These People Should Be Included in Your Black History Month Lessons (Printables)

As part of our Black History Month efforts, we've worked to include individuals who often don't get the attention they deserve. 

Unspoken: A Story from the Underground Railroad

Our literature unit will make a nice addition to your Black History Month curriculum.

This is a 13 page literature unit for the book "Unspoken: A Story of the Underground Railroad" by Henry Cole. It includes essay questions on prediction, interpretation, and connection. It also includes a character bubble activity, a creative writing exercise with vocabulary words, and a "Thank You Letter" activity. It also includes bonus Bible verses related to the subject.

Book summary: A young girl's courage is tested in this haunting, wordless story. When a farm girl discovers a runaway slave hiding in the barn, she is at once startled and frightened. But the stranger's fearful eyes weigh upon her conscience, and she must make a difficult choice. Will she have the courage to help him? Unspoken gifts of humanity unite the girl and the runaway as they each face a journey: one following the North Star, the other following her heart. Henry Cole's unusual and original rendering of the Underground Railroad speaks directly to our deepest sense of compassion.

You can order the literature unit through our Teachers Pay Teachers store by clicking here.

You can order the book Unspoken: A Story of the Underground Railroad on Amazon by clicking here.

Black History Month

Are you looking to grow your Black History Library collection? We highly recommend these books! 

Use the links below to find some Amazon deals!

From Top to Bottom, Left to Right:

 1.  I Love My Hair by Natasha Trepley
2.  Aunt Flossie's Hats (and Crab Cakes Later) by Elizabeth Howard
3.  Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
4.  Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama
5.  A Picture Book of Rosa Parks by David Adler
6.  If a Bus Could Talk by Faith Ringgold
7.  Garrett Morgan, Inventor by Garnet Jackson
8.  A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass by David Adler
9.  Ellen’s Broom by Kelly Starling Lyons
10.  What Color is My World? By Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
11.  When Grandmama Sings by Margaree King Mitchell
12.  The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
13.  Who Was Harriet Tubman? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
14.  George Washington Carver: Teacher, Scientist, and Inventor by Lori Mortensen
15.  Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport
16.  Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull
17.  He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands by Kadir Nelson
18.  Desmond and the Very Mean Word by Desmond Tutu

Read 'Chasing Space,' the inspiring true story of NASA astronaut Leland Melvin!

There is a fantastic new "young readers" book on store shelves today about Leland Melvin, football star and NASA astronaut. Chasing Space is Melvin's autobiography, and a "young readers" version of the book is out today as well! It is suitable for grades 3 through 7! Even better, this kid's version includes STEAM experiments for readers to try out! It is now available for purchase from Amazon!

Here is a summary of the book, from the publisher.

In this inspiring memoir, adapted from the simultaneous version for adults, young readers will get to learn about Leland Melvin’s remarkable life story, from being drafted by the Detroit Lions to bravely orbiting our planet in the International Space Station to writing songs with will.i.am, working with Serena Williams, and starring in top-rated television shows like The Dog Whisperer, Top Chef, and Child Genius.
 
When the former Detroit Lion’s football career was cut short by an injury, Leland didn’t waste time mourning his broken dream. Instead, he found a new one—something that was completely out of this world.
 
He joined NASA, braved an injury that nearly left him permanently deaf, and still managed to muster the courage and resolve to travel to space on the shuttle Atlantis to help build the International Space Station. Leland’s problem-solving methods and can-do attitude turned his impossible-seeming dream into reality.
 
Leland’s story introduces readers to the fascinating creative and scientific challenges he had to deal with in space and will encourage the next generation of can-do scientists to dare to follow their dreams. With do-it-yourself experiments in the back of the book and sixteen pages of striking full-color photographs, this is the perfect book for young readers looking to be inspired.

You can click here to order Chasing Space from Amazon!

Watch our Black History Month "Civil Rights Heroes" video!

 

We've put together a video in honor of Black History Month, highlighting six leaders of the civil rights movement. It's a short primer that's great for classrooms. Enjoy! 

A Fabulous Foldable for the Book Amazing Grace!

Here's a great way to create this foldable of the classic children's book Amazing Grace. You can click here to order Amazing Grace from Amazon. 

Inside the Foldable have your class write the following:
1. PLOT: Where did the story take place?
What happened ( beginning, middle, and end)?
2. CHARACTERS: Who were the main characters?
Who was your favorite character and why?...
3. YOUR OPINION: Did you like this book? Explain.
What was your favorite part and why?
 

 There are five additional books in the "Grace" series from Mary Hoffman (click each title to order from Amazon): Princess Grace, Boundless Grace, Starring Grace, Encore Grace, and Bravo Grace.

 

Book Recommendations for Black History Month!

Are you looking to grow your Black History Library collection? We highly recommend these books! 

Use the links below to find some Amazon deals!

From Top to Bottom, Left to Right:

 1.  I Love My Hair by Natasha Trepley
2.  Aunt Flossie's Hats (and Crab Cakes Later) by Elizabeth Howard
3.  Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
4.  Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama
5.  A Picture Book of Rosa Parks by David Adler
6.  If a Bus Could Talk by Faith Ringgold
7.  Garrett Morgan, Inventor by Garnet Jackson
8.  A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass by David Adler
9.  Ellen’s Broom by Kelly Starling Lyons
10.  What Color is My World? By Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
11.  When Grandmama Sings by Margaree King Mitchell
12.  The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
13.  Who Was Harriet Tubman? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
14.  George Washington Carver: Teacher, Scientist, and Inventor by Lori Mortensen
15.  Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport
16.  Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull
17.  He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands by Kadir Nelson
18.  Desmond and the Very Mean Word by Desmond Tutu



Our newest literature unit is perfect for Black History Month!

Our latest literature unit will make a nice addition to your Black History Month curriculum.

This is a 13 page literature unit for the book "Unspoken: A Story of the Underground Railroad" by Henry Cole. It includes essay questions on prediction, interpretation, and connection. It also includes a character bubble activity, a creative writing exercise with vocabulary words, and a "Thank You Letter" activity. It also includes bonus Bible verses related to the subject.

Book summary: A young girl's courage is tested in this haunting, wordless story. When a farm girl discovers a runaway slave hiding in the barn, she is at once startled and frightened. But the stranger's fearful eyes weigh upon her conscience, and she must make a difficult choice. Will she have the courage to help him? Unspoken gifts of humanity unite the girl and the runaway as they each face a journey: one following the North Star, the other following her heart. Henry Cole's unusual and original rendering of the Underground Railroad speaks directly to our deepest sense of compassion.

You can order the literature unit through our Teachers Pay Teachers store by clicking here.

You can order the book Unspoken: A Story of the Underground Railroad on Amazon by clicking here.