Black History Month Activities for the 2nd Grade
Black History Month celebrates the contributions and achievements of African-Americans throughout history that helped to shape our country. Celebrated each year over the entire month of February, teachers can use this month to teach second graders about famous African American figures, as well as the importance of equality and the value of diversity.
-
Dream Clouds
-
After teaching about Martin Luther King, have each student cut a cloud shape out of construction paper. In the cloud, each student should draw a picture of something they think could make the world a better place. It could be something as simple as making it mandatory for people to say "Please" and "Thank you" or as silly as being allowed to bring your dog to school with you. Talk to the children about their dreams and why they think they would make the world a better place.
Unity Wreath
-
Give each child construction paper and have them trace one of their hands. Students should color in the hand in whatever color their own hands are. Provide the children with crayons in skin tone colors such as pink, tan, olive, and brown. The children can then cut out their hands. Glue the hands together to form a wreath. If the classroom is full of children that are primarily of one race, have the children trace their hands again using a construction paper in a color different from their skin own. Place the wreath on a bulletin board and place a peace symbol in the middle of it. Explain to the children that, despite different skin colors, we should be treated equal and be kind to each other, no matter our skin color.
-
Themed Books
-
Story time provides an opportunity for students to learn about African American achievements through books. Read age-appropriate books, such as "Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt," by Deborah Hopkinson, which tells the story of a young slave girl who escapes from slavery; "I've Seen the Promised Land: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," by Walter Dean Myers; "A Picture Book of Rosa Parks," by David A Adler and "The Story of Ruby Bridges," by Robert Coles, which tells the true story about a girl who integrated her elementary school.
Jackie Robinson
-
This activity should follow a lesson on Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. Provide each child with a plain, white T-shirt. Using fabric paint, help the children paint the word Dodgers on the front of the shirt, the team on which Jackie played. Allow the paint to dry overnight. You can lay the T-shirts on a long table in one area of the room. The next day, have the children turn the shirt over and paint a 42 in the middle of the shirt. Above the number, have each child paint their last name. Allow these shirts to dry again overnight. Set up a T-ball game with the children wearing their T-shirts later in the week. If possible work with other classes so classes can compete against each other.
-
