The K-5 Black History Book Club

This is NOT a regular book club. K-5 students will learn about Black History from a certified secondary social science educator of 12 years, and the various books we read together. They'll also be challenged with questions and text analyses that are aligned with Afrocentric principles (like the Africana Studies Framework), Common Core standards, as well as a deeper reflection of their identity and purpose.

Black children will be given the tools needed to build racial and cultural esteem, as well as the importance of working collectively to achieve our purpose as a community. Non-Black students will learn the tenets of effective allyship and strengthen their scope of diversity and creative critical thinking. Additionally, this course prepares students for middle and high school, and expands their career aspirations.

Not only will this course impact your children, but it will also impact children across the country (and world). A majority of the proceeds raised from this course will help fund a scholarship that will assist African American college students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign complete their degree.

I look forward to teaching you and your child. Let me know if you have any questions by emailing me at info@ernestcrim.com

Tentative Fall Dates (2024):

• September 9th, 16th & 23rd - MAONO (vision) & KUJICHAGULIA (self-determination)
• October 7th, (none the 14th for Indigenous), 21st and 28th UJAMAA (cooperative economics), KUUMBA (creativity) & NIA (purpose)

• November 4th, 12th (this is a Tuesday) & 18th (none the 11th for Veterans Day and the 25th for Family Day) UJIMA (collective and responsibility)
• December 2nd, 9th and 16th (no class the 23rd for Christmas and 30th for NYE) KUUMBA (creativity)

Spring Dates (2025):

• January 13th, 20th and 27th
• February 3rd, 10th and 24th (during February, I will only be able to teach one LIVE class, due to my increased speaking schedule. However, I will send pre-recorded lessons to all students).
• March 3rd, 10th (pre-recorded class) and 17th
• April 7th, 14th, 28th (this class will be prerecorded)
• May 5th, 12th and 19th (this will be our last class of the spring semester)

*We transition to a once a month class during the summer to accommodate travel and vacation schedules. Additionally, dates are subject to change, due to a variety of factors, like the facilitators work schedule, and holidays,

Tentative Summer Dates (2025)

• On June 9th
• On July 21st
• On August 25th

Instructor bio: Mr. Ernest Crim III, is an award-winning certified high school social science instructor, who after teaching for 12 years in the Chicagoarea, decided to commit to teaching our community on a global scale by providing private online Black History courses, free social media content, books and speaking engagements. Mr. Crim is a native of the south side of Chicago, and a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (B.A.) and Roosevelt University (in Chicago) (M.A.).

FAQs

• Where are the classes? All classes are taught over ZOOM (on Monday at 6pm CST).
• How long are the classes? Classes last one hour.
• Is there an online database for this course? No, these classes are taught live, but you can access previous recordings when I email them. For example, you can access the previous school year's classes HERE.  
• Does my child need to buy any books? No. I'll be reading to them over ZOOM with a device that allows the book to be displayed on the screen, as if they're watching it on TV. However, each book we're reading would make a great addition to their library.
• Where can I find the books if I want to buy them? You can find them at THIS LINK. This list is updated each semester. 
• Will my kids have homework? No, but I assign Lifework that includes practices they should be incorporating daily. 
• What if I have to miss a class? I'll email you a recording each week.
• Can my child join if they aren't in K-5th grade? Yes, whether they are younger or older, it is up to parent to decide. I think this course is beneficial for all ages, personally. In the past we've had four-year old students and high school students. It's important to understand that the pacing will be based on the K-5 demographic, however.
• Can I cancel whenever I want? Yes you can.