Inside: Use this Black History Emergent Reader to focus on and learn about amazing Black Americans during Black History Month in February.
As an elementary school teacher, I always laughed when February came around because we were expected to fit so much in. February has Valentine’s Day, Groundhog Day, the 100th Day of School, and is Dental Health Month and Black History Month.
Ready, set, go.
Luckily, we can triage and focus on the most important aspects of February. The groundhog can wait so we can spend more time focusing on amazing Black Americans and African Americans kids should know about.
Of course we should teach correct Black History all year long; but we should especially focus on it during February and lift up and celebrate and honor famous Black Americans who paved the way, were the firsts, and defied every obstacle to succeed.
It can feel overwhelming to know where to start, so we created the emergent reader book we wish we had when we were still teaching the littles in February while also tying in our message of kindness.
Other Ways to Celebrate and Honor Black History Month with Kids
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. But since 1976, the week has turned into Black History Month when President Ford announced we should “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
To celebrate Black Americans we can of course turn to books to learn about people-both living and deceased-and their accomplishments.
Things Kids Should Know About Black History
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History
Little Leaders: Exceptional Men in Black History
I am Brave: A Little Book About Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sheroes: 15 Fierce and Fearless Women Who Shaped Black History
Change Sings by Amanda Gorman
We also read this Black History Emergent Reader that focuses on these Black Americans:
1. Serena Williams, tennis player and Olympian
2.Martin Luther King, Jr., Civil Rights Movement Leader
3.Mae Jemison, first Black female astronaut in space
4.Barack Obama, first Black president of the USA
5.Kamala Harris, first female VP of USA
6.Jackie Robinson, first Black baseball player in Major Leagues (Brooklyn Dodgers)
7.Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, first Black woman on the Supreme Court
8.Michael Jordan, legendary basketball player and Olympian
9.Simone Biles, gymnast and Olympian
10.George Washington Carver, scientist (botany), inventor and agriculturalist, known for his work with peanuts and soybeans; he was born a slave.
11.Michelle Obama, First Lady of the USA, author
12.Louis Armstrong, jazz musician and song writer
13.Jackie Joyner-Kersee, track and field Olympian
14.Misty Copeland, first Black female principal dancer for the American Ballet Company
How to Use the Black History Emergent Reader
1. Purchase and download the Amazing Black People to Know Emergent Reader Book.
2. Print out the version you wish to use: color or black and white and cut them apart. I swear by my paper cutter I bought my first year teaching because I can’t cut a straight line.
If you use the black and white version, use these skin color crayons so students can color in the people.
3. On the last page, kids can illustrate and write/dictate the last page. They can choose another Black American to put in their book. If the person is still alive, they’ll circle “is,” if the person is deceased, they’ll circle “was.”
Then they’ll add an adjective to match them. They can choose any Black American, but here are some ideas:
- Athletes like Patrick Mahomes, Kobe Bryant, Muhammad Ali, Magic Johnson
- Civil Rights Activists like Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, and Malcolm X
- Movie/TV actors like Chadwick Boseman and Halle Berry
- Musicians like Beyonce and Diana Ross and Snoop Dog and Usher
- Scientists/mathematicians like Katherine Johnson Goble
- Poets/Authors: Amanda Gorman, Maya Angelou, Sojourner Truth, Toni Morrison
4. Follow up and use the discussion starters to talk about these amazing Black Americans featured in the Famous Black Americans Emergent Reader:
- Listen to Louis Armstrong’s jazz
- Watch Dr. King and President Obama and Kamala Harris speak
- Watch Michael Jordan, Simone Biles and Serena Williams compete
- Watch Misty dance
Learn more about the people your students find most interesting. Then learn about Black trailblazers and history makers not in this book (we were limited by clipart, but there are hundreds more amazing people to know!)
5. Students can write or dictate about what they know about with one of 2 writing prompts that are printed on lined paper and dot lined paper.
And then keep celebrating Black History all month and all year long.
Ready to get the Black History Emergent Reader Set?
Get the Black History Month Emergent Reader here.
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