Black History Month

2011-10-27T07:43:00.000-07:00

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.

2011-10-27T07:38:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-27T07:34:00.000-07:00

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

2010-11-09T09:04:00.001-08:00

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

2010-11-09T09:03:00.002-08:00

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

2010-11-09T09:03:00.001-08:00

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

2010-11-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-09T09:01:00.002-08:00

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

2010-11-09T09:01:00.001-08:00

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

2010-11-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

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.

Designed To Be Worn

2010-11-09T08:58:00.000-08:00

Sponsor a button designing contest. Set a due date, then hand out templates that show the size of a button. Next, gather a panel of judges. Instruct them to choose two winners per grade level. Award “Celebrate Life, Freedom, Diversity” Backpack Tags to second-place winners and “Celebrate Life, Freedom, Diversity” T-Shirts to first-place winners. Wilcox Elementary School in Springfield, Illinois, made two winning designs into actual buttons. Every teacher, staff member, and student was given a button to wear—357 in all.

Black History Month 2010 Contest Winners

2010-10-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

Grand Prize
East Intermediate School
Jackson, TN

Second Prize
Wilcox Elementary School
Springfield, IL

Third Prize
Dunnellon Elementary School
Dunnellon, FL

Black History Trivia

2009-12-02T13:32:00.001-08:00

Click here to download a pdf of 30 question sheet of Black History Trivia with answers. Feel free to use in class rooms and libraries.

In Their Likeness

2009-11-18T10:34:00.002-08:00

Students at Krause Elementary School in Brenham, Texas, studied a different famous African American every day during the month of February. Next, each student selected one person to write a research paper on. Barbara Jordan, Stevie Wonder, Oprah Winfrey, and Colin Powell were some of the people chosen. Then the students went a step further. They created dolls resembling their research subjects. The dolls had photos for heads and bodies made out of paper or cloth. At your school, use the “African Americans Of Character” Poster Set and the “African-American Leaders Of Today” Poster Set to provide examples of noteworthy people to make into dolls.

Importance Of Song

2009-11-18T10:34:00.001-08:00

Music can be a powerful force. The Black Student Union (BSU) at Weston Ranch High School in Stockton, California, kicked off Black History Month with a Gospel Legacy Concert. This free event included local choirs, spoken word gospel artists, soloists, praise dance teams and gospel krump/turf dancers. Members of the BSU performed five acts that showed how gospel has affected the history of African-American people and also how a musical connection still exists with Africa. If a tribute to gospel is something your group would like to organize, consider decorating the event with Celebration Balloons and passing out “Celebrate Black History” Tattoos.

Dreaming Big

2009-11-18T10:33:00.002-08:00

Besides offering history, Callaway Elementary School in Cantonsville, Maryland, had its students think about the future. They were asked to fill in the sentence “I want to be a ______ when I grow up.” The answers were posted on a bulletin board with a photo of Barack Obama. When he was young, Obama wrote that he’d like to be President. As a motivator, Callaway gave out Barack Obama Pencils. Another appropriate gift to go with this activity would be the “Yes We Can/I Have A Dream” Silicone Bracelet With Card.

Making New Friends

2009-11-18T10:33:00.001-08:00

Twice during Black History Month, Brentwood High School in Brentwood, Missouri, was treated to mix-it-up lunches. The school’s diversity club provided sandwich materials, chips and cookies. The lunches were held to encourage youngsters to interact with people other than their usual crowd. If you would like to “mix it up” at your school, hang a “Celebrate Life, Freedom, Diversity” Banner where the lunch will take place. Give “Celebrate Life, Freedom, Diversity” Buttons to everyone who participates.

Oral Traditions

2009-11-18T10:31:00.002-08:00

In Rock Island, Illinois, Longfellow Elementary School students received art lessons so they could paint African masks. The masks were displayed throughout the building along with black history banners. The students learned about how storytellers would recite African folk tales, often wearing masks. Throughout February, they had the opportunity to read a variety of African tales. If you decide to focus on African masks and folk stories, enhance your activities with the items in the Black History Month Budget Celebration Pack. Also, hold drawings for “Black History Month: Honoring The Past, Inspiring The Future” T-Shirts, which feature Africa.

Outside The Box

2009-11-18T10:31:00.001-08:00

Perhaps you are looking for interesting ways students can present information on the African Americans they have researched. In Little Rock, Arkansas, fourth graders at Joe T. Robinson Elementary School made cereal box biographies. They wrapped boxes in colored paper, then attached photos, artwork, and text. These projects were judged, and the winners received “Believe, Achieve, Succeed” Cups Of Appreciation. Thank everyone at your own school who makes a cereal box biography by giving out “Believe, Achieve, Succeed” Ribbon Bookmarks.

Moving Melody

2009-11-18T10:30:00.001-08:00

“Lift Every Voice And Sing” is a popular song for Black History Month. Try arranging a new take on this old favorite. Divide your class into groups. Ask each group to add something unique to the song, such as interpretive dance, unusual instruments, costumes, etc. Hand out “Tune In To Black History” Stickers-On-A-Roll on the day of the performances. Every student at Northwestern Middle School in Jacksonville, Florida, learned “Lift Every Voice And Sing”. They sang it at the end of their “Celebrating A Rich Heritage” program. The school also utilized “Negro National Anthem” Bookmarks, which have the lyrics on the back.

Creating Connections

2009-11-18T10:29:00.000-08:00

The Multi-Cultural Diversity Team at Newberry Elementary School in Newberry, South Carolina, invited family members to become part of Black History Month. These relatives were encouraged to read a book, show art pieces or artifacts, share a personal experience involving culture, or bring in a homemade food item. Also, teachers and staff were asked to speak during daily morning announcements about how their lives have intersected with black history. “10 Days In Black History That Changed Our Nation” Educational Activities Books or Class Packs would be useful additions to presentations such as those at Newberry.