Search form

Celebrate Black HistoryCelebrate Black History Month

Black history and culture is such a part of the American fabric -- and the school curriculum -- that it's difficult to imagine a time when that wasn't so. Established as Negro History Week in the 1920s by Carter G. Woodson, February was chosen for the celebration because Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born in this month. Extended to a month-long celebration in 1976, Black History Month is an opportunity to emphasize the history and achievements of African Americans.

A Black History Treasure Hunt
Students learn about famous black Americans while polishing their Internet surfing skills. Four different hunts -- for students of all ages. Student work sheets included.

Five Lessons in Black History
Primary source materials teach about Rosa Parks, school integration, and the growth of the African-American population throughout history. Plus: Students create a database/timeline and write a rap about a famous figure in Black History. More!

Lessons to Celebrate Black History Month
Ten innovative activities to help you incorporate the African-American experience into your curriculum all year long.

Langston Hughes Was a Dreamer Too
Learn how Langston Hughes expressed his dreams through poetry. (Grades 2-12)

Now Let Me Fly -- A Black History Reader's Theater Script
Celebrate Black History Month by staging a classroom production of this play. (Grades 3-12)

Activities Celebrate Achievements of African Americans
Activities that reflect the positive impact black Americans have had on our nation's history. Included: Internet-based activities to celebrate Black History Month.

The Road to Freedom: Using the WWW to Teach About Slavery
These activities will help students trace the journey to freedom and learn about some of the heroes who paved the way. Included: Activities for teaching about slavery across the grades and the curriculum.

Climb Aboard the Underground Railroad T.O.U.R.
An online project for those studying the Underground Railroad. Project coordinators say, "Climb aboard!" You will share, learn, and uncover a bit of America's lost past.

Celebrating African American History Month
Lesson plans to encourage students to explore the history of African Americans, learn about their struggles, and celebrate their successes.

Brown v. Board of Education Celebrates 50 Years
On the fiftieth anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in the case of Brown v. Board of Education, Education World offers this special lesson planning resource. Included: Links to more than 3 dozen lessons.

An Experiment in Unfair Treatment/Prejudice
Pauline Finlay, who teaches at Holy Trinity Elementary School in Torbay, Newfoundland (Canada), submitted this lesson, which offers a simple experiment to help launch a discussion of unfair treatment and prejudice/bias. (Grades 3-12)

The African American Experience: A Research Quilt
Introduce students to the research process as they construct a quilt square highlighting the achievements of a famous Black American. Share the quilt with your community.

A Mirror Into History
Students create poems about themselves and a famous African American. They will see that they are not so different from the great people of our past and present.

Famous African-American Fabric Portraits
Doris Metcalf, who recently retired from the Florence (Alabama) City Schools, submitted this lesson, in which students create a fabric-portrait exhibit of famous African Americans. (Grades 6-12)

The Amistad Comes to Life!
Activities across the grades and across the curriculum bring to life the story of the revolt on the Amistad.

Habari Gani? -- What's the News?
Learn about Kwanzaa, the world's fastest growing holiday, with these activities and Internet links.

Martin Luther King
Education World presents a special Martin Luther King Day archive page that includes articles, lesson ideas, books, activities, and much more.

 

 

More Resources for Teaching About Black History Month

Crafts

Art Projects

Crafts and Supplies

 

Sounds

Black History Audio

History of Jazz

Black History Month Speeches

Black History Month Videos

Recipes

Sesame Cookies

 

Activities

Crossword Puzzle

Word Search Puzzle

Pre-School Activities

 

 

Updated 01/26/2017