After studying black history with the class, read out the trivia questions from page 17. Award students who answer questions correctly with prizes from this site. Present the student who answers the most questions with an additional prize, either The Power Of A Dream Tote Bag or a T-shirt.

Help students create baseball cards that feature notable African Americans in all fields, not just baseball. Hand out “25 African Americans Who Made A Difference” and “Black History Month: Make Footprints Worth Following” Bookmarks to give examples of possible choices. Have students put a photo on the front of each card and info on the back, such as birth date, accomplishments and interesting facts.

African Americans for a costume parade

Invite children and adults to dress up as famous African Americans for a costume parade. Start with one class; give class members a “Black History: Honoring The Past, Inspiring The Future” Banner to lead the parade with. Then travel from class to class, adding students into the parade line so everyone can see how others dressed up.

Creative Contest

Pinnacle Academy in Euclid, Ohio, organized a black history celebration with the theme “See It, Dream It, Believe It, Achieve It.” The school held a contest challenging students to design the celebration’s program cover. Five winning designs were chosen and printed. Pinnacle awarded prizes, including the “Believe, Achieve, Succeed” Buttons. If your school decides to hold a program cover design contest, consider using “Believe, Achieve, Succeed” Drawstring Backpacks as prizes.

Essays Of Admiration

Assign students to write essays focusing on African-American members of their family, community or society whom they admire. Explain that the first paragraph should contain biographical information. The second should explain why the student respects him or her. Before the students begin, have them read “African-American Leaders Of Today” Educational Activities Books or “African-American Leaders Of Today” Posters to see examples of biographies.

Inventive Display

Putnam County Elementary School in Eatonton, Georgia, designed a bulletin board that stated, “Stop, look, and listen! February is Black History Month!” on a large, colorful burst. In the middle was a photo of Garrett Morgan and information about the traffic signal he invented. Students created paper stop lights, which were hung around Morgan’s photo. Your school could do a bulletin board per grade level, each covering a different invention. Supply teachers with “10 African-American Inventions That Changed Our World” Bookmarks to hand out for suggestions.

Dreaming Of Equality

Ask students to put their ideas about equality on paper in an activity called “A Penny For Your Thoughts.” Throughout the month, encourage students to write wishes about equality and drop them into a “wishing well” with a penny. On the morning announcements, read the best thoughts of the previous day. Also, gather the pennies to donate to an organization fighting for equality. And sell bracelets, such as the “Yes We Can/ I Have A Dream” Silicone Bracelets or “Together We Make One World” Silicone Bracelets, to further raise money for the group of your choice.

Musical Memory Lane

Dunnellon Elementary School in Dunnellon, Florida, chose the theme “Tune Into Black History.” The main event paid tribute to African-American music. The students presented a timeline that began with spirituals. Dressed in choir robes, they marched to “Every Time I Feel The Spirit.” Then they moved on to rock and roll from the 1950s. One child played air guitar to Chuck Berry’s “School Days,” then kindergarteners danced to Chubby Checker’s “The Twist.” The 1960s and 70s were represented by skits about Martha and the Vandellas as well as the Jackson 5. For the 1980s, the school featured rap music and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The program ended with the 2010 version of “We Are The World.” If you hold a presentation, show gratitude to performers with “Believe, Achieve, Succeed” Cups Of Appreciation. Hand out Black History Month 5-On-A-Roll Stickers to everyone who attends.

Women Of Black History

Honor influential African-American women. Distribute “25 African Americans Who Made A Difference” Bookmarks and pencils from the “One Person Can Make A Difference” Pencil Assortment Pack. Let students each pick a woman from the bookmarks or pencils to learn more about. Once the research is complete, have everyone draw a picture and write a paragraph. Hang these creations in a prominent place underneath a paper banner that states, “Remembering Our Foremothers.”

Who’s Who

In Brunswick, Georgia, Altama Elementary School students were asked to name as many famous African Americans as they could. The names were written on the board. Next, students formed groups and were assigned the task of putting the people into the following categories: arts, entertainment, music, sports, politics, and science. They also were allowed to use reference materials to find additional African Americans for each category. Groups with the most names correctly categorized were announced. At your school, add to this activity by handing out items from the “10 Days In Black History That Changed Our Nation” Class Packs. Thank your teachers for their efforts with “Inspiring Moments In African American History” 2011 Calendars to hang at their desks.