C.L.A.S.S. Resources for Teachers

Black History Month

    by Michele Luck

At the secondary level, addressing holidays or themes, such as Black History Month, can be a great challenge.  Most middle and high school Social Studies teachers are tasked with covering centuries of history, requiring strict mapping of lesson and unit plans to make sure all topics are covered by the end of the year (not to mention for state testing), and that is usually done in chronological order from the start of time to modern day. As such, it is difficult to have a lesson mapping to the Black History Month timeframe.  Instead, we must always be conscious of weaving such lessons into world history.  Planning activites throughout the year that address more than one topic dealing with ideas of power and economics is a good start.

One of the activities I use in my class is the "Columbian Exchange Trade Route Activity." Students “travel” from Europe to Africa to the Americas, and in each stop, they draw cards detailing the goods they would collect at that location for trade elsewhere.  At the African stop, slaves are one of those products collected.  This always brings incredible discussion by students, as we cover the economics of slavery, starting at that earliest stage in America. 

The activity, followed by selected clips from Amistad, can reinforce the impact of the Middle Passage and the resulting destruction of African civilizations.

While a very controversial topic to discuss, it helps to trace the institution of slavery in America, and helps to show the economics of the situation that played a significant role in American history for centuries after.  More importantly, this activity can be used to address current economic issues that still divide Americans, based solely on race and the struggle to end that difference in our modern world.

It is vitally important that our students see the diversity in our world and the appreciation for that diversity in their studies, especially in their Social Studies classes.  More importantly, students should learn from these lessons the history precipitating the need for such months in our teaching calendars. 

To that end, teaching with quality resources can help to bridge the gap.  Instead of looking at the works or accomplishments of one (or a few) significant people in history, teach your students to address how ideas of superiority have permeated the “civilized” world from the very start of civilization and continue to plague our world today.  Look at current events, in conjunction with historical ones, and identify the modern trends or contributions of all minorities, fulfilling the dream of the man that spoke on the behalf of Black America four decades ago. 

And when asked about how you are celebrating Black History Month in your Social Studies classroom, do not say, "This is a lesson which fits into 'Black History Month'." Instead say, "This is a lesson that fits into the history of our world. A world that has always been, and most likely always will be, a bit skewed in favor of those with the most power currently at hand." 

Downloadable products from Michele Luck's TpT store: 

 90 Page Activity Set
Includes everything you need to allow your students to learn about or investigate Important Americans fron every time period, genre and topic area. 

 Free resource: A set of 8 task cards.
These guide your students in extending themes from significant quotes of African-American leaders