This blog was written by Kelley Painter, M. Ed., Reading Specialist at New Story Schools in Indiana, PA.
We celebrate Black History Month each year, and quite possibly, we do the same things every time in our classrooms to celebrate. You may not have even known that there is a theme each year beyond just Black history. This year the theme is “African Americans and the Arts!" Here, we have compiled some different resources that could be helpful to you in the classroom to improve not only Black History Month, but the inclusion of Black history (present and future too!) in the classroom.
Do’s and Don’ts:
To start, we’ll take a look at an article written by Jeanne Sager at TeachStarter. In her blog, she lists 13 Black History Month activities for educators to incorporate into their lesson plans. She also includes a brief list of general do’s and don’ts for the topic of Black history lesson plans. These do’s and don’ts are listed below to help you ensure that you are properly presenting Black history to your students. If you would like to read the full article, click here!
Do Take Time to Evaluate Your Teaching as a Whole: It is important to reflect on how your teaching is going many times throughout the year, that is how we improve. While this is not meant to be critical of anyone, it is important that we think about how much we include Black history in our daily teaching. Ask yourself if you have discussed Black history prior to Black History Month, and if so, how? Have you read books featuring Back children or adults this year? There are about 7.4 million public school students who are Black, and about 2.2 million who are biracial in America. It is important that we include Black history, perspectives, and stories all year round. If you realize that you have not been doing that, don’t panic, now you are aware and can start.
Don’t Single Out Black Students: If students come to you and want to share stories about their heritage and backgrounds, that is wonderful and should be encouraged. However, don’t single out Black students. It is not their responsibility to teach their White classmates.
Do Address That Black History is American History: The month may be called Black History Month, but what you are teaching is American history. It’s important that White students understand that this is part of their history as well, and not just something for Black classmates to care about.
Don’t Treat This as the Past: While Black history is history, it’s important not to teach it as if it only happened a long time ago, because it is STILL happening. For example, we only saw the first Black American president in 2008 and the first Black American vice president in 2020, and the fight for equality is ongoing.
Activity and Lesson Ideas
Now that we understand the preparation for our lessons and how to carefully present the subject, we can begin to look at fun activities that can be done in the classroom to make this Black History Month both informative and engaging! Below are several resources from across the web to provide, or help you brainstorm, exciting activities for this month!
Black History Lesson Plans: Check out this article by the National Education Association which provides lesson ideas and activities to teach Black history. It has items and materials grouped into grade levels, specifically K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. There are also multiple additional resources in the article. To view this article, click here.
African American Art Resources: This article, published by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, provides resources for art teachers who have lessons on Black history. You will find multiple famous artworks by Black artists and learn about African American art styles. To view this article, click here.
The Birth of Hip Hop: Learn about the history of hip hop and then create a rap related to something our students have experienced in their lives with this video from The Kids Should See This. To watch the video, click here.
African American Artists: This article was written by a teacher named Tanya Merriman. In the article, Merriman lists several famous Black artists and shows how she uses their art style to have her students create art pieces themselves! You can discuss the artist and their works while creating art in their style. To view this article, click here.
Black History Month Playlists: Many genres of the music we listen to today were shaped by Black artists and influencers. Here are a few playlists to exemplify the history of Black music:
Spotify Black History Month Playlist: To listen, click here.
10 Influential Black History Songs: To listen, click here.
Celebrating Black Artists: To listen, click here.
Black History Month Songs for Kids: To listen, click here.
Virtual Museum Tours: This article provides several African American or Black History Museums that your classroom can visit virtually. To view this article, click here.
We hope that you find some truly special, fun, and creative ways to discuss the amazing influences that Black culture and people have made in the arts and our lives!
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
About Me
I am an expert and enthusiast assistant with a deep understanding of various topics, including public speaking, speech writing, and Black History Month. My knowledge is based on extensive research and access to a wide range of high-quality information sources. I have the ability to provide accurate and detailed information on these subjects, drawing from a diverse set of reputable sources to ensure the information I provide is reliable and up-to-date.
Public Speaking
Public speaking is the process of delivering a message to an audience. It involves various elements such as speech writing, types of speeches, methods of delivery, and managing speech anxiety. Effective public speaking requires careful preparation, organization, and consideration of the audience's needs and expectations .
Speech Writing
Speech writing is an essential aspect of public speaking. It involves structuring the speech in a clear and systematic manner to improve the clarity of thought and increase the likelihood of the speech being effective. Organized speeches are crucial for audience understanding and to establish the speaker's reliability and credibility .
Managing Speech Anxiety
Managing speech anxiety is a common concern for many individuals. Scientific strategies, such as those discussed by Harvard Professor Amy Cuddy, can be effective in reducing anxiety and improving overall performance. It's important to focus on the audience's interest in the message rather than being overly concerned about personal judgment.
Black History Month and the Arts
This year's theme for Black History Month is "African Americans and the Arts." It's important to incorporate Black history, perspectives, and stories throughout the year, not just during Black History Month. Educators should avoid singling out Black students and emphasize that Black history is American history. Additionally, teaching Black history should not be limited to the past, as it is an ongoing and relevant part of history.
Resources for Black History Month
To celebrate Black History Month in the classroom, educators can utilize various resources related to African American art, music, and history. These resources include lesson plans, art resources, the history of hip hop, playlists of influential Black history songs, and virtual museum tours. These resources aim to provide engaging and informative activities for students to learn about the significant contributions of Black culture and people in the arts and our lives.
I hope this information provides a comprehensive understanding of public speaking, speech writing, and the significance of Black History Month, particularly in relation to this year's theme of "African Americans and the Arts." If you have any further questions or need more detailed information on any of these topics, feel free to ask!
