Celebrate Black History Month

As I mentioned in my Celebrate Cultural Heritage post, I want to teach my kidlets about the various cultures that surround us here in St. Louis.  Since Little Miss is biracial, it is only natural that we would Celebrate Black History Month!

The Celebrate Black History Month Printable above is a  5×7 that you can print by clicking the image or the title, a pdf will open in a new window.  If you’d prefer, I also made a Celebrate Black History Printable, without the word month on it.

Black History Month is celebrated in February nationwide, as well as internationally.  All over the nation, special events occur to commemorate and honor the achievements of black Americans throughout our history.  Of course, many Americans Celebrate Martin Luther King Day in January.  Rosa Parks Day is another national holiday that is observed on February 4th, during Black History Month, but isn’t as publicized.

Black History Month is widely utilized by schools and community centers to educate citizens about the amazing accomplishments of black Americans.  I, like many other parents, will also take an active role in teaching my kidlets about these notable people.  Teaching our youngsters about great achievements by our ancestors, of all races, helps teach them our contribution matters and helps prevent racism and indifference.

Of course, we’ll be learning about the contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr., Frederick Douglas, and Rosa Parks, but we’ll also be learning about black American’s who’s contributions are often not as widely celebrated.  Here’s a few we’ll be learning about…

• Crispus Attucks- the first American to die for the Revolutionary Cause. He was shot in the “Boston Massacre,”
• George Washington Carver- American scientist, educator, humanitarian, and former slave.
• Shirley Chisholm- the first African-American woman elected to the US Congress
• Dr. Charles Richard Drew- an American medical doctor and surgeon who started the idea of a blood bank. His revolutionary ideas changed the medical profession and have saved many, many lives.
• Matthew Henson- American explorer and co-discoverer of the North Pole
• Ida B. Wells- a fearless crusader, women’s rights advocate, journalist, and speaker
• Lewis Howard Latimer- responsible for the carbon filaments in light bulbs.
• Benjamin Carson- first surgeon to successfully separate conjoined twins, that were joined at the head, in which both twins survived.  He also developed the first intra-uterine procedure to relieve pressure on the brain of a hydrocephalic fetal twin
• Mae Jemison- the first African American woman to travel in space.

Be sure to print the I Have a Dream, Too journal printable from my Celebrate Martin Luther King Day post and the free Black History Month Matching Tiles.   Check out my Celebrate Cultural Heritage post for a list of other cultural heritage observances in the USA.

While your planning your lessons on Black History, consider these great resources!

Black History: Kids EditionBlack Pioneers of Science and InventionLittle Leaders: Bold Women in Black History100 African-Americans Who Shaped American History (100 Series)America’s Black Founders: Revolutionary Heroes & Early Leaders with 21 Activities (For Kids series)African American Legends for Little LearnersWho Was Harriet Tubman?Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.?Who Was Frederick Douglass?Mae Jemison (You Should Meet)Who Was George Washington Carver?Crispus Attucks: Black Leader of Colonial Patriots (Childhood of Famous Americans)Ida B. Wells: Let the Truth Be ToldWho Was Rosa Parks?

Want even more history resources?  Check out this Massive Guide to Homeschooling History!