Soulful Cyphers Lesson Plan We Gon’ Be Alright
Soulful Cyphers • Lesson 1
BHM 2026
Lesson Objective
Students will compare emotional expression across generations through Hip Hop culture, identifying how themes of struggle, joy, and community (Ubuntu) have evolved from "then" to "now." Students will demonstrate self-awareness by creating a spoken word piece or rap.
Core Values
Teacher Preparation
Materials Needed
We Gon’ Be Alright Slides (Lesson 1)
Rhyme & Reason Student Worksheet
Audio samples (Old School vs. Modern)
Large chart paper for "Value Mural"
Essential Question
"How has the way we share our truth changed over 50 years of Hip Hop, and what stays the same?"
Instructional Sequence
1
Hook: The Listening Room (10 mins)
Play 30 seconds of a socially conscious 80s/90s track (e.g., Grandmaster Flash or Lauryn Hill) vs. a modern lyrical artist (e.g., Kendrick Lamar or Little Simz). Have students jot down three emotions they hear in each.
2
Direct Instruction: SEL Ciphers (15 mins)
Introduce the concept of a "Cipher" as a space of communal expression (Ubuntu). Explain how emotional vulnerability has been a tool for survival and success (Ganas) in Black history.
3
Guided Practice: Then vs. Now (15 mins)
Use the Venn Diagram on the worksheet to compare themes: "Struggle for Rights" vs. "Struggle for Mental Health." Discuss how the 'Ganas' (determination) of ancestors allowed today's generation to speak more openly.
4
Creative Task: Write Your Rhythm (30 mins)
Students write a 8-16 line rap or spoken word piece. Prompt: "What is a value you've inherited that helps you face today?"
Differentiation & Support
Scaffolding: Provide sentence stems for the rap (e.g., "They paved the way with... so I can stand with...") and a word bank of the 5 values.
Extension: Students can record their piece over a self-selected beat or create a "cover art" graphic that represents their Ubuntu.
Soulful Cyphers Slides Soulful Cyphers
We Gon’ Be Alright: Lesson 1
#BHM2026 Ubuntu
The Core Value
UBUNTU
"I am because we are."
In the Cipher, no one stands alone. We lift each other's voices to tell a bigger story.
Connection
Sharing your truth helps others find theirs.
The Beat
Our rhythms are inherited from those who came before.
Expression: Then vs. Now
1980s
The Roots
Collective struggle for rights
Physical survival & identity
Public anthems of resistance
2020s
The Rhymes Today
Mental health & vulnerability
Individual emotional truth
Connecting history to daily life
The Listening Room
Close your eyes. Listen to the beats. What do you feel?
Track A: The Message
"Don't push me 'cause I'm close to the edge..."
Track B: Modern Flow
"I got loyalty, got royalty inside my DNA..."
Your Turn: Write the Rhyme
Create 8-16 lines of a rap or spoken word piece that connects your feelings today to a value you inherited.
Truth • Rhythm • Roots
Use the "Rhyme & Reason" worksheet to build your flow.
Rhyme and Reason Worksheet Rhyme and Reason
Soulful Cypher Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Part 1: The Listening Room
Listen to the tracks provided. What emotions do you hear? What is the "energy" of each generation?
THEN: Old School (80s/90s)
Emotion 1:
Emotion 2:
What was their "Why"? (Struggle, Rights, Survival?)
NOW: New School (2010s/Today)
Emotion 1:
Emotion 2:
What is our "Why"? (Mental Health, Identity, Success?)
Part 2: The Value Connection
Ubuntu means "I am because we are." Which ancestor or value from the past allows you to express yourself today?
Part 3: Your Soulful Cypher
8-16 Lines
Draft your spoken word or rap piece below. Focus on honesty and rhythm.
Excellence Feed Lesson Plan Excellence Feed
Lesson 2: Virtus & The Hall of Fame
BHM Series
Lesson Objective
Students will explore the portrayal of Black excellence across generations by creating mood boards and "historical social media posts" for iconic stars. They will analyze how excellence (Virtus) was demonstrated and how today's social media culture would respond to past triumphs.
