Use these ideas to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the myriad achievements of Black Americans in your classroom during Black History Month and throughout the year.
Decorated Doors of Black Excellence
Here are some of our favorite bulletin boards, classroom doors, art projects, writing prompts, and more for Black History Month. Use these ideas to celebrate the myriad achievements of Black Americans in your classroom during Black History Month and throughout the year.
1. Turn your classroom doors into inspirational murals
Everyone can use inspiration. Helping your students to see they have tremendous power within themselves is an excellent idea for your door. Every day students will be reminded of their unlimited ability.
2. Add Some Buzzword Displays
Courage and belief have been at the center of people who have changed the world. A buzzword display can help students connect with those who came before them.
3. Ask students: What's your dream?
There is no future without a dream. Dreams and aspirations keep every human being moving forward. Challenge your students and ask them, "What's your dream?"
4. Theme from the movie "Hidden Figures."
This movie has been an inspiration to women and black women. At a time when men dominated technology, three women helped to solve the mathematic issues during the Space Race.
5. Ruby Bridges
At the age of six, Ruby Bridges became the face of civil rights as she helped integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. She faced hatred with courage most adults do not have.
6. Sign Language
Image:The Goddard School North Brunswick
7. Celebrating black women
Black women have always stood on the mountains of greatness and have given inspiration to their people.
Image: Akron Public Schools
8. Celebrating black inventors
Where would the world be without inventors?
Image: Akron Public Schools
9. Teach kindness
Teaching kindness can be a simple lesson with far-reaching effects.
10. Underground railroad
The metaphor of the railroad (that which we can travel by and leave) led many enslaved people to freedom. The journey was not easy, and many enslaved people wanted to turn back. Having conductors like Harriet Tubman kept people's eyes on the North Star and a land of freedom.
Image: Akron Public Schools
11. Collage of historical figures under the umbrella of magnificent black hair!
This door is unique as the teacher has all these influential figures housed under an afro (a symbol of power and strength).
Image: Good Morning America
12. Promote Higher Education through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
There is a lot of pride in those who attend HBCUs. These schools have beautiful traditions and histories. Promoting HBCUs to students helps to keep them open and gives students unique opportunities in their educational experiences.
What can I do to decorate my door to celebrate Black History Month?
Your imagination only limits your classroom door decoration. Understandably, decorating is challenging, if manageable, for many teachers. One of the easiest ways to decorate your door is to place several African Americans of influence on it with a little-known fact about them besides their picture.
Another idea for door décor is to research little-known people who have made subtle contributions. An example would be Stacy Abrams. She is an African American woman who ran for governor of Georgia in 2020 and 2022. Although Ms. Abrams did not become governor, she did mobilize African Americans to vote in record numbers that helped to flip the state of Georgia from a Republican state to a Democrat state. Her influence will be felt for years to come as the importance of voting affected the Georgia Senate race.
There have been people throughout history, in various parts of the world, that have left their mark. Your door could say Germans of African Descent (ancestry) or great Afro-Cubans such as Javier Sotomayor (world recorder in the high jump and the only man ever to clear 8 feet.)
Themes such as science, math, literature, or social justice make tremendous topics. What is the primary subject of your class? How can you incorporate unique black achievements related to your lessons?
Brief History of Celebrating African American Achievement
BHM began as a weekly celebration in the second week of February 1915. The birthdays of Fredrick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln coincided with this week and were known as Negro History Week. By the 1960s, the recognition of black culture grew thanks to the Civil Rights Movement and the progressive thinking of college campuses across America.
President Gerald Ford officially acknowledged BHM in 1976, and the entire month of February celebrates black achievement. Many people who've helped pave the way for black acknowledgement include Ruby Bridges, Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Katherine Johnson, Rosa Parks, and Barack Obama. These brave people executed their visions in industry, politics, science, and philosophy.
The chosen theme for BHM 2023 is "Black Resistance ." This topic will explore how African Americans resisted historical and ongoing oppression, racial terrorism, and lynching. Although the history of African achievement has decades of acknowledgement, extreme attitudes still resist the world's contributions from various cultures.
BHM Around the World
Many countries have mirrored the US in acknowledging the history and influencing people of African descent. The countries that have dedicated time to acknowledge black people are Canada, the UK, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Australia. The land "down below" honors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with "Blak" History. The dropping of the letter "c" commemorates the Aboriginal language.
Canada celebrates Black History Month in February in uniformity with its US neighbor. The UK dedicates the month of October to Black History. October coincides with the beginning of school, giving black children a sense of pride at the start of their school year.
