How to Celebrate Black History Month in Your Classroom
It is not easy to celebrate Black History Month in a primary classroom without touching on some very sad facts about American history. This article is aimed at K-3rd grade. I do not think that 5 -7 year-olds really need to know about slavery and specifics about the horrible way African Americans were treated in the first half of the 19th century.
When teaching small children, I like to use the world of sports to explain the struggles of the black community in America. THIS IS JUST ONE WAY TO CELEBRATE all of the wonderful contributions made by African-Americans. I do not mean to suggest that this is the best or the only way to celebrate BHM, I am only trying to give you several different options on how to celebrate. Here are some resources you can use.
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Instructions
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Read the kids the Jackie Robinson picture book, a short biography of Jackie Robinson. I do explain to the kids that there was a time when black people were not allowed to play professional sports and they had their own leagues.
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Show the kids a DVD of the Harlem Globetrotters (available at amazon.com).
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Do not show the kids the Harlem Globetrotters on the "Scooby Doo" show from the 1970s. It is not the least racist thing you will ever see, but feel free to judge for yourself.
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Download a Jackie Robinson coloring page for the kids to color. Just search "Jackie Robinson coloring" online to find it.
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Read the kids "The Elmira Express," the story of Ernie Davis, to explain how college football became integrated.
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Read the kids the Big Buddy Biography of Tiger Woods and explain to them that he has won tournaments at golf clubs where his dad was not allowed to play because he was black. Tiger is now considered by most to be the greatest golfer of all time.
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End the lesson by showing the kids a picture of Barack Obama and explain to them that this was the last barrier left for African Americans in the United States-and now it has been broken.
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Comments
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I like the sports idea. I'll try this next year :)
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goodteacher22
Mar 16, 2009
this is a great article and a great way to celebrate Black History month. Like he said, it's not the only way, it's just one way to celebrate.
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goodteacher22
Mar 16, 2009
this is a great article and a great way to celebrate Black History month. Like he said, it's not the only way, it's just one way to celebrate.
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ch058849
Mar 10, 2009
Wow! Speaking from all non-afriacn americans I am apalled to here that this is what "teachers" are talking about. I disagree with the comments or the happy-go-lucky approach that you should just go on with the topic. African Americans are more than just sports and President Barack Obama. For you to say that it is the last barrier left for African Americans in the United States?and now it has been broken. Is false, if you are teaching about the black history wouldn't you need to actually take time to look up black history- like the writers, poets, professors, scientist, doctors, political leaders, business owners, lawyers and other professionals. I am shocked to see the lack of education - in the education system so early and if this article is geared towards non-Blacks then they should be just as aware if not more because this country was thriving on the backs of those very slaves th
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ch058849
Mar 10, 2009
Wow! Speaking from all non-afriacn americans I am apalled to here that this is what "teachers" are talking about. I disagree with the comments or the happy-go-lucky approach that you should just go on with the topic. African Americans are more than just sports and President Barack Obama. For you to say that it is the last barrier left for African Americans in the United States?and now it has been broken. Is false, if you are teaching about the black history wouldn't you need to actually take time to look up black history- like the writers, poets, professors, scientist, doctors, political leaders, business owners, lawyers and other professionals. I am shocked to see the lack of education - in the education system so early and if this article is geared towards non-Blacks then they should be just as aware if not more because this country was thriving on the backs of those very slaves th
