Black History Month Activities for Literacy Centers
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February is here!
But don’t let the number of days fool you…
Yes, it’s the shortest month of the year, but it’s BURSTING with holidays!
Groundhogs Day. Valentine’s Day. President’s Day. Just to name a few…
These holidays bring opportunities to reignite excitement and engagement in your literacy centers by adding a touch of thematic flair that both you and your students will love.
Incorporating Black History Month activities into your literacy blocks isn’t just about covering your literacy standards—it’s about celebration and reflection. It’s a chance to honor the voices, contributions, and resilience of Black individuals who have shaped our nation’s history. So, how can we make this meaningful and engaging for our students?
Why Incorporating Black History Month Activities into Literacy Centers Matters
Here’s the thing…
Incorporating Black History Month activities into your literacy centers and Daily 5 stations is so much MORE than just another “educational experience”.
It’s a chance to bring history to life - a lens through which students can explore the stories, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped our nation.
By celebrating Black History Month in your classroom, you’re providing students an opportunity to connect with diverse voices and perspectives, fostering empathy and building understanding. You’ll also help students build an appreciation for the rich diversity that makes up the fabric of American history.
Imagine the impact when a student discovers a story in history that inspires them or sees themselves reflected in.
These are the meaningful connections we can cultivate as we thoughtfully weave Black History Month into our literacy activities
Seven Black History Month Activities for Literacy Centers
But the standards!
But where am I going to find the time?
When it comes to adding a little thematic flair to our literacy centers—or really any part of the day—it’s all about finding that sweet spot. The activities should be meaningful and engaging for our students, but let’s be real: they also need to be flexible and not require hours of prep. After all, we’re busy, and our time is precious!
Here are 7 of my favorite (and super simple) ways to bring Black History Month activities into the classroom!
Set Up a Reading Corner with Books About Black History and Culture
Classroom libraries - I feel - are an underutilized resource when it comes to bringing thematic magic into elementary classrooms.
You can quickly create a special session in your classroom library featuring books about Black history and culture. Consider including biographies of influential historical people such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Frederick Douglass.
Give your students time to explore these books during independent reading time, as morning work, or as an early finisher activity.
Pro tip: Team up with your librarian to source books! They’ll save you time and find titles your students will absolutely love.
Create a Writing Center with Prompts Related to Black History and Culture
Writing centers or free writing time—whether as morning work or an early-finisher activity—gives students a chance to express themselves creatively while building important skills.
Consider incorporating writing prompts that highlight Black history. For example:
“Write a letter to a historical figure like Bessie Coleman. What questions would you ask?”
“Imagine you are a journalist during the Civil Rights Movement. What would your headline story be?”
Prompts like these not only teach valuable history but also spark creativity and help students build their writing fluency.
Create a Timeline of Important Events in Black History
Making history “visible” can go a long way in cultivating student understanding. One of my favorite ways to do this is by creating a historical timeline with my students.
This is the perfect opportunity for students to roll up their sleeves and dive into research! One of my favorite activities is having students research and build a timeline together, highlighting key moments in Black history.
You can easily bring this into your Work on Writing center, where students can write short descriptions of each event and then present them to the class. It’s even a great way to turn it into a collaborative project that the whole class can contribute to!H3: Display Posters and Visual Aids Related to Black History
Use Multimedia Resources to Supplement Lessons
Spark student engagement by truly bringing history to life! There’s a wealth of videos, podcasts, and online resources available that can add depth and excitement to any lesson. These resources not only make learning more interactive, but they also provide a great opportunity to discuss how to productively learn from different media sources.
Pro tip: Always take a moment to preview the material before sharing it with your class. It ensures everything aligns with your lesson and keeps you prepared for any unexpected surprises!
Encourage Students to Create Poems or Artwork
I absolutely love giving my students the chance to express what they’ve learned through art and poetry. Not only are they beautiful ways for students to get creative, but they also serve as powerful comprehension tools, offering an entry point for all learners to connect with the material.
So, how can we bring this to celebrate Black History Month? Here are a few ideas:
Poems inspired by the lives of historical figures.
Artwork depicting key historical events.
Host a Book Club or Literature Circle Focused on Black History
If you’ve been around here for a while, then you know my favorite thing about using the Daily 5 framework for my literacy block is that I can consistently get to all of my reading groups. (Not using the Daily 5 framework yet? CLICK HERE to order yourself a copy of the book and get started!).
Book clubs are a great way to bring Black History Month activities into the classroom. They create space for students to discuss meaningful themes, connect to real-world events, and strengthen their reading comprehension. For February, consider choosing historical fiction or nonfiction books that tie to significant events or influential people in Black history.
Celebrate Black History Month with Activities for Your Classroom
Incorporating Black History Month activities into your literacy centers is such a powerful way to engage your students, celebrate diversity, and deepen their understanding of history. I love setting up a themed reading corner, creating interactive writing prompts, or even showcasing student work to really bring the theme to life. These activities not only make your literacy centers more meaningful but also help create an inclusive space where every student can connect to the stories that shape our world.
Looking for easy, ready-to-use resources for your literacy centers this February? Check out my Black History Influential Men and Women Activities Bundle. These no-prep activities are perfect for helping students explore and celebrate Black history in your classroom.
Looking for ZERO prep, easy-to-use activities for your literacy centers during Black History Month? You’ll love all my historical figures including Black History Influential Men and Woman Activities Bundle.
Make Planning Your Daily 5 Literacy Centers a Breeze!
Seriously - using the Daily 5 framework during my literacy block has seriously streamlined my lesson planning.
I know, I can see the suspicious look you’re giving me, but it’s true!
Since the centers were the same each day, having activities I could easily rinse and repeat—like those in my Black History Month: Influential People Bundle—made prepping a breeze.
To make planning even easier, I created a simple, easy-to-use planning sheet to capture my ideas and streamline the lesson planning process