Soulful Journeys: The Art, History, and Legacy of Black Excellence!
Weekly series covering the African American Arts and contributions. We will discuss fun facts, culture, and the diversity of African American people.
ERICA WARD
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(106)
Rising Star
What's included
1 live meeting
50 mins in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
Have you heard of Nina Simone? The Nicholas brothers? Do you know what the Harlem Renaissance is? Let's take an adventure! For ages 8-13, Soulful Journeys: The Art, History, and Legacy of Black Excellence! is a weekly series featuring achievements and contributions of Black people! In this course students will learn fun facts, inventions, fashion, foods, talents, art, culture, and the contributions of Africa American people. Soulful Journeys: The Art, History, and Legacy of Black Excellence! is a 60 minute easy course. Classes begin daily with an ice breaker and quick introduction of what/who we will be studying for that day. PLEASE NOTE: FEATURED CLASS TOPICS FOR EACH WEEK ARE STILL IN DEVELOPMENT AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE SLIGHTLY It doesn't happen often at all, but due to some policy changes at YouTube, occasionally when I play a video from their platform, a 10second ad comes on beforehand. This is happening a lot with all teachers! I am working VERY HARD and diligently for a workaround. I know it is probably not a big deal, I know, I know…… but like to keep parents informed :) Class 1) Week of Sept 3: African American Study 9/3/24 Featured Topics: Artists of the Harlem Renaissance The Introduction Class 2) Week of Sept 10: African American Study 9/10/24 Featured Topics: Artists of the Harlem Renaissance The Dancers Class 3) Week of Sept 17: African American Study 9/17/24 Featured Topics: Artists of the Harlem Renaissance The Artists and Writers Class 4) Week of Sept 24: African American Study 9/24/24 Featured Topics: Artists of the Harlem Renaissance The Musicians and Singers Class 5) Week of Oct 1: African American Study10/1/24 Featured Topics: Changing the standard of beauty Class 6) Week of Oct 8: African American Study 10/8/24 Featured Topics: Changing the standard of beauty Class 7) Week of Oct 15: African American Study 10/15/24 Featured Topics: Changing the standard of beauty Class 8) Week of Oct 22: African American Study 10/22/24 Featured Topics: Changing the standard of beauty Class 9) Week of Oct 29: African American Study 10/29/24 Featured Topics: The Food That Soothes Our Souls Class 10) Week of Nov 5: African American Study 11/5/24 Featured Topics: The Food That Soothes Our Souls Class 11) Week of Nov 12: African American Study 11/12/24 Featured Topics: The Food That Soothes Our Souls Class 12) Week of Nov 19: African American Study 11/19/24 Featured Topics: The Food That Soothes Our Souls Week of Nov 19: African American Study 11/26/24 Featured Topics: Kahoot Review! The Food That Soothes Our Souls Class 13) Week of Dec 3: African American Study 12/3/24 Featured Topics: Black in the Performing Arts Class 14) Week of Dec 10: African American Study 12/10/24 Featured Topics: Black in the Performing Arts Class 15) Week of Dec 17: African American Study 12/17/24 Featured Topics: Black in the Performing Arts Class 16) Week of Jan 7: African American Study 1/7/25 Featured Topics: Music of Motown Class 17) Week of Jan 14: African American Study 1/14/25 Featured Topics: Music of Motown Class 18) Week of Jan 21: African American Study 1/21/25 Featured Topics: Music of Motown Class 19) Week of Jan28: African American Study 1/28/25 Featured Topics: Music of Motown Class 20) Week of Feb 4: African American Study 2/4/25 Featured Topics: Not so Ancient History Class 21) Week of Feb 11: African American Study 2/11/25 Featured Topics: Not so Ancient History Class 22) Week of Feb 18: African American Study 2/18/25 Featured Topics: Not so Ancient History Class 23) Week of Feb 25: African American Study 2/25/25 Featured Topics: Not so Ancient History Class 24) Week of Mar 4: African American Study 3/4/25 Featured Topics: The Indomitable Black Woman Class 25) Week of Mar11: African American Study 3/11/25 Featured Topics: The Indomitable Black Woman Class 26) Week of Mar 18: African American Study 3/18/25 Featured Topics: The Indomitable Black Woman Class 27) Week of Mar 25: African American Study 3/25/25 Featured Topics: The Indomitable Black Woman Class 28) Week of Apr 1 : African American Study 4/1/25 Featured Topics: Nothing new under the sun Class 29) Week of Apr 8 : African American Study 4/8/25 Featured Topics: Nothing new under the sun Class 30) Week of Apr 15 : African American Study 4/15/25 Featured Topics: Nothing new under the sun Class 31) Week of Apr 22 : African American Study 4/22/25 Featured Topics: Nothing new under the sun Class 32) Week of Apr 29 : African American Study 4/29/25 Featured Topics: Black Kids Making a difference Class 33) Week of May 6 : African American Study 5/6/25 Featured Topics: Black Kids Making a difference Class 34) Week of May 13 : African American Study 5/13/25 Featured Topics: The African America Diaspora! How far, how wide? Class 35) Week of May 20 : African American Study 5/20/25 Featured Topics: The African America Diaspora! How far, how wide? Class 36) Week of May 27 : African American Study 5/27/25 Featured Topics: The African America Diaspora! How far, how wide? NOTE: Ongoing courses do not have an end date so once the above topics are completed, new topics will be introduced in upcoming weeks. Come with me and discover! Together, we will take a small step into understanding the people and culture!! This class is all about having fun and learning. No prior knowledge is required. Just a pen and paper! While the class start time is listed, please patiently allow up to 5 minutes past start time in the waiting room before we get started so that most students can arrive and I can follow Outschool’s policies on allowing students to enter.
