Black history is an important part of history that children and adults alike should not miss out on. While February is traditionally Black History Month, black history can and should be studied throughout the year as well. Remember that black history does not just include the Civil Rights Movement, but includes many different time periods, including the present. African Americans have contributed a great deal to the history of America. Included below are lesson plans, activities, stories, pictures, coloring pages, and more. These materials can be used in a classroom, for homeschool, for supplemental lessons given by a parent, or just for fun. They can be utilized by all ages from children to adults. Remember that while this list is extensive, it cannot possibly cover all black history. Neither can just one month of celebration. Be sure to use other resources throughout each month of the year, not just February.
Free Video Interviews With Civil Rights Movement Participants
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Provides Video Clips of interviews with some of the many people who helped others during the Civil Rights Movement. You will need the Quick Time player to view the videos, but it can be downloaded for free and a link is provided on the same page as the videos. Older students may get more out of these. However, young kids may still comprehend them as well. Click Here for the videos.
Free Civil Rights Movement Oral History Transcripts
The Civil Rights Documentation Project project provides transcripts on a variety of oral presentations. The transcripts can be read online or printed for future private use. Some would be appropriate for reading and discussing for younger children, while others should be left to older children or adults. Click Here for the transcripts.
Free MLK Day Lesson Plans, Songs, Activities…
This is a collection of learning materials on Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Being that he is an important historical icon in black history, while he has his own day of celebration, he should still be learned about all year long as well. Here you will find songs, lesson plans, worksheets, and much more. Click Here for the lesson plans.
Black History Related Stories and E-Books
Sometimes e-books can be more convenient for teachers, being that some can be saved to the computer for later. I suggest browsing the Lulu Marketplace for subjects you are interested in. Oftentimes, the authors will offer e-book/download versions of their books for free or at a low cost. Click Here to visit Lulu.
Black History Related Books
Lenora Murdock at Associated Content has compiled a wonderful list of reading books for black history. She lists reading material for all ages, even adults. Click Here for her book list.
Free Civil Rights Music With Lyrics
Ever wanted to hear some of the uplifting music from the Civil Rights Movement? Maybe you’ve heard them already and just want to listen anyway. HistoryNow.org has sound clips that can be played, along with the lyrics. While the music is playing, pictures from the Civil Rights Movement will flash on the screen. This site also contains much more American history. Click Here for the music.
Free Ella Fitzgerald Lesson Plans
Need something on Ella Fitzgerald to teach Black History? There are many ideas and resources packed in this useful article by Angela La Fon. Click Here for lesson plans on Ella Fitzgerald.
Free African American Inventors Information
Learn all about African American inventors. Test your knowledge and see how many you have heard of before. Click Here for this resource.
Free Oral Civil Rights History
Visit this oral history archive for a wealth of Civil Rights knowledge. Click Here for this free resource.
Free Bill Pickett Lesson Plan (Black Cowboys)
If you have heard of the black cowboys, then surely heard of Bill Pickett. He is perhaps one of the most famous black cowboys in history. Click Here for a free lesson plan on Bill Pickett.
Free Black Cowboys History Info
Done reading about Bill Pickett and need some more information on the Black Cowboys? Click Here for a free lesson on the black cowboys. Be sure to also read the more detailed Part II of that lesson, which is linked to at the bottom of the page.
Free Black/African Native Americans History Info
Ever heard of African Native Americans? If you haven’t, don’t feel bad. Many people have not heard of them. Click Here to learn all about them. For the organized information, scroll down a bit until you see “Contents”. They are also sometimes referred to as “Freedmen”, “Black Indians”, and “Black Native Americans”.
George Washington Carver Coloring and Activity Book
This is a nicely detailed coloring and activity book on the life of George Washington Carver. Click Here for this wonderful resource. Older children may get the most enjoyment from this one because of the smaller details in the pictures and the activity difficulty level.
Free Famous People In Black History Coloring Pages
Teach the children about important people in history, while alowing them to be creative at the same time. Children should enjoy coloring these pages of famous Black Americans. Click Here for this free resource.
Free A-Z Black History
This free resource includes information on an important person in black history for each letter of the alphabet, including modern heroes, such as Oprah Winfrey. Click Here to learn about all of these important people.
National Geographic’s Online Presentation of the Underground Railroad
National Geographic had put together an amazing presentation of the Underground Railroad. Will you take your students and/or kids on the virtual journey? Click Here if you answered yes.
Free Black History Activity Puzzles
The kids have likely learned so much by now, they are ready for a break. Click Here for an extensive list of Black History puzzles, activities, quizzes, and games.
Suggested Books For Group Reading
Don’t forget to check Lenora’s list that I mentioned above, but here are some of my favorite group reading books for Black History.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
If You Lived When There Was Slavery In America by Anne Kamma
Wanted Dead Or Alive: The True Story of Harriet Tubman by Ann McGovern
100 African-Americans Who Shaped American History by Chrisanne Beckner
1,001 Things Everyone Should Know About African American History by Jeffrey C. Stewart
An Illustrated Treasury of African American Read-Aloud Stories: More than 40 of the World’s Best-Loved Stories for Parent and Child to Share (Read-Aloud) by Susan Kantor, Christian Clayton, Jan Spivey Gilchrist, and Christy Hale
* For more lesson plans, teaching advice, parenting advice, homeschooling advice, and much more, click on the author’s name to visit her resource page.