Core Values
Teacher Preparation
Materials Needed
Excellence Feed Slide Deck
Iconic Post Templates (Physical or Digital)
Magazines/Printed images of Black icons (past and present)
Post-it notes for "Reaction Comments"
Essential Question
"How does capturing excellence through a lens change how we see our history?"
Instructional Sequence
1
Hook: The Unposted Triumph (10 mins)
Show a famous photo of an icon (e.g., Muhammad Ali, Eartha Kitt, or The Supremes). Ask: "If this happened today, what would the caption be? How many likes would it get?"
2
Direct Instruction: Defining Virtus (15 mins)
Explain Virtus (moral excellence and courage). Discuss how Black icons had to show "Virtus" in environments that didn't always value them. Introduce Kenkyo (humility) as the balance to public fame.
3
Main Activity: The Iconic Feed (40 mins)
Students work in groups to select a "Hall of Fame" icon. They create a "Social Media Feed" on chart paper or the template, including a main image, caption, hashtags, and 3 "comments" from other historical or modern figures.
4
Gallery Walk: Comment Section (15 mins)
Students move around the room and use Post-it notes to add "modern reactions" to the historical posts. What would a 2026 middle schooler say to Maya Angelou or Jackie Robinson?
Success Criteria
Clear identification of the icon's "Virtus"
Authentic tone in captions/comments
Visual appeal of the mood board
Historical accuracy of the context
Excellence Feed Slides excellence.app
Excellence Feed
Capturing Virtus Across Generations
The Standard: Virtus
VIRTUS
Moral excellence. Courage. The strength to do what is right, even when the "likes" aren't there.
In Black History:
"It isn't about being the loudest in the room, it's about being the one who changes the room."
Standing tall when history tells you to stay small.
The bridge between fame and legacy.
The Hall of Fame
[Image: Eartha Kitt]
The Rebels
Stars who refused to follow the script.
[Image: Sidney Poitier]
The Trailblazers
Redefining what was possible on screen.
[Image: The Supremes]
The Icons
Style, grace, and cultural impact.
The "Historical Post" Challenge
1
Choose an Icon from the past.
2
Create a "Post" of their biggest triumph.
3
Write a caption that defines their Virtus.
Bonus Task
How would today's generation react? Write 3 comments from 2026 perspective.
Iconic Post Project Guide excellence.app
The Hall of Fame Feed
YOU
The Mission
Choose a Black celebrity, TV star, or icon from history. Create their "Iconic Post"—a moment of excellence (Virtus) that defines their legacy. Don't forget to include how people from both then and now would react!
Icon Pic
Virtus Verified
Draw or describe the moment of excellence here
Hall of Fame
@icon_name
Caption focus: Why was this moment an example of Virtus?
#BlackExcellence #Virtus #Legacy #History
The Comment Section
@historian_pov
@gen_z_now
@kenkyo_vibes
Why did you choose this icon? Leadership Draft Lesson Plan Leadership Draft
Lesson 3: Sankofa & The Advisory Team
BHM Series
Lesson Objective
Students will apply the value of Sankofa by researching historical Black leaders and trailblazers to "draft" a personal Advisory Team. They will analyze the qualities of leadership and how past victories paved the way for modern opportunities.
Core Values
Teacher Preparation
Materials Needed
Leadership Draft Slide Deck
Draft Board Worksheet
"Scouting Reports" (Brief bios of 15-20 leaders)
Optional: Whistle or sports buzzer sound effect
Essential Question
"Who would you want in your corner when the game of life gets tough?"
Instructional Sequence
1
Hook: The Huddle (10 mins)
Ask students to name a modern athlete or leader they admire. Then, show a photo of the "ancestor" who paved the way for them (e.g., LeBron James and Bill Russell). Discuss the "unseen teammates" in history.
2
Direct Instruction: Sankofa (15 mins)
Introduce Sankofa—represented by a bird looking backward while moving forward. Explain that to build a strong future (moving forward), we must draft the wisdom of the past (looking back).
3
Main Activity: The Advisory Draft (40 mins)
Set up the classroom like a "Draft Room." Students review scouting reports and select 3 "Draft Picks" for their personal Advisory Team. They must justify each pick: "I draft [Leader] because I need their [Quality] to help me [Goal]."
4
The Press Conference (15 mins)
Students "announce" their #1 pick to the class and explain how that leader's legacy helps them "level up" today.
