The Belmar History + Art project is a civic initiative by the City of Santa Monica that honors the African American communities of the historic Belmar neighborhood—an area whose rich history had been largely forgotten until the scholarship of historian Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson brought it back into public memory through her book Living the California Dream. In collaboration with the UCLA History-Geography Project, Dr. Jefferson’s work inspired the development of five lesson plans for 3rd grade, 4th grade, 8th grade, 11th grade, and Ethnic Studies classrooms. A small cohort of skilled teacher leaders translated her research into engaging, grade-specific lessons that explore themes of racial justice, community resilience, and local history, aligned with California’s History-Social Science Framework. To access the lessons, please see the links below.
Curriculum
Belmar History + Art Project
The Historic Belmar Neighborhood with Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson
How did African Americans in Santa Monica work to make the “California Dream” a Reality?
Lessons
3rd Grade & 4th Grade
What actions did people take in order to live freely in my community? What informed actions can we take today?
11th Grade
How can memorials help us understand continuity and change in our community?
Ethnic Studies
What can we learn from the hidden history of African American resistance to institutionalized racism in Santa Monica?