Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, takes place every February to honor the accomplishments of Black people in the United States and the important roles they have played in the past and the present. It is a time to celebrate and reflect upon the significant contributions and achievements of Black individuals in history. This special month, observed every February, is a period to honor the past and an opportunity to educate and inspire the present and future generations. Black history relates to all citizens and our shared backgrounds as Americans.
Black History Month began as a week-long celebration known as “Negro History Week,” established in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a renowned African American historian, author, and journalist. Woodson chose the second week of February for this observance because it coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The idea was to dedicate a time each year to focus on the contributions of African Americans to the nation’s history. This topic was largely ignored in the education system at the time.
As the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum in the 1960s, Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month on many college campuses. This change reflected a growing awareness of African Americans’ rich heritage and significant contributions. Kids can discover the importance of diversity, empathy, and equality through various fun and educational activities. Black youth can learn about people who look like them (representation matters). Since Black History Month was established to highlight the amazing achievements of Black people, it’s a great time to expand young people’s understanding of the Black experience. This goes beyond slavery and civil rights. For students learning about slavery and civil rights, this history can build their empathy and understanding.
We've designed activities that give students the opportunity to dive into history and learn about the people and events that have shaped our nation. Engaging in Black History Month activities is a wonderful way to bring these important stories to life, especially for kids. Here are some engaging and educational activities tailored for children:
Interactive Activities for Black History Month
Parents and teachers can make Black History Month engaging by organizing interactive activities like storytelling, arts and crafts, cooking workshops, and trivia games.
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1. Storytelling Sessions
One of the most engaging black history activities is storytelling sessions. Kids can get a world of inspiration by reading books written by black authors or about black heroes. Libraries or classrooms can host these sessions, where children can listen to stories celebrating black individuals’ achievements and courage. Yes, many child-friendly books and films celebrate Black History. For younger kids, books like “Henry’s Freedom Box” by Ellen Levine or “Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History” by Vashti Harrison are great.
2. Movie and Documentary Screenings
Hosting movie and documentary screenings are among the fun black history month activities that can be educational and entertaining. Schools and community centers can screen films and documentaries highlighting significant events, stories, and figures in black history.
3. Educational Worksheets
Engage kids with fun and educational worksheets focusing on Black history. These can include crossword puzzles about famous Black figures, word searches with key terms from Black history, coloring pages of important events, and fill-in-the-blank timelines of historical milestones.
4. Biography Projects
Biography projects are educational black history month activities for kids, where they can choose a notable black figure to research. This activity involves gathering information about their chosen person’s life, achievements, and societal impact.
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5. Cultural Exchange and Community Service
Participating in cultural exchange and community service projects are great ways to celebrate Black History Month. These activities can range from volunteering in community events to participating in cultural exchange programs that promote understanding and diversity.
6. Black History Trivia
Black History Trivia is an exciting and educational way to engage kids during Black History Month. These games can be organized in classrooms or at home, challenging children with questions about historical events, figures, and cultural contributions of African Americans.
7. Guess the Historical Figure
In this activity, children are given clues about a historical black figure and have to guess who it is. This activity makes learning about historical figures exciting and helps improve kids’ critical thinking and knowledge about important personalities in black history.
8. Create a Black History Month Mural
Creating a Black History Month mural is a fun, collaborative art project. This activity allows children to design and paint a mural showcasing significant events, figures, or themes from black history. It’s a great way for kids to express their creativity and learn about collaboration, making it one of the engaging and fun Black History Month activities.
9. Quote of the Day
The ‘Quote of the Day’ activity is a simple yet powerful way to incorporate black history month activities for kindergarten kids. Each day, a quote from an influential black figure can be shared with the children, followed by a brief discussion about its meaning and the person behind it.
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10. Create Timelines of Black History
Engaging kids in a project to create timelines of black history is an educational way to understand chronological events and their significance. This activity can involve researching key events, figures, and milestones in black history and arranging them on a timeline.
11. Act Out Skits
Kids can step into the shoes of heroes from Black history by acting out short skits. They’ll pick an important event or person and create a mini-play to show their classmates. It’s fun for kids to learn history by participating in it!
12. Organize a Parade
Imagine a parade full of colorful costumes, music, and dance to celebrate African and African American cultures! Kids can make banners, dress in traditional outfits, or create floats representing different aspects of Black history and culture.
13. Museum Visits and Virtual Tours
Visiting museums or taking virtual tours focused on black history offers a unique educational experience for kids. These tours can be organized as part of the activities for Black History Month, allowing children to see historical artifacts, art, and exhibits firsthand.
Black History Month | All You Need to Know | Newsround
Additional Activities
Here are some additional activities to further engage students during Black History Month:
- Review the Timeline of the Civil Rights Movement: Distribute a timeline activity and have students fill in details about nine key events of the civil rights movement based on their research.
- Pen a Persuasive Essay: Have students write an essay proposing a new stamp honoring an influential Black person, explaining their choice and the impact the person has had on the world.
- Create an Encyclopedia of Black Leaders: Students can create a biographical encyclopedia with one or two paragraphs each about Black leaders who contributed to the civil rights movement.
- Explore Famous Black Scientists in History: Encourage students to dig further and create their own list of famous Black scientists, writing about their lives, accomplishments, and continued legacy today.
- Conduct Experiments Inspired by the Works of Black Scientists: Get hands-on and explore the extraordinary works of famous Black scientists, inventors, and mathematicians by conducting experiments inspired by their work.
- Test Students' Knowledge with a Black History Month Quiz: Have students explore Black history with a short multiple-choice quiz.
- Complete a Word Search: Download a word search for students that includes the names of influential figures, key events, and terms related to Black history.
- Read Books About Black History: Explore books that highlight both the triumphant and tragic journeys of Black people in the United States.
- Showcase Black History in Your School’s Halls: Organize a school-wide Black History Month door decorating or bulletin board decorating contest.
- Create a Quote Gallery with Words from Notable Black Figures: Display quotes from notable Black figures in your classroom and engage students in a quote gallery walk.
- Host a Poetry Reading and Recite Poems from Black Poets: Study the works of famous Black poets, like Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes, and teach students the art of performing poetry by hosting a class poetry reading.
- Transform Your Classroom into a Black History Museum: Ask students to research notable Black figures or key events in Black history and create posters based on their research.
These activities and resources are based upon proven educational principles and learning theories. The lessons are designed as a supplemental curriculum. They may be used by either one student or the entire class. This Black History Month, inspire your class by using lesson videos created by past student winners! These videos celebrate the achievements of influential Black historical figures, as told through the creative voices of students.
Here is an example of a timeline activity:
| Event | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Montgomery Bus Boycott | A civil rights protest during which African Americans refused to ride city buses in Montgomery, Alabama, to protest segregated seating. | 1955-1956 |
| March on Washington | A massive protest gathering in Washington, D.C., advocating for the civil and economic rights of African Americans. | August 28, 1963 |
| Civil Rights Act | Landmark legislation in the United States that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. | July 2, 1964 |
| Voting Rights Act | A law passed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote. | August 6, 1965 |