Draft Categories
Category 1
Sports & Grit
Category 2
Social Justice
Category 3
Arts & Science
Leadership Draft Slides Draft Day 2026
Leadership Draft
Building Your Advisory Team
ON THE CLOCK: 5TH GRADE • VALUE OF THE DAY: SANKOFA • NEXT PICK: THE TRAILBLAZERS • HISTORY MATTERS
SANKOFA
"Go Back and Get It"
To move forward into the future, we must reach back and bring the best of the past with us.
"I am the dream and the hope of the slave." — Maya Angelou
The Scout's View
We aren't just drafting people; we are drafting qualities.
The Goal
Identify who paved the way for you to play, learn, and lead today.
Scouting Report: The Talent Pool
The Grit
Sports icons who broke the color barrier and changed the game.
Ex: Jackie Robinson, Althea Gibson
The Truth
Social justice leaders who drafted a new blueprint for equality.
Ex: John Lewis, Fannie Lou Hamer
The Vision
Scientists, artists, and creators who saw a world others couldn't.
Ex: Katherine Johnson, Basquiat
The Draft Room Rules
1
Select 3 Advisory Draft Picks from history.
2
Identify 1 Strength you inherit from each pick.
3
Prepare your #1 Pick Announcement for the press.
Leadership Draft Board Worksheet Official Document Sankofa Sports Division
Advisory Draft Board
GM Name:
Franchise:
Sankofa Strategy
"We reach back to move forward. Your advisory team consists of historical giants whose shoulders you stand on today. Choose wisely."
Your Team Motto
Pick #1
Leader Name
Legacy Category
Grit
Truth
Vision
Scouting Report: Why are they on your team?
Pick #2
Leader Name
Legacy Category
Grit
Truth
Vision
Scouting Report: Why are they on your team?
Pick #3
Leader Name
Legacy Category
Grit
Truth
Vision
Scouting Report: Why are they on your team?
Press Conference Statement
"Our #1 pick represents everything our team stands for because..."
Masks and Remotes Lesson Plan Masks and Remotes
Lesson 4: Ganas & Internal Realities
BHM Series
Lesson Objective
Students will explore the internal vs. external experiences of Black men by designing a "Level Up Remote" and creating paper masks. They will discuss common stereotypes, the importance of "Ganas" (the will to succeed), and how to control their own narrative.
Core Values
Teacher Preparation
Materials Needed
Masks and Remotes Slide Deck
Level Up Remote Activity Sheet
Inside Out Mask Guide
Paper plates or Cardstock (for masks)
Art supplies (markers, glue, etc.)
Essential Question
"How do we stay in control of our own story when the world tries to give us a script?"
Instructional Sequence
1
Hook: Remote Control (10 mins)
Ask: "If you could change one thing about how the world sees you with a button, what would it be?" Introduce the idea that we have the "remote" to our own "Level Up."
2
Activity 1: The Level Up Remote (25 mins)
Students design a remote where each button represents a Black icon and the specific "Power" or "Value" they provide (e.g., A "LeBron James" button for Work Ethic, a "James Baldwin" button for Truth-telling).
3
Activity 2: The Mask Project (40 mins)
Students create a paper mask. Outside of mask: Stereotypes or expectations Black men face. Inside of mask: Real dreams, fears, and hopes. Discussion focus: How does "Kenkyo" (humility) help us navigate these two worlds?
4
Closing: The Ganas Commitment (10 mins)
Each student shares one "Level Up" button they are going to press this week to push through a challenge.
Facilitation Note
This lesson addresses stereotypes about Black men. Ensure the classroom is a safe, brave space. Encourage students to be honest about the masks they feel they have to wear and how the value of Ganas (willpower) helps them stay true to themselves.
Masks and Remotes Slides Masks & Remotes
Lesson 4: Leveling Up Your Reality
Control
Identity
Ganas: The Power Button
"Desire. Will. Hunger."
Ganas is the internal drive to push through when the world tells you to stop. It's the "Level Up" energy.
Level Up Habits:
Resilience over Reactions
Purpose over Performance
Discipline over Drama
Designing Your Remote
A
B
X
Y
Choose Your Icons
Each button on your remote is a Black icon from history or today. What power do they give you when you press it?
