From Babylon To Timbuktu: A History Of The Ancient Block Teacher Galler

How a Book on Ancient Black History Inspired a Block Teacher Galler

A block teacher galler is a term used to describe a teacher who uses art and creativity to engage students in learning about history and culture. One such teacher is Michael Johnson, who teaches at a high school in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Johnson has been using a book called From Babylon to Timbuktu: A History of the Ancient Black Races Including the Black Hebrews by Rudolph R. Windsor as a source of inspiration for his lessons.

The book, first published in 1969, traces the history of black civilizations from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to medieval Africa and beyond. It challenges the common misconception that black people have little or no history, and highlights their contributions to world civilization. The book also explores the origins and migrations of the black Hebrews, who were among the earliest inhabitants of the Middle East and Africa.

Johnson says he was fascinated by the book when he first read it, and decided to share it with his students. He says he wanted to show them that they have a rich and diverse heritage that they can be proud of. He also wanted to spark their curiosity and creativity by using art as a medium of expression.

He started by assigning his students to read chapters from the book and then create artworks based on what they learned. He gave them freedom to choose any medium they liked, such as painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, or digital art. He also encouraged them to research more about the topics they were interested in, and to share their findings with their classmates.

The result was a stunning display of artworks that showcased the students' talents and knowledge. The artworks ranged from portraits of ancient kings and queens, to maps of historical regions, to symbols of cultural identity. Some of the artworks also incorporated elements of Aboriginal culture, reflecting the students' own backgrounds and experiences.

Johnson says he was amazed by the quality and diversity of the artworks, and by the enthusiasm and engagement of his students. He says he saw them grow in confidence and self-esteem as they learned more about their history and culture. He also says he saw them develop critical thinking and communication skills as they discussed and presented their artworks.

He decided to organize a block teacher galler, which is a term he coined to describe a gallery exhibition created by teachers and students. He invited other teachers, students, parents, and community members to view the artworks and learn more about ancient black history. He says he received positive feedback from everyone who attended, and that many people expressed interest in reading the book or learning more about the topic.

Johnson says he plans to continue using From Babylon to Timbuktu as a source of inspiration for his lessons, and to create more block teacher gallers in the future. He says he hopes his project will inspire other teachers and students to explore their own history and culture through art and creativity. aa16f39245