10 Ways Your Student Can Learn About Black History (2024)

February isBlack HistoryMonth, a time to celebrate the impact of African American heritage, culture, and achievement in our country.While mostK–12 schools incorporate Blackhistoryactivities into theircurriculum, Black History Month offers awonderfulopportunity to extend your child’s learning at home or enhance yourhomeschool curriculum. Here are 10 ways your studentcanlearn aboutBlack historyand culture. You don’t have to wait until February—these activities and resources can be used throughout the year!

1.CelebratewithCross-Curricular Activities

Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher of children’s books, hasdeveloped13 cross-curricular activities(opens in a new tab)for teachers to celebrateBlack HistoryMonth,broken down byelementary, middle,andhigh school. While these ideas are intended to be done in a traditional classroom, they can all be adapted toonline schoolorhomeschoolstudents. Whileyou’reon theScholastic website(opens in a new tab), check out their reading list of young adult books written by African American authors.

2.Read aBookAboutthe AfricanAmerican Experience, History, and Culture

Educators recommend that students spend at least 20 minutes adayreading. CelebrateBlack HistoryMonth by having your student read a book that features African American culture, shares the story ofa greatAfrican American figure, or brings the African American experience to life. For inspiration,here are 10 terrific books(opens in a new tab)for students inelementary school.

3.Watch aDocumentary

Documentaries bring the past to life, connecting us to significant times in history. PBSoffersthis list of powerful documentaries(opens in a new tab)exploringBlack historyand culturein America.Relive iconic moments,like the 1963 MarchonWashington,or join the Freedom Riders on their journey through the Jim Crow South.Thesedocumentariesareappropriateformiddleorhigh schoolstudents.

4.Plana Full Lessonon Historical Topics

PBS also offerstheirLearning Media series,withseveral lessons(opens in a new tab)thathonorBlack HistoryMonth,including lessons on the Emancipation Proclamation, theGreatMigration, and the civil rights movement.These lessons are designed to support teachers andhomeschoolfamilies but are an excellentresource for parents looking to help their student have a deeper understanding of these important topics.

5.Virtually Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is part of the Smithsonian Instituteanddevoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture.They have a wealth ofonline learning resources(opens in a new tab)to help you enrich your student’s learning experience, including recommended reading resources forelementary, middle,andhigh schoolstudents and Smithsonian Learning Labs, which are free, interactive lessons where students can explore both well-known andnot so well-known moments in history.

6.Watch a MovieShowcasing African American History or Experiences

Celebrate Black History Monthwith family movie night, watchingmoviesthat celebrate the African American experience orthathighlighthistorical events.Movie casts have become more diverse in recent years,so choosing films that feature actors of coloris a way to celebrate achievements. Need inspiration? Checkoutthis list(opens in a new tab)of 50African American children’s movies for a special family movie night.

7.Honor African American Veterans

Did you know that nearly200,000African Americans served in the USArmy from 1863to1865, making up nearly10percent of the American soldiers who served in the USArmy during the Civil War? It all started with the formation of the54th Massachusetts regiment(opens in a new tab). From service in the Civil War to the Buffalo Soldiers and Tuskegee Airmen, African American men and women have a long history of serving in the United States military. Your student can honor their contributionsin both times of war and peacebylearning more(opens in a new tab)about their service.

8.Learn About African American Inventors

The first African American to be awarded aUSpatent was Thomas Jennings, who in 1821 invented a way to dry-clean clothes. The first African American woman to receive a patent was Judy Reed for her dough kneader and roller in 1884.Haveyour studentresearchother African American inventors(opens in a new tab)who made contributions to science, industry, business, agriculture, transportation,andcommunications.

9.Listen toa TEDTalk

If yourhigh schoolstudent walks around with earbuds in all day, have them spend some time listening to TED Talks that celebrateBlack HistoryMonth.TED Talks are designed to share knowledge through short talks and presentations.TheirBlack HistoryMonthplaylist(opens in a new tab)includes talks about the migration of African Americans out of the Jim CrowSouth, an introduction of thewomanMartin Luther King Jr. called “the architect of the civil rights movement,”and how speaking openly about race makes for better business and society.

10.Explore African American Musical Influencers

Celebrate Black History Month by listening to the great African American musicians.Have your student read about the 50 most important AfricanAmericanmusical artists(opens in a new tab)and learn more about their lives and music. Use this opportunity tointroduce your studentto musical genres that were heavily influenced by thesetalentedartists, including jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, gospel, doo-wop, and hip-hop.

The landmark Supreme Court case ofBrown v. Board of Education, which integrated America’s public schools, happened in 1954. Check out more key dates in the history of education in the UnitedStates.