After breakfast and before reading classes begin, Freedom Schools celebrate a time of Harambee! (Swahili for “let’s pull together), including songs, cheers, chants, stomps, and a Read-Aloud Guest. The purpose is to celebrate our unity of purpose and get the scholars “pumped up” to learn. Scholars shout Freedom School cheer and sing our national motivational song — “Something Inside So Strong” by Ladi Siffre — to build community, celebrate cultural pride, and demonstrate social awareness and action. Video of Harambee in action below.
CDF Freedom Schools
CDF Freedom Schools® are six-week summer programs designed to increase literacy, self-esteem, socio-emotional skills, and a love of learning for children in grades K-8. We disrupt the summer learning slide by keeping scholars engaged and stimulated.
While enrollment is open to all children, our target audience is low-income, public school children, who otherwise may not have access to books and educational enhancement programs during the summer, particularly African-American and families residing in the North-Flint Area CDF Freedom Schools® helps children discover their potential and greatness. We utilize books and a curriculum that celebrates the cultures and contributions of people of color. We also employ young-adult learning facilitators who serve as role models and mentors.
Visit the official Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Site to learn more about our movement.
learn moreharambee!
integrated reading curriculum
CDF Freedom Schools® employs the Integrated Reading Curriculum, which uses age-appropriate books under the national theme for CDF Freedom Schools®, “I Can Make A Difference.”.
In the classrooms where our college-aged learning facilitators lead classes of no more than 10 scholars, scholars are engaged in reading and theme-based hands-on activities as outlined in the Integrated Reading Curriculum. Learning Facilitators lead the scholars in reading several multicultural and inclusive children’s books throughout the summer. These books feature heroes, heroines, and settings that reflect the scholars’ own cultural images and history. Classroom activities related to the day’s reading use a variety of teaching models, including cooperative learning, role playing, and group discussions. These teaching models also include reading aloud, paired reading, creative writing, or visual arts. This range of activities ensures that children with diverse experiences, talents, and levels of confidence in reading and verbal expression are actively engaged.
The curriculum each week focuses on making a difference in myself, in my family, in my community, in my country, and in my world. The last week’s theme is making a difference “with hope, education, and action.” The books are selected by a nationwide panel of educators, family therapists, sociologists and social workers. They must meet the following criteria:
● Are developmentally appropriate.
● Lend themselves to a range of interesting, creative activities.
● Relate authentic history, culture, and heritage through the eyes of teens and children.
● Introduce people of all ages who have made a difference in the lives of others.
● Encourage young people to involve themselves in community service, no matter their circumstances.
● Help children explore fundamental issues related to self-esteem.
● Expand their capacity to dream and to believe that they can make a difference.
afternoon activities
Afterward, scholars participate in community organization lead-afternoon activities. The Flint Freedom Schools Collaborative prioritizes partnerships with local and small businesses that specialize in the following enrichment activities:
● STEM/Robotics
● Entrepreneurship
● Foreign Language & American Sign Language
● Arts Crafts
● Martial Arts
● Financial Literacy
● Cooking
● Storytelling
● +Many more
The scholars may also engage in social action projects and rehearse for the summer finale, which is performed for parents, friends, and community leaders.
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