PBS
Being Heard
Examine the work of contemporary authors who use their writing to express opinions about the struggle against prejudice and oppression in our society. A short lesson plan on the Harlem Renaissance introduces learners to the most...
Curated OER
New York on the Pacific Coast
Students explore the interaction and consequences of contact among different ethnic groups. Students examine a timeline and the important historical
events in American History. They discuss immigration and migration.
Curated OER
A New Birth of Freedom: Black Soldiers in the Union Army
Students investigate the history of civil rights by viewing historical photographs. In this U.S. history lesson, students discuss why Black Soldiers fought for their rights by joining the Union Army in the 1800's. Students complete a...
Curated OER
Looking at the Civil War through the lens of local history." Teaching
Students research life in Plymouth during the Civil War. Using the internet and other resources, students examine the historical effects of the Civil War. In groups, they publish a newspaper explaining the events of the day.
Curated OER
In the Courts
High schoolers explore desegregation in the courts. In this civil rights activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on Supreme Court cases Brown v. Board of Education and Plessy v. Ferguson. High schoolers examine...
Curated OER
Promoting Diversity in Elementary School Curricula
Students discover the roles played by various racial, ethnic and religious groups in the development of American society. They explore the concept of racial and cultural diversity and global community, as these are joined by economic,...
Curated OER
Constitutional Resources
Students survey information on the Constitution. In these history lessons, students explore the founding principle's of the United States.
Curated OER
Triangular Trade Route
Eighth graders explore The Middle Passage and the Triangular Trade Route. They read their text to explore the treatment of African slaves and their route to America. After observing maps and pictures of slave ships, 8th graders share...
Smithsonian Institution
Comparing Confederate and Union Soldiers
The Civil War, a war that divided a nation. Comparing and contrasting the Confederate and Union soldiers is not always an easy task, but the eighth of 15 resources makes it easy to teach the concepts. Exercises include watching videos in...
Curated OER
A Christmas Celebration in the Black Culture
How much does your class know about Kwanzaa? Using the Internet, pupils practice using the Internet to find information. They then compare and contrast the similarities and differences between Kwanzaa and Christmas.
Curated OER
Create Your Own Classroom Olympic Games
Students create their own version of the Olympic Games. They compete in the games of their choice and keep score.
Curated OER
We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution
Robert Coles’ The Story of Ruby Bridges forms the basis of this powerful cross-curricular study of civic education and civic responsibility. Class members consider how the book presents authority, responsibility, justice, and privacy.....
Curated OER
The Underground Railroad
First graders read a book about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. For this underground railroad lesson, 1st graders learn songs and code words that the slaves used to communicate with one another. Students discuss how all...
Curated OER
Love To Langston
Learners complete pre reading, writing, during reading, and interdisciplinary activities for the book Love To Langston. In this reading lesson plan, students complete journal entries, go over vocabulary, answer short answer questions,...
Curated OER
Gwendolyn Brooks
Young scholars write a poem. In this writing lesson, students learn about Gwendolyn Brooks, a famous poet. Young scholars discuss shape poetry and how it is written. Students choose an object from nature and write their own shape poem.
Curated OER
Angelina and Sarah Grimke: Sisters of Social Reform
Students read about Angelina and Sarah Grimke and answer comprehension questions about them. In this women of social reform lesson plan, students read about women who helped to abolish slavery, discuss having goals and ambitions, and...
Curated OER
C¿¿sar Ch¿¿vez, Organizes the Farm Workers Association - Act I, Scene I "The House Meeting"
Eleventh graders analyze the development of federal civil and voting rights for minority groups. In groups, they discuss how Cesar Chavez organized the farm workers and the techniques he used when protesting. They define and practice...
Curated OER
Working Watermelon
You're going to wish you had a watermelon for this activity! Class members read about watermelons and make a salad in class to sample. They also perform estimates, measurements and calculations on a watermelon. They predict what...
Curated OER
The Roman Calendar: The Fabric of Our Time
Fourth graders explore the Roman origins and evolution of our calendar.
Other
National Education Association: Black History Month Lessons & Resources
Wide selection of lesson plans, activities, quizzes, resources, worksheets, and videos covering a variety of subjects and grade levels help to explain African-American culture and history.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Black History Month
A collection of six lessons for Grades 5 and up for Black History Month. The lesson plans explore the use of nonviolence in history, particularly with respect to the civil rights movement and African American history.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Lesson Plan: Black Wings: American Pioneer Aviators
With this resource, teachers can select the most appropriate academic level and download a lesson plan that contains images, Word documents and PDF resources for teaching about the history of black Americans in aviation. Excellent...
Other
Maryland Public Schools: Maggie L. Walker History Lesson Plan [Pdf]
With this lesson plan, students will learn about the life of African American teacher and entrepreneur Maggie L. Walker, the woman to own a bank in the United States. This document includes teacher resources, student resources and...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: The Art and Life of William H. Johnson
With this leasson plan, students will learn about prominent African American artist William H. Johnson and his influence both on the history of art and black American culture. Select a link for the desired grade level version of this...