Lesson Plan

10 Ideas for Teaching Black History Month

Bayard Rustin Speaking with Kids before Demonstration

Library of Congress

Bayard Rustin speaking with young Civil Rights supporters before demonstration. Rustin (March 17, 1912 – August 24, 1987) was an American leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism, pacifism and non-violence, and gay rights. Left to Right: Carolyn Carter, Cecil Carter, Bayard Rustin (center), Kurt Levister and Kathy Ross.

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GRADE LEVEL: Elementary School, Middle School, High School

COMMON CORE STANDARDS: Reading, Writing, Language, Speaking and Listening

As we celebrate and commemorate Black History Month, it is important to engage students in activities that get them to think broadly and critically about the Black experience in all of its complexity. Instruction should incorporate history, point of view, politics, struggle, first-person experience, art, literature and data. This resource includes ten ideas for teaching about Black History Month.