Black History

Racial Justice Coloring Page Downloads (Y, M)
The featured Black historical figures include Malcolm X, Ella Baker, Bayard Rustin, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Harriet Tubman. Two activity pages are provided for each individual featured (one for research and writing, and one for coloring/art).

Guide to Black History (T)
"In 1984, to support the growing demand for knowledge of African American history, Dr. Debra Newman Ham, with the help of several other colleagues, took on the responsibility of compiling a guide to black history records at the National Archives. With the publication of Black History: A Guide to Civilian Records in the National Archives, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) became recognized as one of the primary sources for African American historical documents. Here you will find an updated version, along with tools and other resources that can be used while conducting research relating to African American History at the National Archives."

Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site (Y,M,O,T)
Carter Godwin Woodson was an African-American historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. The website offers historical information about Carter Godwin Woodson for those who cannot visit in person.

The Story of Nicodemus (Y,M,O,T)
The first town established by African Americans after the Civil War. This is a feature website from The National Park Service.

Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site (Y,M,O,T)
Mary Jane McLeod Bethune was an American educator and civil rights leader best known for starting a school for African American students in Daytona Beach, Florida, and for being an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The website offers historical information about Mary McLeod Bethune for those who cannot visit in person.

Hampton National Historic Site (Y,M,O,T)
Hampton is the name of the georgian estate built in the early 1800's. The historic site there tells the story of the people, enslaved African Americans, indentured servants, industrial and agricultural workers, and owners, who worked there.

Central High School National Historic Site (Y,M,O,T)
Little Rock Central High School is recognized for the role it played in the desegregation of public schools in the United States. The website offers historical information about the park for those who cannot visit in person.

Boston African American National Historic Site (Y,M,O,T)
The African Meeting House was built in 1806 to house the first African Baptist Church of Boston. It was the first African American Baptist church created north of the Mason Dixon Line and is now the oldest surviving black church building in America. In 1863, it served as a recruitment post for the Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Regiment, which was the first official African American military regiment to fight for the Union in the Civil War. The website offers historical information about the church for those who cannot visit in person.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Power of Nonviolence (O)
"This lesson introduces students to the philosophy of nonviolence and the teachings of Mohandas K. Gandhi that influenced Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s views. After considering the political impact of this philosophy and viewing videos about each man, including Dr. King discussing Gandhi's influence, students explore its relevance to personal life and contemporary society."

Major Inventions by African-Americans (Y,M)
A list of other items inventions by African-Americans.

40 Unsung Heroes of Black History We Should All Learn About This Month (M,O,T)
February is Black History Month. While schools feature Black history this month, most students will only hear about the same handful of prominent figures: Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and perhaps a few others. Such a limited view ignores the countless historical achievements of many Black men and women who faced enslavement, violence, and prejudice on their roads to greatness. From early inventors, authors, and entrepreneurs to civil rights activists and politicians, the scope of Black history is far older and more significant than the March on Washington or "I Have a Dream." Read on to learn more about sadly forgotten figures in Black history.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute (Y,M,O,T)
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute has a wealth of resources to start any MLK lesson plans. The site offers encyclopedic information, primary sources, secondary sources, lesson plans, and online events (including documentaries).

Martin Luther King Jr. Photos (M,O,T)
These historical photo essays from Life.com document moments from MLK's life, as well as the Civil Rights Movement.

Black History Month Word Search Game (M,O,T)
From About.com. Find the words pertaining to African-American history and the civil rights movement.

Images of African Americans from the 19th Century (Y,M,O,T)
From NYPL Digital Library Digital library collections Schomburg

Black History Month / African American Section (Y,M)
From DLTK's Crafts for Kids

Black History Month (Y,M)
From Surfnetkids.com

African Americans Black History Month (Y,M,O,T)
Free Presentations in PowerPoint format. From Pete's Power Point Station.

African American History For Kids (Y,M,O,T)
From University of Illinois Extension

Puzzles for Kids - Black History Month (Y,M)
Crosswords, Jigsaw Puzzles and other Games. From About.com

African-American History Month (Y,M,O,T)
From Mrs. Mitchell's Virtual School

Black History Month Unit Resources (Y,M)
Civil Rights Movement, Harlem Renaissance, Folk Tales, Famous People, Kwanzaa, Games, More

George Washington Carver Coloring and Activity Book (Y,M)
From the Department of Agriculture with art work submissions by the National Park Service and the American Peanut Council.