Learning Goals
Students will improve their understanding of African American Contributions
Other Details
Parental Guidance
It doesn't happen often at all, but due to some policy changes at YouTube, occasionally when I play a video from their platform, a 10second ad comes on beforehand. This is happening a lot with all teachers! I am working VERY HARD and diligently for a workaround. I know it is probably not a big deal, I know, I know…… but like to keep parents informed :)
While the class start time is listed, please patiently allow up to 5 minutes past start time in the waiting room before we get started so that most students can arrive and I can follow Outschool’s policies on allowing students to enter.
"This class will be light hearted in nature, however to keep historical accuracy, very occasional mention of the slave trade, indentured servants and independence wars may be necessary for kids to understand the diversity of the people in the regions. I will absolutely keep it light and to a minimum.
THIS IS SUPER MINIMAL: To keep historical accuracy and integrity of some African American writings and literature, please understand that some language of the time like "Negro" may be in the literature.
Seldom, words (like the N-word), while REMOVED FROM MY CONTENT, may be lightly ELUDED TO in those historical documents, writings and literature. Again, this is very, VERY minimal as I am careful and selective on my choice of African American literature to use."
Fast paced. High energy! Light notes will have to be taken! Some of my class sizes are larger, it keeps the energy going and gives ease to shy students. Please make sure you are ok with the class size BEFORE registering! (FYI, I have ALWAYS taught larger classes and am very skilled at teaching and controlling large groups of 20- 30 students daily for the last 23 years, so this is a breeze, they are in good hands!)
Additional Info:
Discounted enrollments are not eligible for pausing or unenrolling. If you pause more than once for any reason, you can continue the class of course, but will have to go back to full price. If you Unenroll, you will have to go back to full price. **No transfers.
Please don't miss a payment. Outschool runs payments once a week (usually on Sundays) If you miss a payment you must go back to full price. With so many students and parents, it creates a ton of work creating new links every week for those who missed payments. I can no longer do it.
Please also note that pausing does not hold a seat in Outschool's system.
New discounts are not for existing students. New discounts are for students new to the class ONLY. (**No transfers).
One discounted seat per family, other seats must be at regular price (unless you ask me ahead of time, those I will honor)
f you have a DISCOUNTED ENROLLMENT, but your learner has missed 3 classes or more, I have to give the spot to another learner that is waitlisted to come. Spots are scarce, the class is full, and there are others who want to participate.
Student learners can use the same screen, but must be enrolled separately in the class and have their own learner profile with Outschool.
Please be mindful that I do strictly follow the refund policy outlined by Outschool as it pertains to the class. If you are beyond the window for a refund, reach out to me and, as a courtesy, I will try to see if I can assist in another way. However, there is no guarantee that another arrangement can be reached.
Most of you know me well by now and see my heart. I am very nice. But we also have to be mindful that we are not taking advantage of one another :)
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
https://www.britannica.com/
https://wonderfulwanderings.com/
https://www.usafricatrade.org/facts-about-africa/
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource
Joined August, 2023
4.9
106reviews
Rising Star
Teacher expertise and credentials
My family is of Caribbean background originating from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon and France. I grew up in a very mixed Afro-Caribbean household, as my dad is from the island of Dominica. My family is spread across the islands, Africa, France, as well as the Americas. My parents often spoke in African and Caribbean parables, we ate what people would consider exotic foods, our culture was different. I learned the beauty of language and culture, as my family is bilingual (French and English)
I love poetry, art, music and different expressions of the human cultural experience!!! In my spare time I paint a lot! A lot can be learned through the music and artistic expression of people around the world.
Teaching is my passion, and for the past 22 years, I have been lucky to do what I love. I teach 3 classes totaling about 90 teenagers daily. I run a Multi-Cultural Homeschooling Group of over 200 families where I teach children ages 8-12 a variety of subjects. I am also a full-time homeschooling mom to my amazing 11-year-old daughter.
I have a passion to share what I know! In my classes I provide extraordinary experiences through unique use of humor and video during lessons making learning fun in our relaxed classroom setting.
I am always excited to learn new things! The best investment you can make is the one you make in yourself! I work consistently to improve my skills, and continuing professional training is absolutely an integral part. Through the year I take advanced instructor training courses to stay abreast of the current teaching methods and techniques available to prepare for fantastic individual learning opportunities. I pride myself on this. Reviews
Live Group Class
$13
weekly1x per week
50 min
Completed by 24 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
3-18 learners per class
