Black History Month is a crucial time to reflect on and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to American history and culture. One of the most effective ways to engage students and audiences of all ages is through the use of historically accurate and compelling skits. This article explores a variety of plays and skits suitable for classroom performances, stage productions, reader's theater, and more, covering key events and figures in African American history.
Plays About the Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement is a cornerstone of Black History, and several plays capture the essence of this struggle for equality. These plays are not only historically accurate but also designed to be engaging for students.
- The Girl Who Got Arrested: This original play sheds light on Claudette Colvin, the first passenger to be arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a city bus during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Based on actual events and including text from Claudette’s court hearings, this play offers a powerful perspective on the Civil Rights Movement. It is suitable for grades 4 through 8, with parts for eight to seventeen performers.
- Freedom March: Told through the eyes of eleven-year-old Lucy, this play centers around the March on Washington where Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. It captures the personal and societal impact of this iconic event. Suitable for students in grades 4 through 8, it features eleven parts and roles for numerous extras.
- We Shall Overcome: This play tells the story of Martin Luther King’s Birmingham Children’s Crusade in 1963, where authorities used fire hoses and police dogs against student marchers. Adaptable to include music from the Crusade, it is suitable for grades 4 through 8, with eight to fifteen parts.
- Sitting Down for Dr. King: Set during the Greensboro Lunch Counter Sit-ins of 1960, this play focuses on a middle-class white boy who comes to understand racism by witnessing the courage of the protesters. It is suitable for grades 4-8, with 7 to 14 parts.
- In the Jailhouse with Dr. King: This play is set during the Montgomery Bus Boycott and is loosely based on King’s own writing about his first incarceration. It tells the story of a 13-year-old African American boy’s struggles with violence and racism in 1956 Alabama. Suitable for reader’s theater or stage performance, it can be adapted to include music from the Civil Rights Movement and is appropriate for grades 4 through 8.
These plays provide an immersive way for students to learn about the challenges and triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement.
Plays About Slavery
Understanding the history of slavery is essential for comprehending the African American experience. These plays offer a kid-friendly yet historically accurate portrayal of this dark chapter in American history.
- Box Brown’s Freedom Crate: Based on real events, this play tells the story of Henry Brown, a slave in 1848 Virginia, who escapes to freedom by mailing himself in a crate to Philadelphia with the help of members of the Underground Railroad and Philadelphia’s Anti-Slavery Society. Suitable for grades 3 through 8, it includes parts for eight to twenty students.
- Freedom for the First Time: This play is based on actual slave narratives and tells the story of ten-year-old Tyree, a slave during the Civil War, who experiences freedom for the first time when her brother arrives with Union soldiers to announce the end of the war. It is suitable for students in grades 3 through 8, with parts for 8 to 11 students plus extras.
These plays offer a poignant and educational experience for students, helping them understand the realities of slavery and the courage of those who sought freedom.
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Plays About Influential African American Figures
Highlighting the lives and achievements of influential African Americans is a vital part of Black History Month. These plays focus on individuals who have made significant contributions to society.
- Richard Wright and the Library Card: Based on an incident from Wright’s youth, this play tells the story of how he was denied access to the public library due to his race and how he overcame this obstacle with the help of his employer.
- Ruby Bridges: This play recounts the story of Ruby Bridges, a first-grader who integrated New Orleans Public Schools in 1960. Suitable for students as young as 3rd grade and up to seventh, it includes parts for from 12 to 24 actors.
- Gonna Let it Shine: This play shares Sheyann Webb’s emotional childhood experience as Martin Luther King’s “Smallest Freedom Fighter” during events in 1965 Selma, Alabama. It includes freedom song lyrics from the movement and parts for 10 to 14 students.
- Jackie Robinson: This original script recounts the events surrounding Jackie Robinson’s breaking of the color barrier in baseball. Suitable for reader’s theater or stage performance, it includes parts for from 7 to 13 actors.
These plays provide students with inspiring stories of resilience, determination, and achievement.
Additional Skits and Resources
Beyond the plays mentioned above, there are numerous other skits and resources available for Black History Month celebrations.