VOL +
Amplifying the truth (Ex: James Baldwin)
REWIND
Learning from mistakes (Ex: Sankofa)
The Mask: Inside vs. Outside
Outside
"What the world sees..."
Stereotypes
Expectations
"The Cool Pose"
The Script
Inside
"What you really feel..."
Dreams
Fears
Legacy
The REAL You
Level Up Remote Template Level Up Remote
Ganas Power Grid
Manual: Lesson 4
The Mission
Design your "Level Up" remote. Each button is a Black icon from history or today. Label the button with the Icon's name and describe the "Power" they give you when you face a challenge.
GANAS
VOL +
Icon:
VOL -
Icon:
Main Power
The Internal Will
Ganas Grid
UNITY 2026
Button Legend (Power Explanations)
1. Button: ____________ Power: ________________
2. Button: ____________ Power: ________________
3. Button: ____________ Power: ________________
4. Button: ____________ Power: ________________
Emotional Echoes Lesson Plan Emotional Echoes
Lesson 5: The Other Wes Moore & Letters of Hope
BHM Series
Lesson Objective
Students will explore how environment and choice impact identity by analyzing the story of "The Other Wes Moore." They will match a 100-year soundtrack of Black emotions to historical moments and write "Legacy Letters" of hope to younger students in their school community.
Core Values
Teacher Preparation
Materials Needed
Emotional Echoes Slide Deck
Summary of "The Other Wes Moore"
Soundtrack of Emotions Sheet
Legacy Letter Stationery
Audio player for "The 100-Year Mix"
Essential Question
"How do our choices and our community (Ubuntu) echo into the future?"
Instructional Sequence
1
The 100-Year Soundtrack (15 mins)
Play short clips of songs representing 100 years of emotional history (e.g., Spirituals, Jazz, Motown, Neo-Soul, Drill). Students match the "vibe" of the song to the historical era it came from.
2
Case Study: The Two Wes Moores (20 mins)
Share the core narrative of "The Other Wes Moore." Discuss how two people with the same name and neighborhood ended up with different legacies. Focus on the role of community support (Ubuntu) and personal choices.
3
Mediation Circle: Legacy & Hope (20 mins)
Sit in a circle. Each student shares one "Emotional Echo" they want to leave behind. What do you want to be remembered for? How do you want to help the person coming after you?
4
Task: The Legacy Letter (35 mins)
Students write a letter to a student in the grade below them (e.g., 8th to 7th). The letter should share: 1) What makes them strong, 2) One thing that scares them, and 3) What gives them hope to get through middle school.
SEL Integration
Self-Awareness: Recognizing their own fears and sources of hope.
Social Awareness: Empathizing with the journey of younger students and historical figures.
Emotional Echoes Slides Emotional Echoes
We Gon’ Be Alright: Lesson 5
Ubuntu Kenkyo
The 100-Year Soundtrack
Music is the emotional record of our history. For 100 years, every generation has used rhythm to say what they couldn't speak.
Generational Vibes:
1920s-40s: Endurance & Resilience
1960s-70s: Pride & Revolution
1990s-2000s: Identity & Success
Today: Vulnerability & Hope
[Insert Audio Player Here]
How does the "Vibe" change over time?
The Echo of Choice
"One Name. Two Fates."
The story of the Two Wes Moores shows us that our environment provides the beat, but we choose the lyrics.
"The chilling truth is that Wes’s story could have been mine; the tragedy is that my story could have been his." — Wes Moore
Choice
The power we have internally (Ganas).
Ubuntu
The net of community that catches us.
The Legacy Letter
Write a letter to a student in the grade below you. Be the Ubuntu they need next year.
Strength
What makes you strong?
Fear
What scares you?
Hope
What gives you hope?
Legacy Letter Template Legacy Letter
Emotional Echoes • Lesson 5
Name:
Current Grade:
Part 1: The 100-Year Mix
Listen to the song clips. Match the "Emotional Vibe" to the era of Black History.
