Black History Month is the perfect time to explore the incredible stories and contributions of Black leaders, artists, and innovators throughout history. Whether you’re diving into inspiring videos, reading eye-opening books, or solving fun puzzles, there are so many ways to learn and celebrate. It’s all about discovering new perspectives, sparking curiosity, and having meaningful conversations. Black History Month is a great time to continue stories you can share all year long.
Why Should You Teach Black History Month in Your Classroom?
Black History can be a part of the curriculum all year long, and Black History Month is another part of the year to highlight those who contributed to our nation’s (and world’s) history. Start your Black History lessons with a study of Civil Rights and the Civil Rights Movement.
Civil Rights Lessons
Civil Rights is still an important topic in our classrooms. Even though the Civil Rights Movement was in the 1960s, there are still struggles that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color face every day in and outside of education. Here are some ways to teach about the Civil Rights Movement.
First, The Civil Rights Escape Room includes topics such as Civil Rights, Rosa Parks, Brown v Board, Plessy v Ferguson, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Overall, these Black History Month topics are important parts of American History for all students to learn.
With this activity, students will move around the classroom with reading passages while visiting 5 stations. At each station, they will determine a 4-digit code and reveal a “letter clue” to determine the final ALPHA code and escape.
The stations include:
- Fill in the Blank
- Find the Paragraph
- True or False
- Lock Combination
- Multiple Choice
Escape rooms are such a unique way for your students to learn about Black History Month topics!
Black History Month Books
Another way to celebrate Black History Month in your classroom is by reading! There are so many books to showcase Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) voices with your students. Whether your students are reading nonfiction, fiction, or even checking out picture books, there is something for everyone.
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
One novel to share with your students is Walter Dean Myers’s graphic novel version of the novel Monster. Monster is a powerful, award-winning book that’s perfect for Black History Month, especially for middle school students.
It tells the story of Steve Harmon, a young Black teenager on trial for murder and robbery who imagines his life as a movie. In addition, it explores the challenges he faces in the justice system. Your students learn about race, identity, and the impact of societal stereotypes. This book opens up important discussions about justice and inequality, making it an excellent choice for young readers during Black History Month. Walter Dean Myers is an important young adult author to study during Black History Month.
Black Women in Science: A Black History Book for Kids
One of the books in the Biographies for Kids series showcases Black women scientists who made a huge difference in the world. Stories include NASA innovations Mae Jemison, Annie Easley, and Bessie Coleman. Medical trailblazers Mamie Phipps Clark, Jane Cooke Wright, and many more are also included in this nonfiction text perfect for Black History Month.
I Am Ruby Bridges
In 1960, Ruby Bridges became the first Black child to integrate a white school. She was just six years old, and she has told her story for the last 63 years, this time in a gorgeous picture book perfect for all ages to read during Black History Month. Share this special story with your students about a brave young girl who stood up for her rights and paved the way for other students.
Whom Should You Celebrate During Black History Month?
Black History Month is a time to share and celebrate all black voices. There are many Black historical figures’ stories you can share through lessons and games. So many Black Americans helped shape the history of this country.
Rosa Parks
First, Rosa Parks played a pivotal role during the Civil Rights Movement when she refused to move to the back of the bus. This started the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Learn more about Rosa Parks with the Rosa Parks Cube Station Reading Comprehension Activity.
Students have a reading passage and move around the classroom visiting six stations to earn a part of their cube and determine a 4-digit code (stations 1-5) before moving on to the next station. Finally, station six has a writing activity to complete. Your kids put together the cubes and color them, making them perfect visuals to showcase Black History Month learning in the classroom.
Your students learn about Rosa Parks, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr., and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with this fun activity.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Learn about MLK, Jr., one of the greatest Civil Rights leaders of all time. Start by sharing a Martin Luther King, Jr. nonfiction reading passage with a self-grading quiz. This Google Form contains editable questions, so you can differentiate for all your learners.
The passage teaches your kids about Martin Luther King Jr., “I Have a Dream” speech, Rosa Parks, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and more.
Other Notable Black Americans
In my Black History Month escape room, your students will read and solve puzzles about some incredible Black historical figures from throughout American History. These Black History Month heroes include:
- Barack Obama
- Ruby Bridges
- Frederick Douglass
- Thurgood Marshall
- Maya Angelou
Encourage your students to learn about lesser-known Black History Month figures and BIPOC members of their own communities.
Remember, that Black History Month shouldn’t just be a one-time study of Civil Rights and Black History. It’s important to share minority voices in all content areas: science, social studies, English, and more. From escape rooms and reading passages to special novels and nonfiction books, it’s time to share stories during Black History Month and all year long. What Black History Month lessons will you share in your classroom?
