My 5 Favorite Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in the Classroom

Looking for ideas for Black History month? Well, here are my 5 favorite ways to celebrate Black History month with my students. Each of these ideas offers a peek into the past and a glimpse into the future, while presenting the choice offered today. It is important to look at history to learn and grow from mistakes and successes. It is important to take those lessons and map out the future. However, it is just as important to think about the “right now” actions that will get the future plans accomplished. 

Each of the ideas presented below allows students to connect the dots between past, present, and future. My hope is that my students will connect the incredible and inspiring pieces of who they are to the courage and perseverance and strength of the people who paved the path in the past.

Alright, my favorite five are coming at you!

Bulletin Board for Black History Month – QR scavenger hunt

A great way to inspire and inform students about Black history is by creating a bulletin board. You can create a very simple board with pictures of different historical and current leaders. Add a blurb about who they are and why they are important, and leave it at that. This type of bulletin board is nice, but does not encourage engagement from the students.

You can kick this bulletin board up a notch by adding a scavenger hunt. Include QR codes that link to articles and websites with information about the person pictured. While reading, your students can discover answers to a word search or mystery word sheet.

Are you looking for a digital bulletin board option? Check out The Sassy Math Teacher’s DIGITAL Black History Month Bulletin Board & Trivia. She highlights historically influential Black Americans, many of them not typically featured. The best part is that this resource includes both a print and digital version.

This bulletin board can be used for an extension activity, early finishers, or extra credit.

Quotes by Influential Black Americans

Do you use daily slides, lead morning meetings, or have students complete bell ringers? Perfect! This is a fantastic space to add quotations from different Black influencers. There are several ways to have your students engage with these quotes individually, in break out groups, or whole class. Here are a few:

1. 1. Ask your students to read the quotation two or three times. Then, have them state what resonates with them.
   2. Have your students identify power words. Why are these power words?
   3. Encourage students to connect the quote to their life currently or in the future.

If you want to see what this looks like in action, check out Local Learners & Co’s Black History Month Quotes – Daily Slides. These slides feature quotes from influential mathematicians and it is an EDITABLE resource.

Black History Month is “Among Us”

Instead of an imposter, assign an influencer! As your students enter the classroom, hand them slips of paper with a role and description. The student who is the “influencer” needs to respond and act like the person they are impersonating. Students try to guess who is the influencer. 

“Step it Up!” the Celebration

Take a unique and fun approach to teaching Black History is by studying historically Black fraternities and sororities. Their history is rooted in the celebration of Black culture, Black achievement, Black struggle and triumph, Black perseverance, and Black excellence. 

There are so many fun aspects of Black Greek life, from stepping and chanting to service and scholarship. Not only will your students be enthralled by the richness of the culture, but they will be inspired by the trailblazing members of these organizations that are affecting change every single day.

Reading about Black History and Black Present – “Picture It!”

You can never go wrong with a good book. Incorporating a few picture book read alouds, short story analysis, or a novel study is a great way to introduce students to a variety of diverse peoples and experiences. I have some great suggestions on my Book Recommendation page.

Books can be windows into new and unfamiliar experiences, mirrors that reflect a familiar experience back to the reader, or sliding glass doors that invite the reader to step in and explore a new perspective. Sharing stories of the Black experience provides an opportunity to be all three for different students in your classroom. In addition, books are perfect for facilitating focused discussion around specific topics.

So, which is your favorite? Drop a comment below. I never can choose so I usually incorporate all of these throughout the school year. Check out these resources to get a jump start on the celebration: