Welcome to Lumumbas Literacy Project

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Lumumba's Literacy Project is patterned after the theory of multiple intelli-

gences developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at

Harvard University. This theory suggests our schools and culture focus most

of their attention on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence. Our

culture places great value on the highly articulate and logical thinkers of our

society. However, Dr. Gardner says that we should also place equal attention

on individuals who show gifts in the other intelligences: the artists, architects,

musicians, naturalists, designers, dancers, therapists, entrepreneurs, and

others who enrich the world in which we live.

Our approach is to develop and implement principles, practices and tech-

niques for multicultural teaching and learning. By doing so, we believe stu-

dents will be more engaged and inspired to have a sustained desire to read,

write and speak the English language. This will lead to greater educational

successes and outcomes for diverse populations of inner city students.

"Lumumba's Playground", is an exciting half-hour educational children's televi-

sion show, designed to engage, educate, and entertain children ages 7-11

years .. The program, based in Washington, DC, is designed to be culturally

appealing to all youngsters, particularly African American and minority popula-

tions. It is unique in that it is not just for children; parents and educators can

learn from the episode, "Let Your Genius Fly". Educational theory is pre-

sented in a creative and fundamental way that everyone can understand and

enjoy. In this episode, the cast consist of: Lumumba, who appears as a

mascot character and in animation; Griot Naida, the teacher, and 8 children

from diverse ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.

"Let Your Genius Fly" has a base story line about Princess Bianca, a butterfly

who is taunted by other butterflies for being much larger than they are. She

thinks she has a problem fitting in due to low self-esteem. What she discov-

ers, with the help of Lumumba and the other children, is that everyone has

challenges to face or overcome, and if you believe in yourself you will find

your genius and fly with it. Surrounding the story line, are songs, animation

and creative vignettes that combine dance, music, drama and poetry to teach

sentence structure and life science.

Concrete scientific evidence of its success does not yet exist because it has

not been tested. That's what we'll be seeking grant money to do.

However, the principles, practices and techniques of the "Lumumba Method:

Laughing and Learning with Language", are an integral part of the practices

that Ms. Ward implemented in her classrooms as a DCPS teacher. Further, the

greatest reward and measure of achievement is the fact that she was voted

by the majority of the entire 9th grade student body as the "Best Female

Teacher" in her first year of teaching. That was enhanced by her nomination

by the principal and the English department chair for the Metropolitan Life

Teacher Achievement Award.

Other evidence of success would include the personal journal entries of the

eight children who participated in the pilot episode, with the assistance of

their parents. We only had five Saturdays of two-hour rehearsals, under my

direction. Had the parents not worked with the children at home, this could

have never worked. Their buy-in was essential in the process.