K-12 Black History Month Units and Resources

Primary (Pre-K - Grade 3)

Martin Luther King,Jr. theme unit for primary grades

Social Awareness – A Study of Africa Teaching students to appreciate and accept those of other cultures

Help us find our roots An exploration of cultural diversity in your own community. This theme unit is a variation on the Diversity unit for Memphis, TN for intermediate learners, designed for primary grades. Easily adaptable for use
in any city

Mini-Theme Unit Cross curriculum theme unit on African American culture and diversity designed to be completed in one full day. For grade 3, with activities in all subjects

An Author, Illustrator And Poet Exploring the Black experience through books and literature. A full month of activities focusing on writing and illustrating books focusing on Black authors and illustrators For grade 3.

The Freedom Quilt Uses the book Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt to introduce the Underground Railroad, geography and mapping concepts and economic concepts to students in K-5.

African American Women   A series of lessons for third graders about African women, the slave experience and the Civil Rights movement

Junior (Grade 4-Grade 6)

  Slave, Soldier, Settler The story of Richard Pierpoint, one of the first settlers of Ontario

Underground Railroad What was it and how did it work? A study of the Underground Railroad that helped move escaped and former slaves into new lives in the North

The Life of Martin Luther King A theme unit for junior learners about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Celebrating Diversity Students explore the diversity and ethnic makeup of their own community, focusing on those of African descent. Links for research refer specifically to Memphis, TN, but the lesson plan is easily adaptable for use in any city

African Culture Unit A cross curriculum theme unit on appreciating culture and diversity for grades 3-5.

Black History and Music Exploring Black history through music. A theme unit designed to cover several days, created for grade 6, but adaptable for older or younger students

The Impact of the Black Storyteller A two week theme unit to introduce the concept of the storyteller as historian and interpreter of Black history. For grade 6, using the works of Martin Luther King, Jr., Maya Angelou, ‘Moms’ Mabley, James Baldwin and other Black writers and artists

Intermediate (Grade 7-Grade 9)

Famous African Americans A Project Integrate theme unit focusing on famous African Americans, easily expandable to include Blacks of all nationalities or adaptable to Black Canadians. Excellent resource

From Slavery to Civil Rights Excellent unit for intermediate learners, includes an exploration of slavery in Africa and outside of it, and of slavery as both a civil institution and a violation of human rights

Famous African Explorers Exceptionally well-constructed unit focusing on famous Blacks in history, particularly explorer Matthew Henson. Cross curriculum activities and lesson plans, designed to cover one full month.

K-W-L Unit on Famous Blacks Using books and poems, students explore the influence of Blacks on history. Includes resources about Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, Faith Ringgold, George Washington Carver, Frederick Douglass, Langston Hughes

Videotaping Oral History Combatting ethnic stereotypes and developing pride through a unit in broadcast journalism. Students study the effects of the media on stereotyping and racial identity, then construct their own oral histories

Senior (Grade 10-Grade 12)

 Some Missing Pages A history of Black Canadians for research, reading and activities

Frederick Douglas History of a Slave a full theme unit

Jim Crow Exploration An exploration of the Jim Crow laws for high school students from PBS

Graffiti Art An exploration of diversity and culture through graffiti and art for high school art classes

 

General Resources

 The Underground Railroad - cross curriculum multi level activities about the Underground Railroad, includes “Walk to Canada”

 Canadian Black History Rich resource with links to many Canadian sites about Black history, the Underground Railroad and more. Many primary sources for information
to be used for research and lesson planning

Canadian Black Heritage In the Third Millenium - a Black Canadian web portal. Many excellent resources and researh links for teachers and other educators

Black History Lesson Plans at Education World – multi level activities and lessons

Activities
and Lessons Includes printable worksheets, essay questions and activities for use during Black History Month for all elementary grade levels