1. 1920s - Harlem Renaissance Vibe: ____________
2. 1960s - Civil Rights Era Vibe: ____________
3. 1990s - Golden Age Hip Hop Vibe: ____________
4. 2020s - Today's Voice Vibe: ____________
A Letter of Hope
Ubuntu in Action
Dear future
grader,
You are following in my footsteps. Here is what I want you to know about surviving and thriving...
What makes me strong is:
Something that scares me about middle school is:
What gives me hope to keep going (my Ganas) is:
My advice to you as a fellow community member is:
Sincerely,
Your Ubuntu Partner
Sankofa Hunt Worksheet Grand Finale Roots & Rhymes Series
Sankofa Hunt
100 Years of History • 5 Core Values • 1 Mission
The Mission
To complete the Sankofa Hunt, you must "go back and get" the knowledge scattered through the room/school. Each task connects to one of our core values. Find the answers, capture the history, and unlock the final reflection.
Team Name
Ubuntu
The Community Circle
Find an icon from the 1960s Civil Rights era who believed "I am because we are." List their name and one way they helped their community stand together.
Virtus
Excellence Unlocked
Identify a Black Television or Film icon who demonstrated moral courage. What was the "Standard of Excellence" they set for those who followed?
Ganas
The Will to Win
Find a Sports Draft Pick from Lesson 3. How did they use "Ganas" to break a barrier that once stood in their way?
Kenkyo
The Quiet Strength
Locate a Scientist or Inventor whose name might not be on every headline (Humility), but whose work changed your daily life today.
Final Sankofa Checkpoint
"You cannot know where you are going unless you know where you have been."
Where you've been:
Name one thing from this month's history that surprised you most.
Where you're going:
Which core value will you carry with you into the next year?
Sankofa Hunt Lesson Plan Sankofa Hunt
Lesson 6: Culminating 100-Year Challenge
BHM Series
Lesson Objective
Students will synthesize their learning from the past five lessons by participating in a "Sankofa Hunt"—a scavenger hunt that tests their knowledge of 100 years of Black history and the application of the five core values. This serves as the final assessment and celebration of Black History Month.
Values Review
Virtus
Kenkyo
Sankofa
Ubuntu
Ganas
Teacher Preparation
Materials Needed
Sankofa Hunt Scavenger Sheets
Posters of icons/eras from Lessons 1-5 (placed around school/room)
"Final Reflection" stickers or stamps
Small prizes or "Excellence Certificates"
Teacher Setup
"Place 'Historical Stations' in corners of the room or hallway. Each station should have 2-3 facts about an era or icon from the month's lessons."
Instructional Sequence
1
The Sankofa Briefing (10 mins)
Review the five values one last time. Explain the rules of the hunt: 1) Teams of 3, 2) Move with "Kenkyo" (humility/quiet respect), 3) All members must contribute to the "Ubuntu" of the team.
2
The Hunt (45 mins)
Students move through the stations to find answers to their scavenger sheets. They must identify how specific people showed specific values (e.g., How did Katherine Johnson show Ganas?).
3
Final Circle: The Lock-In (20 mins)
Gather back. Each team shares their "Sankofa Find"—the most powerful thing they 'went back and got' this month. Conduct the final checkpoint reflection on the back of the sheet.
4
Awards & Legacy (15 mins)
Hand out certificates. If possible, deliver the "Legacy Letters" from Lesson 5 to the younger students today to conclude the month with a tangible act of Ubuntu.
Curriculum Completion
"You have completed the Roots and Rhymes series. You are now part of the 100-year echo. Use your Virtus, Kenkyo, Sankofa, Ubuntu, and Ganas to build the next 100 years."
Sankofa Hunt Slides A Century of Black Excellence
We Gon’ Be Alright
Sankofa Hunt
The Ultimate 100-Year Challenge
Mission Briefing
To complete the Sankofa Hunt, you must move through the room to unlock 100 years of history.
The Rules:
Work in your Ubuntu teams
Find all 5 value checkpoints
Complete the Final Reflection
SANKOFA
"It is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot."
The 5 Value Stations
Ubuntu
Community Connections
Virtus
Moral Excellence
Ganas
The Will to Win
Sankofa
Wisdom of the Past
Kenkyo
Quiet Strength
We Gon’ Be Alright
"We are the products of 100 years of excellence. Our values are our power. Our history is our heartbeat."
Hunt Starts Now!
