To honor and celebrate Black History Month, we have gathered fun products and engaging activities for your learner. Each activity will develop and activate their cognitive structures! The activities are created to honor Black historical figures of the past and showcase the brilliance of the future leaders in the present!
As we learn about historical and present day leaders in African-American history, it is important to make connections to our own lives. Have students take notes about the leaders and then make a venn diagram comparing their lives to the leaders and think about how we can be leaders in our community, as well! The Writing Prompts help students to reinforce comparative thinking for their cognitive structures.
Encourage students to study the biography and quotes of Black heroes and leaders honored during Black History Month. The quotes represent highlights from the contributions and work of various Black icons and figures. A great discussion question for students to respond to is, "how do the quotes summarize the work and life of the Black leader?"
Using the Black History Month Cards, students can have a deep discussion about why the historical figures responded in a certain manner to different situations. The students should also work to summarize the event, scenario, or historical figure in a few words by creating a caption. There are also strong extension questions with every historical figure.
Using the traditional Japanese art of creating using available materials, we honor both Japanese and Black creators. We read the poem "Origami" by Nikki Grimes, a brilliant Black poet, and then create our own origami piece using Heavy Construction Paper. The poem is about how to not be folded into what others want you to be. We then practice writing our own poem about being who we are meant to be as humans.