Your Favorite Ways to Celebrate Black History Month

What is your favorite way 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 a different trivia question each day on 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 students create 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 are focusing on a different theme each week: Inventors & Trailblazers, Sports, Arts, and Present Day. Additionally, we are participating in a 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’ questions of 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 by creating awesome book displays in 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 with book crafts.”
-Tina Landry

“We have students researching and sharing snippets about important African Americans of 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, and a Black History Month Bowl.”
-Angela Davis

“I honor Black History month by searching for the lesser known stories and then sharing them with teacher friends and students.”
-Tinnae Hamilton

“I love sharing Maya Angelou’s ‘Be A Rainbow’ speech with my students. Makes me tear up every time.”
-Natasha Vazquez Lee

“We are celebrating by reading a book and drawing a picture about our favorite part to 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 in small book clubs and 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 do skits about important African American figures.”
-Adrienne Lewis Grace

“I placed Black History flash cards on 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 by selecting two African Americans (one well-known and one lesser-known) each day and reading and learning about their accomplishments and contributions.”
-Dawn Hoff

“As a school administrator, I have created a 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 to create replicas of African American inventions. For example: the traffic light by Garrett Morgan.”
-Tiffany Chapman

“We are celebrating Black History month by displaying 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 them write 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 love opening 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 from Vashti Harrison’s book ‘Little Dreamers’ and ‘Little Leaders’. Our morning meetings are so much better since adding this!”
-Lauren Gullotti

“We’re going to drive around to our local little free libraries and drop off books celebrating Black history.”
-Heather Boyd

“I love teaching my students about local connections like the Greensboro Sit-ins.”
-Tonya Fletcher

“My students will be creating their own digital 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 also created a Choice-board that obtains different articles, read alouds, quizzes, and other resources that 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 had a guest readers program which 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

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Looking for #BlackHistoryMonth Book Suggestions?

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