Black History Month Teacher Resources

Black History Month began in 1915, when historian Carter G. Woodson began the “Negro History Week” to honor the contributions of African Americans. He chose the second week of February to pay respect to two Americans who changed the lives of African Americans forever. Former President Abraham Lincoln’s tribute falls on February 12^th, while former slave and social reformer Frederick Douglass’ remembrance lands on February 14^th. The resources below will provide more information, lessons, and activities that will help educators bring Black History into the classroom, not just in February, but year-round!

Elementary Lessons & Activities

• Martin Luther King Jr. and Nonviolent Resistance: Lesson plan about Martin Luther King Jr.’s use of nonviolent resistance
• Lesson Plan – Rosa Parks: Language arts, technology, and social studies lesson plan for 3-5 graders about Rosa Parks.
• Black History Month – Activities and Resources: Lots of resources for children, including quizzes about important figures and Black History reading resources.
• Black History Month – Teacher Resources: Large collection of Black History Month printables, slideshows, lessons, and activities.
• Teachers First Resources for Black History: Over 40 Black History teacher resources, such as ideas, interactive materials, and research information.
• Brain Pop Spotlight Black History: Here you will find a Harlem Renaissance lesson plan, civil rights quiz, and tons of lesson plans.
• Celebrating African American History Month: Brief history of Black History Month and five interactive student lesson plans.
• Africans in America: Historical narrative and teacher’s guide showing America’s journey through slavery, presented in four parts.
• Culture & Change – Black History in America: Projects regarding the chronicles of slavery and emancipation, leading to the civil rights movement.
• The Underground Railroad: Map of Michigan’s Underground Railroad and interactive points of interest locations.
• Lesson Plans and Teacher Guides: Brief history of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as well as curriculum materials and lesson plans.
• Activities for Black History: Children can celebrate Black History Month through fun activities, and information on culture.
• Literacy Calendar: Black History Month: A collection of lessons and activities for pre-adolescent learners on Black History, centering Black authors, poets, and illustrators.

Middle & High School Lessons & Activities

• The Emancipation Proclamation: History, audio clip, and photographs of the primary documents of the Emancipation Proclamation.
• Downloadable Activities for Black History: List of activities on Black history topics, such as a civil rights timeline
• Black History Stamps: Lesson plan to honor the contributions of black Americans through U.S. commemorative postage stamps.
• National Register of Historic Places: Information and photographs of historic properties that were contributions of African American culture.
• Black History Curriculum: List of Black History Month lesson plans, activities, and curriculum materials for grades 6-8.
• African American History Lesson Plans: Collection of lessons plans regarding African American history.
• Slavery and Abolitionism: In-depth information on slavery and abolitionism, as well as a list of related lesson plans.
• Black History Month – The Power of Nonviolence: Here you will find 3 lesson plans and several podcasts.
• Martin Luther King, Jr.: Students learn quotations from and complete a series of questions on Martin Luther King, Jr.
• 10 Lesser-known Black History Month Sites Across America: An overview of lesser-known but important black history month sites in the US.
• An Overview of Black History: Information and video to give students a general overview of Black History.
• The African American Mosaic: Resource guide from the Library of Congress for the study of black history and culture.
• Internet African American History Challenge: Students can complete these history questions to challenge their knowledge of African American history.
• Civil War and Reconstruction: Information, teaching kits, and activities regarding the Civil War, Underground Railroad, and changes to American structures.