African American History Month, also known as Black History Month, is observed in February and celebrates of achievements of African Americans. This important designation was created to bring to light and honor to the accomplishments of Black Americans in United States history who have not received adequate acknowledgement.
Included below are activities and books that highlight important successes of Black Americans in science, government, the arts, and sports who have been historically overlooked. In studying the lives of these talented individuals, students may develop an awareness of qualities of character common to those who have made a difference in the world.
Free Printable Activities
Holiday Art Projects: Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Paper Chain
Grades 1–5
This art activity provides a brief history and paper chain project to celebrate the contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Read and Understand Celebrating Diversity: Only One: A Story of Ruby Bridges
Grades 1–2
This reading unit presents a two-page story about six-year-old Ruby Bridges and her role in desegregating schools in 1960. It includes reading comprehension and vocabulary practice activities.
Read and Understand Celebrating Diversity: Jackie Robinson
Grades 3–4
This activity provides students with a biographical sketch of Jackie Robinson’s life as the first African American Major League Baseball player. This reading unit includes reading comprehension and language activities.
Read and Understand Celebrating Diversity: Thurgood Marshall
Grades 3–4
This activity provides a biographical sketch of the first Black Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall. It includes reading comprehension questions, vocabulary, and writing activities.
Read and Understand Stories and Activities: Marian Anderson
Grades 4–6
This reading unit describes the experiences of the first African American opera singer to sing at the Metropolitan Opera House. This reading unit includes a story and vocabulary and comprehension activities.
Easy File Folder Reports: Black Americans
Grades 3–6
This social studies report provides ideas, directions, and patterns for creating a report on a Black American. It includes making a mini book, pipe cleaner person, and timeline.
Additional Activities on TeachersPayTeachers
Reader’s Theater: George Washington Carver
Grades 1–2
This reading unit teaches children about the notable African American botanist whose life began in slavery. It includes a reader’s theater script, background information, and extension activities.
Reading Paired Text: People Can Change the World
Grade 2
This social studies and reading unit helps children answer the big question, “Do I have the power to change the world?” Included in this reading unit are two lessons with reading articles on Cesar Chavez and the Grape Boycott and Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Bus Boycott, with corresponding reading comprehension and vocabulary practice pages.
Reader’s Theater: Sojourner Truth: A Life Devoted to Justice
Grade 4
This play includes a reader’s theater script about a formerly enslaved woman who became a powerful speaker for abolition and women’s rights. This activity includes two extension activities.
Reading Information Text: Benjamin Banneker
Grade 5
This reading unit presents an informational article that includes how Benjamin Banneker’s scientific accomplishments in the 1700s helped change attitudes about African Americans. The unit contains a reading selection with supporting activities to guide students in close reading of the text.
Spanish-English Read and Understand Nonfiction: Jesse Owens
Grades 4–6
This reading unit presents a biographical article about track and field runner Jesse Owens. He won gold medals and broke track records at the 1936 Olympic Games. Written in both English and Spanish, this unit includes three follow-up activities with reading comprehension and vocabulary.
Top Kids’ Books to Read for Black History Month
Celebrate African American history with these stories of African Americans overcoming adversity.
Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine tells the true story of Henry, an enslaved boy, who mails himself to freedom.
This Jazz Man by Karen Ehrhardt is perfect for young children and gives tribute to jazz history. Children will learn to count and move to the music with the fun jazz songs.
Whoever You Are by Mem Fox explores different lives around the world and helps young children understand that despite our differences, we are all still the same.
Follow the Drinking Gourd by Jeanette Winter gives children a glimpse into the Underground Railroad with the story of a sailor who teaches escaping enslaved people a song about the drinking gourd in the sky (the Big Dipper) and how to follow it north to freedom.
The Other Side by Jaqueline Woodson shares a sweet story about two girls who develop a friendship by playing on a fence that separates the African American side of town from the white side of town.
Let Them Play by Margot Theis Raven tells the true story of a group of young African American baseball players who join a little league in South Carolina only to find that all the white teams refuse to play with them.
Teammates by Peter Golenbock shares the story of Jackie Robinson, who became the first African American player in Major League Baseball.
The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage by Selina Alko shares the true story of the Loving vs. Virginia Supreme Court case that made interracial marriage legal.
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and The Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly tells the inspiring true story of four African American women who overcame gender and racial bias to help NASA put the first men in space.
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson provides a comprehensive children’s history of African American history in the United States. From early slavery through the Civil Rights Movement, the story recounts America’s journey to justice and liberty for all.
The individuals highlighted in this article are only a few of the many talented African Americans who have contributed to United States history. These lessons and activities are designed to not only inform children on important historical achievements, but to inspire them to advocate for equity, civic participation, and equitable access for every person.
In highlighting the importance of culturally responsive social studies teaching, W.E.B. Du Bois said it best in his Propaganda of History from Black Reconstruction in America 1860–1880, “Nations reel and stagger on their way; they make hideous mistakes; they commit frightful wrongs; they do great and beautiful things. And shall we not best guide humanity by telling the truth about all of this, so far as the truth is ascertainable?”
For more lesson ideas that celebrate African American achievements, check out these articles and free activities:
Black History Month Free Reading Printables 
Celebrating African American Artists and Writers for Juneteenth
He Changed America by Talking: Classroom Activities to Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.
Heather Foudy is a certified elementary teacher with over 7 years’ experience as an educator and volunteer in the classroom. She enjoys creating lessons that are meaningful and creative forstudents. She is currently working for Evan-Moor’s marketing and communications team and enjoys building learning opportunities that are both meaningful and creative for students and teachers alike.