Wus Really Good Wit Chu? AAVE & Black English Lesson Grades 6–12 Black History

Teach students the rich cultural roots and impact of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) with this engaging 1–2-day lesson plan! Perfect for Black History Month or a culturally responsive ELA unit, this interactive resource explores the history, evolution, and influence of Black English—from slavery to social media.

Students will learn how language was a tool of survival, resistance, and identity for African Americans, and how AAVE continues to shape popular culture, communication, and community. This is more than a “slang” lesson—it’s a celebration of Black brilliance through language.

✨ What’s Included:

• 📖 Reading Passage: The origins of Black English (slavery, code-switching, evolution of AAVE)
• 🗣️ Discussion Prompts: Critical thinking questions to get the classroom talking
• 📝 10-Question “Decode This” Quiz: Students translate AAVE sentences into Standard English
• 🧩 Crossword Puzzle: “Say What? – The Language of Black Brilliance”
• 🔎 Word Search: “Decoded: Black Talk, Black Truth” with culturally relevant terms
• 🧠 Wrap-up Activity Idea: Bonus writing extension for student reflection
• AAVE Explained - Video Bonus to add with the Lesson!

✅ Perfect For:

• Middle & High School ELA (Grades 6–12)
• Black History Month, Heritage Units, or Language Studies
• ESL, Speech, or Language Arts Enrichment
• Teachers looking for relevant, engaging, and affirming content

Let your students see language through a new lens—one that affirms identity, sparks curiosity, and honors culture.

🎯 “AAVE isn’t broken English. It’s brilliant English.”

✅ Common Core Standards (Grades 6–12 ELA)

These align with comprehension, language development, and cultural responsiveness:

✍🏽 Reading Informational Text

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.2–RI.12.2
• Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.6–RI.12.6
• Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed.

🧠 Language

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.3–L.12.3
• Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.4–L.12.4
• Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade-level reading and content.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.5–L.12.5
• Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

💬 Speaking & Listening

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1–SL.12.1
• Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led).