Slaves and conductors of the Underground Railroad (Y,M,O,T)
Learn why and how slaves escaped from their owners using the underground railroad, and who ran the underground railroad. Lots of online resources and activities.

The National Center for the Study of Civil Rights and African-American Culture (Y,M,O,T)
The Centers focuses on documenting and preserving memorabilia from the civil rights period, Montgomery black history and the history of Alabama State University.

Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site (Y,M,O,T)
Maggie Lena Walker was an African American teacher and businesswoman. She was the first female bank president and the first woman to charter a bank in the United States. Walker also became an example for people with disabilities later in life when she became limited to a wheelchair. The website offers historical information about Maggie Lena Walker for those who cannot visit in person.

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park (Y,M,O,T)
The Birth Home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visitors are allowed only with a park ranger led tour. The tours are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The website offers historical information about Martin Luther King, Jr. for those who cannot visit in person.

Nicodemus National Historic Site (Y,M,O,T)
At the end of the Civil Was, African Americans left the south and settled in the Great Plains. Nicodemus is the oldest and only remaining all Black Town west of the Mississippi River. The website offers historical information about the town for those who cannot visit in person.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (Y,M,O,T)
Born into slavery, Frederick Douglass was a runaway slave, abolitionist, civil rights advocate, author and statesmen. Visitors to the site learn about Frederick Douglass' efforts to abolish slavery and his struggle for rights for all oppressed people.

Selma to Montgomery National Voting Rights Trail (Y,M,O,T)
Established by Congress in 1996 to commemorate the events, people, and route of the 1965 Voting Rights March in Alabama. The website offers historical information about the march for those who cannot visit in person.

Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site (Y,M,O,T)
On the campus of historic Tuskegee University. The site includes the George W. Carver Museum and The Oaks, home of Booker T. Washington.

Black Inventors A-Z (Y,M,O,T)
This is a A-Z list of popular Black inventors that we have more extensive information on: biographies, images, timelines, and other media.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (Y,M,O,T)
The website of the Civil Rights Museum includes a virtual tour of the museum as well as teacher resources.

Rosa Parks Library and Museum (M)
The only museum dedicated to the civil rights icon. Occasionally hosts virtual tours if you can't be there in person.

Sixteenth Street Baptist Church (M O)
On Sunday morning, September 15, 1963, the Ku Klux Klan bombed the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four girls. This murderous act shocked the nation and galvanized the civil rights movement.

Famous Black Inventors (Y,M,O,T)
Famous black inventors - a database list of African American patent holders and individual biographies of African American inventors.

Preschool Black History Theme (Y)
Early childhood education Black history activities and lesson plans for teachers of preschool children. Action rhymes, songs, art and crafts, games, skits. (Pre-K)

Teachers' Guide to Follow the Drinking Gourd (Y,T)

The African-American Mosaic (Y,M,O,T)
A Library of Congress Resource Guide for the Study of Black History & Culture

Did Quilts hold codes to the Underground Railroad? (Y,M)
From National Geographic.com

Black Scientists and Inventors (Y,M,O,T)
From Infoplease.com

George Washington Carver (Y,M,O,T)

The History of Black History at InfoPlease (Y,M,O,T)
History & timeline, special features, fun stuff, and other resources

Little Known Facts About Black History (Y,M,O,T)
Lots of biographies, a "Who Am I?" interactive quiz, teacher resources (created to accompany History Channel programming), and videos

The African-American Mosaic (O)
A Library of Congress Resource Guide for the Study of Black History and Culture; taken from an exhibit of the same name.

Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site (Y,M,O,T)
In the 1940's Tuskegee, Alabama became home to a "military experiment" to train America's first African-American military pilots. In time the "experiment" became known as the Tuskegee Experience and the participants as the Tuskegee Airmen. Come share their experience!

History.com: Black History (Y,M,O,T)

Culture and Change: Black History in America (Y,M,O,T)
Scholastic Teachers Activities in Black History

African-American History: Black History Month (Y,M)
From EnchantedLearning.com