Celebrating Black History Month: 10 Ways Your Student Can Learn About Black History and Culture in America

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate the impact of African American heritage, culture, and achievement in our country. While most K–12 schools incorporate Black history activities into their curriculum, Black History Month offers a wonderful opportunity to extend your child’s learning at home or enhance your homeschool curriculum. Here are 10 ways your student can learn about Black history and culture. You don’t have to wait until February—these activities and resources can be used throughout the year!  

1. Celebrate with Cross-Curricular Activities  

Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher of children’s books, has developed 13 cross-curricular activities(opens in a new tab) for teachers to celebrate Black History Month, broken down by elementary, middle, and high school. While these ideas are intended to be done in a traditional classroom, they can all be adapted to online school or homeschool students. While you’re on the Scholastic website(opens in a new tab), check out their reading list of young adult books written by African American authors.  

2. Read a Book About the African American Experience, History, and Culture   

Educators recommend that students spend at least 20 minutes a day reading. Celebrate Black History Month by having your student read a book that features African American culture, shares the story of a great African American figure, or brings the African American experience to life. For inspiration, here are 10 terrific books(opens in a new tab) for students in elementary school.  

3. Watch a Documentary  

Documentaries bring the past to life, connecting us to significant times in history. PBS offers this list of powerful documentaries(opens in a new tab) exploring Black history and culture in America. Relive iconic moments, like the 1963 March on Washington, or join the Freedom Riders on their journey through the Jim Crow South. These documentaries are appropriate for middle or high school students.   

4. Plan a Full Lesson on Historical Topics  

PBS also offers their Learning Media series, with several lessons(opens in a new tab) that honor Black History Month, including lessons on the Emancipation Proclamation, the Great Migration, and the civil rights movement. These lessons are designed to support teachers and homeschool families but are an excellent resource for parents looking to help their student have a deeper understanding of these important topics.  

5. Virtually Visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is part of the Smithsonian Institute and devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. They have a wealth of online learning resources(opens in a new tab) to help you enrich your student’s learning experience, including recommended reading resources for elementary, middle, and high school students and Smithsonian Learning Labs, which are free, interactive lessons where students can explore both well-known and not so well-known moments in history.  

6. Watch a Movie Showcasing African American History or Experiences

Celebrate Black History Month with family movie night, watching movies that celebrate the African American experience or that highlight historical events. Movie casts have become more diverse in recent years, so choosing films that feature actors of color is a way to celebrate achievements. Need inspiration? Check out this list(opens in a new tab) of 50 African American children’s movies for a special family movie night.  

7. Honor African American Veterans

Did you know that nearly 200,000 African Americans served in the US Army from 1863 to 1865, making up nearly 10 percent of the American soldiers who served in the US Army during the Civil War? It all started with the formation of the 54th Massachusetts regiment(opens in a new tab). From service in the Civil War to the Buffalo Soldiers and Tuskegee Airmen, African American men and women have a long history of serving in the United States military. Your student can honor their contributions in both times of war and peace by learning more(opens in a new tab) about their service.  

8. Learn About African American Inventors

The first African American to be awarded a US patent was Thomas Jennings, who in 1821 invented a way to dry-clean clothes. The first African American woman to receive a patent was Judy Reed for her dough kneader and roller in 1884. Have your student research other African American inventors(opens in a new tab) who made contributions to science, industry, business, agriculture, transportation, and communications.  

9. Listen to a TED Talk

If your high school student walks around with earbuds in all day, have them spend some time listening to TED Talks that celebrate Black History Month. TED Talks are designed to share knowledge through short talks and presentations. Their Black History Month playlist(opens in a new tab) includes talks about the migration of African Americans out of the Jim Crow South, an introduction of the woman Martin Luther King Jr. called “the architect of the civil rights movement,” and how speaking openly about race makes for better business and society.  

10. Explore African American Musical Influencers

Celebrate Black History Month by listening to the great African American musicians. Have your student read about the 50 most important African American musical artists(opens in a new tab) and learn more about their lives and music. Use this opportunity to introduce your student to musical genres that were heavily influenced by these talented artists, including jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, gospel, doo-wop, and hip-hop.  

The landmark Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education, which integrated America’s public schools, happened in 1954. Check out more key dates in the history of education in the United States.