Latin America also celebrates black history and culture. There is no dedicated month but specific days that recognize the history of blacks in Latin America. In Panama, there is Dia de la Etnia Negra (Black Ethnic Day), with the most important day being May 31. In Costa Rica, the people honor Black and Afro-Costa Rican Culture Day, and Peru observes Afro-Peruvian Culture Day throughout June.
Finally, in Brazil, there is Black Awareness Day. The day commemorates Zumbi dos Palmares, an Afro-Brazilian liberator from the late 1600s.
Black History Month at TeacherVision
We hope these ideas have helped to spark your ideas in creating beautiful doors, bulletin boards, and activities for your students.
Check out our Black History Month Resource Hub for more Creative Ideas, Classroom Activities, Bulletin Board Ideas, and Printables.
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Happy Black History Month!
Sources
https://blackgirlnerds.com/black-history-celebrations-around-the-world/
https://myamericanmeltingpot.com/2021/02/16/where-black-history-month-celebrated-abroad/
Introduction
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights on various topics. While I don't have personal experiences or emotions, I can provide factual information and answer questions based on available sources. In this case, I can provide information related to the concepts mentioned in the article about celebrating Black History Month and the achievements of Black Americans.
Celebrating Black History Month in the Classroom
This article discusses various ideas for celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the achievements of Black Americans in the classroom during Black History Month. Here are some key concepts mentioned in the article and additional information related to each concept:
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Decorated Doors of Black Excellence: The article suggests turning classroom doors into inspirational murals to remind students of their unlimited ability This can be a creative way to celebrate Black excellence and inspire students.
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Buzzword Displays: The article mentions using buzzword displays to help students connect with the courage and belief of those who have changed the world This can be a way to highlight the achievements and contributions of Black Americans throughout history.
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Asking Students About Their Dreams: The article suggests asking students about their dreams to emphasize the importance of aspirations and moving forward . This can encourage students to think about their goals and aspirations, while also recognizing the dreams of Black Americans who have made significant contributions.
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Theme from the Movie "Hidden Figures": The article mentions the movie "Hidden Figures" as an inspiration for women and Black women in particular This movie highlights the contributions of three African American women mathematicians who played a crucial role in the Space Race.
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Ruby Bridges: The article mentions Ruby Bridges, who at the age of six became the face of civil rights as she helped integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans Her courage and resilience can be celebrated as part of Black History Month.
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Sign Language: The article includes an image of a classroom celebrating Black women and their inspiration to their people This can be a way to recognize the achievements and contributions of Black women throughout history.
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Celebrating Black Inventors: The article mentions the importance of celebrating Black inventors and their contributions to the world This can be an opportunity to highlight the achievements of inventors such as George Washington Carver, Garrett Morgan, and Madam C.J. Walker, among others.
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Teaching Kindness: The article suggests teaching kindness as a simple lesson with far-reaching effects This can be a way to emphasize the importance of empathy, understanding, and respect for others, including the contributions of Black Americans.
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Underground Railroad: The article mentions the metaphor of the Underground Railroad and the role of conductors like Harriet Tubman in leading enslaved people to freedom This can be an opportunity to teach about the history of slavery, the Underground Railroad, and the resilience of those who fought for freedom.
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Collage of Historical Figures: The article includes an image of a door decorated with a collage of historical figures under the umbrella of magnificent Black hair [[11]]. This can be a creative way to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history.
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Promoting Higher Education through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): The article suggests promoting HBCUs to students as a way to keep them open and provide unique educational opportunities [[12]]. This can be an opportunity to educate students about the history and significance of HBCUs in the United States.
Brief History of Celebrating African American Achievement
The article briefly mentions the history of Black History Month (BHM). It originated as a weekly celebration in the second week of February 1915, coinciding with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln [[13]]. By the 1960s, the recognition of Black culture grew, thanks to the Civil Rights Movement and progressive thinking on college campuses. President Gerald Ford officially acknowledged BHM in 1976, and the entire month of February has since been dedicated to celebrating Black achievement [[13]].
BHM Around the World
The article also mentions that many countries, including Canada, the UK, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Australia, and countries in Latin America, have dedicated time to acknowledge the history and influence of people of African descent [[14]]. For example, Canada celebrates Black History Month in February, similar to the US. The UK dedicates October to Black History, coinciding with the beginning of the school year. Latin American countries have specific days or months to recognize the history and culture of Black communities, such as Dia de la Etnia Negra in Panama and Afro-Peruvian Culture Day in Peru [[14]].
Conclusion
In conclusion, celebrating Black History Month in the classroom provides an opportunity to educate students about the achievements and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. By incorporating various ideas, such as decorated doors, buzzword displays, and teaching kindness, educators can create an inclusive and inspiring learning environment. Additionally, understanding the history and global recognition of Black History Month can help foster a broader appreciation for the contributions of people of African descent worldwide.
