Your Favorite Ways to Celebrate Black History Month

We asked. You answered!

Get inspired with the submissions by educators in the First Book community on how they celebrate Black History month in their classrooms.

"We are celebrating by posting adifferent trivia question each dayon class Dojo since we are virtual. We are trying to use more current Black History influential people that the students already may know as well. Students that answer correct are entered into a drawing to win books."
-Julie Zimmerman

"We celebrate by having my studentscreate a living museum. They select a person, dress up as them and share their story from a 1st person point of view."
-Shelisha Walker

"Engaging my students in daily, culturally responsive teaching strategies and discussions when responding to texts or videos about African American Change makers. We arefocusing on a different theme each week: Inventors & Trailblazers, Sports, Arts, and Present Day. Additionally, we are participating ina virtual field trip a week that relates to the themes."
-Lupe Escobar

"This year we’re (my 4th grade class)spending a week each on Black musicians, artists, inventors, and athletes/actors. For instance, today they listened to Bo Diddley, Tina Turner, and Prince and interviewed their family, asking them their fav song. Students are also researching an influential Black person from the state they researched. Excited to discuss beyond MLK Jr.!"
-Mara Christensen

"I start off with'Who Am I' questionsof famous black Americans and students have to guess. Kids love it! Then we do a read aloud."
-N. Jordyn Cho

"We love to celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth bycreating awesome book displaysin our library with the amazing books we get from First Book!!"
-Hillary Sterling Yerkish

"Today, for National Freedom Day, we learned more about the history of the 13th Amendment and played Bob Marley's Redemption Song, showing musicians all around the world.Everyday we include beautiful songs and stories celebrating diverse cultures, inclusion and kindness. We try to fill our story time with fun adventures, while also planting seeds for positive change both in our students' daily lives and for their futures."
-Wendy Joy

"Celebrate withbook crafts."
-Tina Landry

"We have studentsresearching and sharing snippets about important African Americansof the past and present on our video morning announcements."
-Terri Vangelos

"We spotlight an accomplishment of a Black person each day, read books written by Black authors, engage in daily discussions to help students become active participants, oratorical competition, anda Black History Month Bowl."
-Angela Davis

"I honor Black History month bysearching for the lesser known storiesand then sharing them with teacher friends and students."
-Tinnae Hamilton

"I love sharingMaya Angelou's 'Be A Rainbow' speechwith my students. Makes me tear up every time."
-Natasha Vazquez Lee

"We are celebrating byreading a book and drawing a picture about our favorite partto decorate our bulletin board. We also sing together to learn more about black history month."
-Lynda Kuang

"I celebrate with my students by studying nonfiction chapter books of various topics- Black athletes, Black authors, Black Historical events, Black artists/musicians, etc. They share their understandings insmall book clubsand create presentations to showcase their learning and big takeaways."
-Alice Haight

"We love to decorate our doors. We read about a different African American inventor, politician, educator Etc. every day during the month of February, and we also doskits about important African American figures."
-Adrienne Lewis Grace

"I placedBlack History flash cardson the board and gave my students an opportunity to pull a card and read facts and information about the achievements made by African Americans. The kids really enjoyed this activity."
-Genick Joseph

"We celebrate byselecting two African Americans (one well-known and one lesser-known) each dayand reading and learning about their accomplishments and contributions."
-Dawn Hoff

"As a school administrator, I have createda virtual bulletin board for students and staff to share their black heroes. As a mom, I am making sure to read books highlighting black characters with my preschooler. As a human, I am reading black authors and following black activists to become a better ally."
-Holly Hillard

"My favorite way to celebrate Black History Month is to assign my students & family projects tocreate replicas of African American inventions. For example: the traffic light by Garrett Morgan."
-Tiffany Chapman

"We are celebrating Black History month bydisplaying many books that celebrate diversity. All the books are either written (author), illustrated, have a character in the book, describe a historical event and/or culture. Some of the authors, characters and/or events are familiar to my students and some are being introduced for the very first time. I want to showcase the tremendous impact people of color have had and about empowering students so they can follow in their footsteps."
-Amy Paulson

"Today we started off by activating their schema and seeing what they know. We will continue to watch videos, read books (about famous heroes and everyday people), and do some reflecting. I hope to maybe have themwrite a poem or two!"
-Gabby Slonke

"Book displays in my library and making sure each of my library lessons is educating my K-5 students about unsung heroes they may not be familiar with since so many classroom teachers tend to focus on big names our students are familiar with already. I loveopening their eyes to inventors, scientists, doctors, etc…that are not typical focal points."
-Rachel Marie

"My class celebrates by learning about one African American historical figure fromVashti Harrison’s book 'Little Dreamers' and 'Little Leaders'. Our morning meetings are so much better since adding this!"
-Lauren Gullotti

"We're going todrive around to our local little free libraries and drop off bookscelebrating Black history."
-Heather Boyd

"I love teaching my students aboutlocal connectionslike the Greensboro Sit-ins."
-Tonya Fletcher

"My students will be creating their owndigital assignment highlighting a hero that changed the world for the better! Each student will pick their own hero, whether it be Harriet Tubman or their great-grandmother."
-Suzanne Roberts

"I celebrate Black History Month by displays of books and eBook curates that are written and/or about Black Influences/Influencers. I alsocreated a Choice-board that obtains different articles, read alouds, quizzes, and other resourcesthat involve rich content of Black History. I also do daily 'Fun Facts' and quotes of/by those who have contributed to Black History."
-Alexandera Faye

"At Healdsburg Elementary School, we read history including Black History all year round. Last year, we hada guest readers programwhich featured readers of color. This year, we had a Zoom Community RAL featuring MLK jr's DREAM Speech last month. Our students are particularly interested in Rosa Parks, MLK, Jr., and Harriet Tubman. A favorite book is BACK OF THE BUS, which we teach by reading and sharing marbles. Our students also learned so much from BEFORE SHE WAS HARRIET. Our LLC has a suggested reading selection for teachers out on a LLC table. And, we routinely peruse and recommend First Book selections. First Book prices are great, and the depth and breadth of selection is so inspiring."
-Greta Mesics

First Book adds new books to the Marketplace weekly! Visit often to see what new books we’ve added to our selection of titles aboutBlack history, books featuringAfrican American characters and cultures, and books byAfrican American authors and illustrators.

Join the Network

Educators can join First Book'snetwork— the largest and fastest growing network of educators, schools, and programs serving children in need across the United States and Canada — to bring these titles to your classroom.

REGISTER FOR FREE