{"id":10983,"date":"2021-01-21T12:38:02","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T17:38:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teacherlists.com\/blog\/?p=10983"},"modified":"2026-01-21T14:06:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T19:06:17","slug":"10-ideas-to-mark-black-history-month-in-your-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teacherlists.com\/blog\/10-ideas-to-mark-black-history-month-in-your-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ideas To Mark Black History Month in Your Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Teaching students to celebrate Black leaders and historical events involves discussing both achievements and the hardships they\u2019ve faced. For Black History Month, we’ve rounded up 10 ideas to give students of all ages a deeper understanding of some of America’s greatest leaders.<\/p>\n

Note: In 2025, the theme for Black History month is African Americans and Labor<\/a>. As you review some of our classroom activities, it’s nice to remember that fundamental theme.<\/p>\n

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Have students write an \u201cI Have a Dream\u201d speech<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Invite students to write and deliver a speech about an issue of concern to them and what they\u2019d do to make a difference. Students who are too young to write a speech can make posters showing what freedom looks like to them. Hang these in your school lobby and hallways.<\/p>\n

via PTOtoday.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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Read (and provide books) about civil rights <\/strong><\/h4>\n

There are plenty of good children\u2019s books about Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X., Rosa Parks, and other figures involved in the struggle for racial equality in the United States. This list from Teaching for Change<\/a> categorizes books from early elementary through high school and includes titles for teachers\u2019 reading.<\/p>\n

As well, many schools across the country are broadening their schools\u2019 book collections with intentional selections of books about people of color, and by nonwhite authors. Scholastic offers a list of Books That Amplify Black Voices<\/a> includes picture books, middle grade, and young adult.<\/p>\n

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Start a class community service project<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Observed each year on the third Monday in January as \u201ca day on, not a day off,\u201d MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.<\/p>\n

Carry the service sentiment forward during Black History Month by choosing a cause for your classroom. You could have students collect canned goods for a food pantry, adopt a park to spruce up, or raise money for a nonprofit that stands up for people\u2019s civil rights.<\/p>\n

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Begin each class with a Fact of the Day<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Once your students are settled in for the morning, deliver a short, 5-minute lesson on one fact in Black history. Did you know Garret Morgan<\/a><\/span>, the first Black car owner in Cleveland, invented the three-light traffic light in 1923?<\/p>\n

Or how about Lonnie Johnson<\/a><\/span>, the Air Force and NASA engineer who changed childhood summers forever with the invention of the Super Soaker? These are just a few examples of Black excellence that will start your students\u2019 day with positivity and inclusivity. Provide a brief background and context around the fact, and by the end of the month, your students will have a plethora of knowledge about how Black people have shaped the world they live in today.<\/p>\n

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Teach Black art in the classroom<\/strong><\/h4>\n

PBS for Parents<\/a><\/span> has great insights on how and why art inspires discussion, even in children. It also comes with a bounty of benefits from improved vocabulary to social-emotional learning, and more.<\/p>\n

Aisha White, Ph.D.<\/a><\/span> further explains how Black art is an excellent way to teach the importance of representation, which in turn teaches children to resist race-based negativity. Some great Black artists to get your students talking include Jacob Lawrence, Elizabeth Catlett, and Clementine Hunter.<\/p>\n

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Decorate your door<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Over the past few years, door decorating has been used for teacher appreciation and to add cheer\u2014add awareness and empowerment to that list of reasons. These teachers\u2019 door decorations both empower students and start powerful conversations.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Chan Occena (@takachanique)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n