Celebrating Black History Month
It should be reiterated that Black history cannot be deduced to one month out of the year. Still, we take the time every February to put our “little known Black history facts” into overdrive in the month of February.
Books to Have
I wanted to give you books that varied from my original, viral list. Check out some other children’s books I have grown to love, organized by age range.
8-12 years old:
4-7 years old
Baby-3 years old
Activities to Do
Red Light, Green Light
Celebrate Garrett Morgan. Read a story about him or watch a video dedicated to his inventions. Follow-up with a game of red light, green light, which you can still play virtually.
Draw Your Favorite Character
I love Vashti Harrison’s books about leaders in Black history. If you follow her YouTube channel you’ll also find she gives illustration tutorials. Whether you choose to follow along or have your students free-hand it. Have fun drawing a cartoon character or portrait of one of your favorite Black history contributors.
Black History Trivia or BINGO
Play a game of BINGO with your students. Provide them with custom bingo cards that include the name and picture of Black celebrities, inventors, and/or change-makers. Take turns describing the significance and accolades of one of the people on the board until your students can fill up their board and yell “BINGO!”
Snack Party
George Crum is famed for inventing the potato chip. Play games, have fun, all while enjoying a snack invented by a Native American/African American man.
Autobiography
We’ve all done them, so it’s hard not to include this on my list. Have each student pick an African American man or woman who has contributed to society to learn more about. Each student will later be given the opportunity to present what they learned. While you can encourage students to dress up as their person might have, please reinforce no blackface. This is a perfect opportunity to discuss its harmfulness.
Virtual Field Trip
Virtual field trips are the new norm, and right now you can have direct access to museums and displays that honor Black History. Check out The Hewitt Collection of African American Art, photos from the Civil Rights Movement, and more, all sponsored by Google. Thank you to this CNN post for highlighting more ideas!
Explore Music that Stems from Black Culture
Apple Music and Spotify both curate great playlists. If you don’t have either, go on YouTube and create your own. Allows students to guess the artist, play it in the background during free time.
Quote or Fact of the Day
Provide students with fun quotes or facts of the day, whether this be virtually or written on the board will depend on if you’re students are learning in-person or remotely. Don’t limit yourself to people from the past, include present-day people as well. My students love a good Beyoncé song.
Watch Speeches from History to Present
Utilize YouTube and other historical websites such as history.com. The speeches don’t have to be “old” either, consider using Amanda Gorman, the poet who performed at the Inauguration and the Super Bowl.
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