Black History Month, celebrated every February, was originally only a week long, created in the 1920s by a man named Carter G. Woodson, an American historian and author. He chose February because both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born during that month.
Then, in 1976, the celebration expanded to include the whole month of February. Black History Month is recognized as a time to celebrate notable achievements and moments in African American history.
If you’re struggling to come up with a fun lesson to teach your students about Black History Month, here are a few ideas:
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Explain to students who Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was and discuss his “I Have a Dream” speech. Afterward, ask each student to write down what their dream is. This can be a simple worksheet activity or you can take it a step further. If you’d like to do a classroom bulletin board, have each student write their dream on a white board and take their picture to pin up on the bulletin board.
Rosa Parks Changed the Rules
Create a diagram of the Montgomery bus Rosa Parks rode. During the lesson, teach students about what the rules for white and black people were on the bus. Complete the diagram by illustrating seating arrangements on a typical Montgomery, Alabama, bus in 1955.
The Sneetches and Segregation
This lesson can be accomplished in more than one way. You can read Dr. Seuss’s story of “The Sneetches” to students or you can watch the video version as a class. Afterward, discuss the story and pose critical thinking questions to the students in relation to the story.
Looking for other lessons and activities to use in the classroom? Check out the Humanus Activities and Resources page for free worksheets and activity pages!