climate of the era. The first 'Black Barbie', known as "Colored Francie", was released in 1967, nearly ten years after the Barbie brand began in 1959. Many were concerned that Francie didn't accurately represent Black girls and women in the US as her appearance was just a mere replica of her white counterparts, created by using the pre-existing Barbie mold and finishing her with a deeper skin tone. Francie dawned the classic eurocentric features and copper straight hair with bangs. Due to poor sales, she was discontinued in 1968. In this special edition Women's History Month course, students will explore this history and so much more, while coming to understand the amazing history interwoven into girlhood and the "politics of play". Together, we'll discuss racial inclusion in the doll industry, representation and iconic doll fashion. Course Structure: 5 Minutes: Introductions/Class Meditation 35 Minutes: Topic Overview 10 Minutes: Discussion 15 Minutes: Activity 5 Minutes: Final Thoughts & Closing
Learning Goals
Students will learn more about this history of Black dolls and dollmaking, giving specific attention to how it intersects with girlhood, play and culture.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Google Slides will be used in screen-share mode to present course content.
Supply List
A short PDF will be shared after class to encourage independent research and exploration.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Buy Black: How Black Women Transformed US Pop Culture by Aria Halliday
Exploring the History of Childhood and Play by Susan Fletcher
Black Dolls: From the Collection of Deborah Neff
National Black Doll Museum of History & Culture
Joined July, 2022
5.0
4reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Morgan Jael is a graduate of Washington University in St Louis where she earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree in African/African American Studies and participated in the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Research Fellowship where she surveyed the cultural experiences contributions of Black girls in the southern landscape in the 19th and 20th century.
She is a history/social justice educator who has worked in both public and charter K-12 school spaces, with in-person and virtual experience. Her proudest moments as an educator include the successful creation and implementation of a social justice/history curriculum that led to her creating Black Girls Know Best, a community non-profit organization that amplifies Black girls voice through creative mediums. Most recently, she worked with the National Park Service's African American Civil Rights Network and Junior Ranger program, curating relevant and informative history content that supported the Network's growth.
Here on Outschool she offers a wide range of classes including 'The Civil Rights Movement and Black Foodways' and 'Black Girl Magic: Introduction to Black Girlhood Studies', amongst many others. 'Follow' her profile to stay to up to date on 2025 course listings.Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$16
per classMeets once
75 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
6-10 learners per class
