Black History Month is the perfect opportunity to explore the many remarkable people, events, and accomplishments that have helped shaped our nation and changed our lives forever. Explore these curated collections of powerful, authentic resources that celebrate Black History.
As you look for ways to bring a new dimension to these powerful milestones, consider ways to go beyond what’s commonly covered to help your students draw meaningful connections to their learning. Introduce your class to the first African American women to travel to space or dig into the impact of the Harlem Renaissance. Offering new perspectives and experiences will drive deeper cultural understanding and help your students seem themselves in the history.
African American Experiences
K-12
Show students how the contributions, struggles, and triumphs of African Americans are woven into the fabric of American history and culture. Developed in partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District, these learning resources are organized by two frameworks: the Learning for Justice Social Justice Standards and the African American Studies curriculum organization of Culture, History, and Politics. Students will learn about America’s complex history, gain insight into the experiences of classmates, and imagine a more equitable future for all.
African American History: Achievement in a Hostile Era
Grades 3-5, 6-8
Celebrate the achievements of black advancement and pride at the turn of the 20th century with this insightful audio clip. From George Washington Carver to ragtime musician Scott Joplin and writer Paul Lawrence Dunbar, the track reviews the accomplishments of African Americans in the arts and sciences while going on to explain the contrasting ideologies of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois, two leaders who made a lasting difference in American history and culture.
Celebrating Black History
K-12
Find everything you need in this comprehensive collection of high-quality, authentic content and diverse learning resources. Browse content highlighting the lives and contributions of Black writers, soldiers, scientists, politicians, artists, and more! Learn about a variety of prominent figures in history and learn new perspectives that help students see themselves in history.
Hidden Figuras: How Mae Jemison Diversified Space
Grades 6-8, 9-12
Introduce students to Mae Jemison, the first female African American astronaut to travel to space and one of the most accomplished women of her time—in addition to her work as an astronaut, she is also a doctor, engineer, author, and philanthropist!
This video is also a part of our BESE Channel, a curated collection of digital resources that recontextualize narratives around how young people connect to today’s America. Founded by actress Zoe Saldana, each series from BESE promotes inclusivity and navigates the American tapestry of cultures, identities, and nations.
Find more timely and relevant resources through our This Month at DE blogs and Studio Boards!
Honor the Red Tails
Grades 3-5, 6-8. 9-12
Share the incredible true story of the Red Tail Squadron as told by Colonel Charles McGee, one of the last living members of the Tuskegee Airmen. Dive into the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and the accomplishments of African American pilots during World War II. Then learn how the Red Tails fought, not only to protect American lives, but to also end segregation and racism in the US Armed Forces. End the video with a panel discussion featuring Colonel McGee and his fellow Tuskegee Airman, Cadet William T. Fauntroy, Jr., as well as Command Sergeant Major Michele S. Jones—the first woman in the U.S. Army Reserve to reach the esteemed position.
Ready-to-Use Activities
All Grade Levels
Explore these ready-to-use activities to incorporate into your Black History Month lesson! Spanning all grade levels, browse Sentence Fix-Its for younger students or full February Activity Calendars for grades K-8 that offer an activity for every day of the month! Or, check out this comprehensive Student Choice Board that lets students pick from a variety of topics to follow their own interests and then “show what they know” with one of the recommended SOS Instructional Strategies.
Remember Rosa Parks
Grades PreK–8
Remember Rosa Parks on her birthday (February 4) with Discovery Education’s Rosa Parks resources! Introduce PreK-5 students to her impacts on the Civil Rights Movement with the Curiosity: Rosa Parks video, which shows how Rosa Parks made a stand against segregation from her famous bus ride through the rest of her life. Next, get K-2 students thinking critically about Rosa Parks with the Rosa Parks activity or have 6-8 students summarize what they’ve learned with the Tweet Tweet activity.
Voices of the Civil Rights Movement
Grades 6-12
Find First-Hand accounts and learn more about the people behind the Civil Rights Movements, a pivotal time in America’s history! Created in partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal, Voices of the Civil Rights Movement‘s videos and related activities will help students discover new, authentic perspectives of this historic era.