- Black History Month Poem - Ruby Showed the Way: This is a short play about a fictional account of a lunch between Maya Angelou, Malcolm X and W.E.B. Dubois. This play can be used a reader's theater piece for a literary center or for a Black History Month activity.
- Dreaming: A Reader's Theatre or Speech Choir script ideal for use during Black History Month. The script incorporates the presidential inaugural addresses and public domain poems of Langston Hughes.
These skits provide additional opportunities to engage students and celebrate Black history in creative ways.
Not Alone | Black History Month Skit for Upper Elementary and Middle School Students Play
Integrating Skits into the Curriculum
Incorporating these skits into the curriculum can enhance students' understanding and appreciation of Black history. Here are some ways to integrate these resources into your teaching:
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- Reader’s Theater: Use the scripts for reader’s theater activities to improve fluency and comprehension.
- Stage Performances: Decorate a classroom or stage to create a poignant stage production.
- Classroom Activities: Use the included comprehension activities and teacher notes to enhance learning.
- Compare and Contrast: Compare the plays with other resources such as books, movies, and documentaries to deepen understanding.
By integrating these skits into the curriculum, educators can create a meaningful and engaging learning experience for students.
Sample Skit: Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
This skit focuses on Rosa Parks' pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, highlighting her courage and the impact of her actions.
Characters:
- Rosa Parks
- Bus Driver
- Other Passengers
- Narrator
Scene: A bus in Montgomery, Alabama, 1955.
Narrator: On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks boarded a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. What happened next changed the course of history.
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Bus Driver: (Sternly) Ma’am, you need to move to the back of the bus. The colored section is full.
Rosa Parks: (Calmly) I don’t think I should have to stand up just to let that white man sit down.
Bus Driver: (Raising his voice) This is the law! You are in violation of the segregation ordinance. I’m going to have you arrested.
Rosa Parks: You may do that.
Narrator: Rosa Parks was arrested, and her act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement.
This skit can be expanded to include more details about the Montgomery Bus Boycott and its impact.
Resources and Materials
To enhance your Black History Month activities, consider using the following resources:
- Scholastic’s Storyworks and Scope magazines: These magazines offer a wealth of professionally published read-aloud plays focused on Black history and civil rights.
- Books: Utilize books such as Phillip Hoose’s "Twice Toward Justice," Cynthia Levinson’s "We’ve Got a Job: the 1963 Birmingham Children’s March," and Shelley Tougas’ "Birmingham 1963: How a Photograph Rallied Civil Rights Support."
- Movies and Documentaries: Show films like "Selma, Lord, Selma" and documentaries about Ruby Bridges and other influential figures.
- Online Resources: Explore websites like LearningToGive.org and The National Archives for lesson plans and primary resource documents.
These resources can provide additional context and depth to your Black History Month lessons.
Purchasing and Licensing Information
Most plays are priced between $3 and $4 and include comprehension activities and keys, performance rights, and a license to print a full class set each school year. The original purchaser is licensed to reproduce one classroom set per year.
By utilizing these skits and resources, educators can create a powerful and memorable Black History Month experience for their students, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of African American history and culture.
| Figure/Event | Description | Play/Skit |
|---|---|---|
| Rosa Parks | Her refusal to give up her seat on a bus sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. | The Girl Who Got Arrested |
| Martin Luther King Jr. | A leader in the Civil Rights Movement, known for his advocacy of nonviolent protest. | We Shall Overcome, In the Jailhouse with Dr. King |
| Henry "Box" Brown | Escaped slavery by mailing himself in a crate to Philadelphia. | Box Brown's Freedom Crate |
| Ruby Bridges | One of the first African American children to integrate an all-white school. | Ruby Bridges |
| Claudette Colvin | First passenger to be arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a city bus during the Montgomery Bus Boycott. | The Girl Who Got Arrested |
| Jackie Robinson | Broke the color barrier in baseball. | Jackie Robinson |
| Juneteenth | Celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. | Freedom for the First Time |
