Menu
Black History Month is an opportunity to highlight the lives of African American leaders, thinkers, and innovators in U.S. history. To help your students celebrate the rich cultural heritage, triumphs, and adversities indelible in our country’s history, we’ve compiled a selection of teaching and learning materials adapted to fit multiple grade levels.
Our biographies give students an informative glimpse into the life of a black history hero—exploring the social and historical context behind their accomplishments and the impact they continue to have on our lives today.
Information sourced from Britannica School. Not a subscriber? Contact us to learn more.Â
(1924–2005). The first Black woman ever elected to Congress, Shirley Chisholm served her native district of Brooklyn, New York, in the House of Representatives from 1969 until 1982.
(1864?–1943). American agricultural chemist George Washington Carver helped to modernize the agricultural economy of the South and helped liberate the South from its dependency on cotton.
(1892–1926). U.S. aviator Bessie Coleman became the first African American woman—as well as the first woman of Native American descent—to earn a license to fly an airplane.
(1918–2020). During her long career working for the U.S. space program, American mathematician Katherine Johnson calculated and analyzed the flight paths of many spacecraft.Â
(1856–1915). American educator Booker T. Washington was the first president of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. His mission was to provide practical training for African Americans.
(1862–1931). African American journalist and civil rights advocate Ida B. Wells-Barnett led an antilynching crusade in the United States in the 1890s by using newspapers and lectures.
Shirley Chisholm; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. George Washington Carver; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Bessie Coleman; NASA.
Katherine Johnson; NASA Booker T. Washington; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Ida B. Wells-Barnett; National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.
Subjects: African American History Month, Social Studies - History, U.S. History Grades 5 - 8th
Subjects: African American History Month, Social Studies - History, U.S. History Grades 5 - 8th
In this interactive lesson, students will learn about the historical background of the Civil Rights Movement in America and several brave individuals and groups who stood up against racial segregation during the 1950s and 1960s.
Through media, text, and images, discuss the following questions: How did civil rights leaders and activists work to end segregation? What were they protesting? And did their protests bring about change?
Information sourced from Expedition: Learn!. Not a subscriber? Contact us to learn more.Â
Through media, text, and images, discuss the following questions: How did civil rights leaders and activists work to end segregation? What were they protesting? And did their protests bring about change?
Information sourced from Expedition: Learn!. Not a subscriber? Contact us to learn more.Â
LeBron James has now scored more points than any National Basketball Association player in history. He passed fellow Los Angeles Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career 38,387 points during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 7, 2023. So, what do the top 2 scorers have—and don’t have—in common?
© Jerry Coli/Dreamstime.com
© Dgareri/Dreamstime.com
Have students use this tool to help them organize their thinking! Discuss similarities and differences between the two basketball greats using the compare and contrast methodology—early life, championships won, honors and awards obtained, and other data put side by side.
Explore these articles in Britannica School that provide students with a glance at African American History.
Information sourced from Britannica School. Not a subscriber? Contact us to learn more.Â
Carla Cioffi/NASA
Pete Souza—Official White House Photo
From politicians to astronauts, these modern-day heroes have already made their mark on history. Easily explore curated collections of Britannica School articles and multimedia featuring the following and many more.Â
Information sourced from Britannica School. Not a subscriber? Contact us to learn more.Â
44th President of the U.S.
Duchess of Sussex
Comedian, Actor, and Singer
Professional Tennis Player
Rapper and Entrepreneur
Physician and Astronaut
Barack Obama; Pete Souza—Official White House Photo. Meghan Markle; Chris Jackson/Getty Images. Eddie Murphy; Frazer Harrison/Getty Images. Serena Williams; Scott Barbour/Getty Images. Jay-Z; PRNewsFoto/VH1/AP Images. Mae Jemison; NASA.
Barack Obama; Pete Souza—Official White House Photo. Serena Williams; Scott Barbour/Getty Images. Jay-Z; PRNewsFoto/VH1/AP Images. Mae Jemison; NASA.
Carter G. Woodson; Hulton Archive/Getty Images. Great Migration; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Segregation; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Jim Crow Laws; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. March on Washington; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Underground Railroad; Photos.com/Getty Images. Negro League Baseball; UPI/Bettmann Archive. Martin Luther King, Jr.; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
At Britannica Education, our purpose is to empower educators to create engaging and meaningful learning experiences that ignite curiosity. We believe every student has the ability to learn and grow. We are committed to supporting educators in their efforts to help learners reach their full potential. Read more â–¸
View the available lessons for elementary and middle school science and social studies
Choose between 4 reading levels to meet the needs of every learner
Each Expedition: Learn! Lesson begins with a video to spark students’ interest in the topic
Ignite the spark of curiosity and accelerate learning
For Elementary or High School reading levels, please contact us.
