Looking for some meaningful Black History Month activities for elementary students? February is Black History Month and a wonderful time to help our students learn about the history of the African American people in the United States. Although a history filled with suffering and pain, it is also filled with brave and courageous people, brilliant minds, extraordinary artists, and determined athletes. We owe it to our students to teach them about the events of the past so that they can learn from history. We owe it to them so they can be the world changers we know they are capable of becoming.
In this blog post, we share some helpful Black History Month ideas and learning opportunities, especially in the area of reading, for older students. This is a great opportunity to help students improve their critical thinking skills by learning about the achievements of black Americans. Whether your kiddos are learning individually, in small groups, or as a whole class, these are some of the best ways to learn about and understand the significant impact of historical events and important people in American history.
These Black History reading passages are the perfect way to connect history and language arts in the upper elementary and middle school classroom. Social studies and language arts connect so well. Using a cross-curricular approach in the classroom allows us to dedicate more time and dig a little deeper into topics that might otherwise be limited to a 45-minute block of time. This approach is easy to add to your lesson plan!
Using a close reading approach, students are taught important reading comprehension skills they can use to dig deeper into a text. This results in increased comprehension and a better understanding of the text and how it connects to life. Students will use the same passage for multiple days to focus on a variety of different reading skills.  Each day students will read the passage with a different focus. This allows them to build upon their understanding of the passage in a new way with each reading.
Each of these Black History close reading passages includes 5 activities. It works well to complete one activity each day for a week. By the end of the week, students will have worked on:
Not only do each of these activities lead to a deeper understanding of the text, but they also increase in rigor. Â Traditional reading passages so often only work skills in the bottom two layers of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Â However, through close reading, students are able to better their comprehension thus allowing them to move to higher level thinking skills and activities.
Everything you need for each activity is included. These resources include a printable and digital version of the activities which makes them perfect for any teaching situation. Â All you have to do is copy the pages or share the resources through a link or your online learning management system. Each close reading unit also includes differentiated reading passages to help you meet the needs of all your students. Students are able to learn and focus on the same topic while working on key reading comprehension skills at their level. By reading at their own level, they will be able to better understand the topics, and their reading comprehension will improve.
Take your students back to the 1800s and pre-Civil War America. This was a time of division, slavery, inequality, and war. Not a shining time in U.S. history, but a time when a courageous hero emerged. Your students will love learning about Harriet Tubman’s determination and perseverance to help others through the Underground Railroad. They will be inspired by her bravery and ingenuity.
Here’s a list of wonderful resources, including picture books, to help you teach about Harriet Tubman:
Another amazing African American woman emerged in the 1950’s. Engage your students with the courageousness of Rosa Parks and her determination to stand up for right and wrong. Your students will be engaged with the important events in Montgomery, Alabama as they learn about the discriminatory practices of the South during this time.
Here are some teaching resources for your lessons on Rosa Park:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of the most well-know men when it comes to the unfair treatment of African Americans. He is a leader of the Civil Rights movement and a great hero we can all learn much from. His “I Have a Dream” speech is famous worldwide for his dream of seeing a society where all people are treated equally. Â These resources are great for both Black History Month or the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday in January.
Here are some great resources for teaching about Dr. King with your upper elementary students:
Ruby Bridges will inspire your students with her bravery. Â Perhaps more than any other historic hero, our students can best identify with the bravery of this young girl who was the first to enter a desegregated elementary school. Â Students are able to easily make personal connections because they are so close to her age. Â Learning about Ruby Bridges is often a starting place for many wonderful discussions about empathy.
Here are some excellent resources to help you teach your students about Ruby Bridges:
Amidst the terrible tyranny of Germany in the 1930’s emerged an African American athlete who proved that the ideas of a supreme race were wrong. In the 1936 Summer Olympics, Jesse Owens won 4 gold medals, more than any other person. He is known for his dedication and determination to work hard and never give up.
Here are some great resources for teaching about Jesse Owens:
You can find all these close reading units in the complete Black History Reading Comprehension Packet. While each unit is available individually, grab the bundle and fill your entire month with the lives of amazing people who will inspire us to learn from the past in order to make the future better. It is the perfect resource for Black History Month activities for elementary students!
In this great resource, students will learn all about five highly inspirational historical figures with this helpful, informational Black History Close Reading Unit! Perfect for a complete Black History Month reading unit, this resource includes everything, including worksheets, that you need for 5 full Close Reading units. Engaging for students and NO PREP for teachers!
If you have never used Close Reading or even if you are already a pro, this 75-page bundle truly is for you! It has everything you need for a complete, successful informational text reading unit.
Each of the 5 passages included in this resource is provided in two differentiated levels. One is in the fifth-sixth grade reading range, and the other is in the third-fourth grade reading level range. The level is given for each passage, along with a guide that provides the corresponding grade levels. I’ve taken all the guesswork out of differentiating and leveling of passages for you!
