African-American History Lesson Plans Resources
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LESSON PLANS
Visualizing Jazz Scenes of the Harlem Renaissance
Students read and respond to literary selections that either portray the Harlem jazz scene or were written during the…SubjectsReading and LiteratureLiteratureAfrican-American History -
LESSON PLANS
Billie Holiday's Song "Strange Fruit"
This comprehensive lesson uses Billy Holiday's song "Strange Fruit" as a discussion point for the history of lynching in…SubjectsReading and LiteraturePoetryAfrican-American History -
LESSON PLANS
Jazz and Math: Improvisation Permutations
In this lesson students explore how many different rhythmic combinations can be improvised in a jazz/blues piece of…SubjectsSocial Studies and HistoryAfrican-American HistoryMusic -
LESSON PLANS
The Struggle Against Segregation
Students learn about the history of segregation in the United States by reading about the Little Rock Nine, a courageous…SubjectsSocial Studies and HistoryAfrican-American HistorySegregation -
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Interactive Timeline
Students will explore ragtime music and gain an understanding of its development in relation to jazz. They will also…SubjectsLanguage Arts and WritingTwentieth CenturyMusic -
LESSON PLANS
The Underground Railroad
Students take a "cyber-journey" through the Underground Railroad: the path to freedom for slaves in the 1850s. This is…SubjectsSocial Studies and HistoryAfrican-American History -
REFERENCE
Influencing Others in Our World
Students will study the lives of individuals, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks, who have positively…SubjectsSocial Studies and HistoryAmerican History/U.S. HistoryAfrican-American History -
REFERENCE
Jackie Robinson and Civil Rights
Students think critically about the Civil Rights movement and its key players as they explore a biographical site about…SubjectsSocial Studies and HistoryAfrican-American HistoryCivil Rights -
LESSON PLANS
African-American Gospel Music
Introduce Gospel music while explaining lyrical meaning and cultural values. This is an excellent music lesson to use…SubjectsSocial Studies and HistoryAfrican-American HistoryMusic Appreciation -
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Hour of Code: Code a Slideshow for Black History Month!
Take Black History Month projects to new heights with this coding project This Hour of Code lesson from Vidcode will…Subjects:Social Studies and HistoryAfrican-American History -
WORKSHEETS
Civil Rights Movement Playlist
Use this mini-unit to expose students to an overview of the civil rights movement, and familiarize them with Martin…Subjects:Social Studies and HistoryLanguage Arts and WritingAfrican-American History -
LESSON PLANS
We Shall Overcome Lesson Plan: We Are the Freedom Riders
Study the civil rights movement in America through music and literature. In this lesson, students will read We Shall…Subjects:Reading and LiteratureAfrican-American HistoryMusic and Songs -
REFERENCE
Martin Luther King Jr, Civil Rights Leader
Deliver a lesson plan that reviews Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's life, and use a pictorial depiction of his life. This is…SubjectsReading and LiteratureLiterary BiographiesAfrican-American History -
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Describing Drum Beats in Native American Music
Work with students to perform a Native American song and dance, Owl Dance. Allow them to describe and analyze the drum…SubjectsSocial Studies and HistoryAfrican-American HistorySlavery in United States -
LESSON PLANS
Readers Theater Script: The Drinking Gourd
This Readers Theater script for The Drinking Gourd, by F. N. Monjo, deals with Tommy discovering runaway slaves hidden…Subjects:Reading and LiteratureHistorical FictionAfrican-American History -
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Jim Crow
Define segregation and explain what "Jim Crow" laws did.Subjects:Social Studies and HistoryAfrican-American HistoryCivil Rights -
REFERENCE
Learning through The Duke
Students will learn about the important contributions made by Duke Ellington to the field of jazz, as well as some of…SubjectsSocial Studies and HistoryAfrican-American HistoryMusicians -
LESSON PLANS
African Storytellers
Students will use the Internet to find out more about griots, or African storytellers. Their work will culminate in…SubjectsReading and LiteratureStorytellingAfrican-American History -
WORKSHEETS
Teaching Guide to Marching for Freedom
This comprehensive teacher's guide to Marching for Freedom: Walk Together, Children, and Don't You Grow Weary includes…Subjects:Social Studies and HistoryAfrican-American HistoryEquality Struggles -
LESSON PLANS
Black Lives Matter E-Book: A Movement for Racial Justice
Black History Month is not just a great opportunity to teach students about the important figures from history who have…Subjects:African-American HistoryCivil Rights -
REFERENCE
Martin Luther King, Jr. Receives the Nobel Peace Prize Lesson
Present this lesson plan to teach students about when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize. This…SubjectsCivil RightsHuman RightsGovernment and Civics -
REFERENCE
A Jazz Talk Show
Students will explore the lives of various jazz musicians, studying the social and historical events current in the…SubjectsSocial Studies and HistoryAfrican-American HistoryMusicians -
REFERENCE
African-American Heroes
Students visit websites to learn about important African Americans and the honor of being featured on U.S. postage…SubjectsReading and LiteratureLiterary BiographiesAfrican-American History