This is how we start each and every day!

Harambee! is a Swahili word that means “all pull together.”

To ensure that every child has a fair start, the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools starts the day with informal sharing when children, staff, parents, and members of the community come together to celebrate themselves and others.

Harambee! Components:

•Read Aloud •Motivational Song

•Cheers/Chants •Recognitions

•Moment of Silence

•Announcements

Reinforced Skills:

•Repetition •Call and Response

•Gross/Fine Motor Skills

•Listening •Sequencing

•Visual/Auditory/Kinesthetic Learners

The higher you build your barriers

The taller I become

The farther you take my rights away

The faster I will run

You can deny me

You can decide to turn your face away

No matter, cos there's...

Something inside so strong

I know that I can make it

Tho' you're doing me wrong, so wrong

You thought that my pride was gone

Oh no, something inside so strong

Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

The more you refuse to hear my voice

The louder I will sing

You hide behind walls of Jericho

Your lies will come tumbling

Deny my place in time

You squander wealth that's mine

My light will shine so brightly

It will blind you

Cos there's...

Something inside so strong

I know that I can make it

Tho' you're doing me wrong, so wrong

You thought that my pride was gone

Oh no, something inside so strong

Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

Brothers and sisters

When they insist we're just not good enough

When we know better

Just look 'em in the eyes and say

I'm gonna do it anyway [x4]

Something inside so strong

And I know that I can make it

Tho' you're doing me wrong, so wrong

You thought that my pride was gone

Oh no, something inside so strong

Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

Brothers and sisters

When they insist we're just not enough

When we know better

Just look 'em in the eyes and say

I'm gonna do it anyway [x4]

Because there's something inside so strong

And I know that I can make it

Tho' you're doing me, so wrong

Oh no, something inside so strong

Oh oh oh oh oh something inside so strong

During Harambee, there is a specific part for a read-aloud guest. Read-aloud guests can be family members or members of the community! To become a read-aloud guest, please email easttnfreedomschools@gmail.com.

Parent and community volunteers are welcome to join and help within our classrooms, whether it be during Harambee, our Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC), afternoon activities, or school events.

To do so, please email easttnfreedomschools@gmail.com

Additional site-specific contact information is on our Connect page

The core of our program is the Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC). This is what informs the books our scholars read and the exercises and activities they engage in to enhance their comprehension, recall, and critical thinking.

We think of books in two ways. Books are like mirrors that allow us to see ourselves and others that look like me. Those books tell us stories that are familiar and easy to relate to. Books are also like windows that give us a view into other people, places, lives, and experiences. These provide broadening experiences and provide an opportunity to grow in understanding and empathy.

The IRC is research-based and a select set of authors, historians, and scholars ensure that the selected books celebrate and nurture multiple racial identities and cultures and contain accurate narratives.

Stem

• Learn & Practice the Scientific Method

• Experiments in microbiology, physics, chemistry, electricity, & geoscience

Math Talks

• Playing with mental math

• Having fun talking about different ways to solve a problem

Financial Literacy

• Imagine you are a 26-year-old

• Choose a profession & family situation

• Choose how you will spend & save

Fitness & Health

• Learn how to eat healthily

• Learn and participate in exercises, sports, and yoga

Self Care

• Learn how to cope

• Learn how to manage emotions

• Learn how to care for others

Art

• Build confidence & teamwork

• Create various works for newsletter & finale

• Drawing/coloring/crafting

• Sewing

Music

• Learn basics of music: reading and playing

• Create instruments

• Drumming/Guitar/Singing

Dance

• Develop and perform a dance routine