Includes Five Close Reading Passages:
This packet includes:
The digital version of each packet includes ready-made, visually appealing Google slides for you to share with your class. They include interactive drag-and-drop annotation marks and fillable text-dependent activities.
Sometimes we can get in a rut teaching the same things year after year.  Or, worse, our students get in a rut with grade level after grade level teaching about the same people and events. Here are some additional people you might like to teach about for Black History Month that can help your students get a more well-rounded view of the amazing contributions of black Americans in the United States and around the world. Pair these with the engaging Black history reading passages for an amazing month of teaching and be sure to add them to your list of Black History Month activities for elementary students!
Muhammad Ali was a legendary boxer and activist, known for his unparalleled skill in the ring and his outspoken stance on social justice. His resilience and confidence made him a global icon for sports and civil rights.
Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947, paving the way for racial integration in professional sports. His courage and talent made him a symbol of perseverance in the face of adversity.
Langston Hughes was a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance, using his poetry and prose to celebrate Black culture and address social injustices. His works, like The Negro Speaks of Rivers, continue to inspire generations.
Phillis Wheatley was the first African American woman to publish a book of poetry, overcoming enslavement to become a literary pioneer. Her eloquent verses challenged societal perceptions of race and intellect.
Maya Angelou was a poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist whose work, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, explored themes of identity, racism, and resilience. She became a voice for justice and empowerment worldwide.
Barack Obama made history as the first Black president of the United States, serving two terms from 2009 to 2017. His leadership focused on hope, progress, and unity, inspiring millions.
Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress and the first to run for president in a major party. Her fearless advocacy for equality and justice paved the way for future leaders.
Colin Powell was the first Black U.S. Secretary of State, shaping foreign policy and national security. As a decorated four-star general, he broke barriers in military leadership.
Benjamin Davis, Sr. became the first Black general in the U.S. Army, advocating for the fair treatment of Black soldiers. His leadership helped lay the foundation for military integration.
Clarence Thomas is the second Black justice to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, known for his conservative judicial philosophy. His tenure has had a lasting impact on American law and governance.
Jane Bolin was the first Black female judge in the United States, serving for over 40 years. She fought against segregation and discrimination in the legal system.
Mae Jemison became the first Black woman in space in 1992, breaking barriers in STEM and inspiring future generations. Her contributions extend beyond space exploration into education and advocacy.
Ronald McNair was a NASA astronaut and physicist who tragically perished in the Challenger disaster. His legacy lives on through scholarships and programs supporting STEM education for underrepresented students.
Sojourner Truth was an abolitionist and women’s rights activist, famous for her powerful speech, Ain’t I a Woman? She dedicated her life to fighting for freedom and equality.
Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. She provided healthcare to freed slaves and challenged racial barriers in medicine.
Alice Ball developed a groundbreaking treatment for leprosy, known as the “Ball Method,” at a time when few women, let alone Black women, were recognized in science. Her contributions saved countless lives.
Sarah Boone improved the design of the ironing board, receiving a patent in 1892. Her innovation made ironing more efficient and contributed to household technology advancements.
George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist who promoted crop rotation and developed hundreds of uses for peanuts and sweet potatoes. His work helped transform sustainable farming practices.
Bessie Coleman was the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license, overcoming racism and sexism to inspire future aviators. She performed daring air shows to encourage Black participation in aviation.
Hattie McDaniel was the first Black actor to win an Academy Award for her role in Gone with the Wind. Despite facing racism in Hollywood, she paved the way for Black performers.
Denzel Washington is an award-winning actor known for his powerful performances in films like Malcolm X and Training Day. His talent and philanthropy have made him a beloved cultural figure.
Duke Ellington was a jazz legend and composer whose innovative music defined the swing era. His influence on American music remains profound, shaping jazz as a global art form.
These historical figures, across various fields, have shaped history and continue to inspire generations. Who are your students excited to learn about this Black History Month?
You can find out more about the amazing lives of these and many others at Biography.com.
Celebrating Black History Month with reading is a great way to honor the voices, stories, and contributions of Black leaders, civil rights leaders, and changemakers. These activities help us learn, spark important conversations, and deepen our understanding of history and identity.
Whether you’re diving into classic works, discovering new writers, or sharing books with kids, every page brings new insights and perspectives. Let’s keep exploring and uplifting Black stories—not just in the second week of February, but all year long. Happy reading!
Save these Black History reading passages and Black History Month activities for elementary students by saving this to your favorite classroom Pinterest board. That way you can quickly come back when you need more teaching ideas and resources.
Hi, I’m Shelly! Thank you for being here. I love helping third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers with fun and engaging activities that require no to little prep! Let me help you by taking some of the stress and work off your plate.
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