Black History Month Resources for Educators

As we observe Black History Month, the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Department of Student Services and Equity has compiled resources for educators. Explore the following lesson plans, articles, historical documents and other resources, and consider how you can incorporate them into your work.

Celebrating Black History Month 2023

Reflecting Back

During Black History Month, we use our time to look back at the contributions of Black activists, artists and notable leaders. Below you can find some ideas for sharing different aspects of Black history, both nationwide and locally with your students.

• Have students learn about the impact of youth-led movements during the Civil Rights Movement. Review the resources in this lesson plan from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum around the Birmingham Children’s March. Important Note: The recommended portions of this lesson plan are included below.
  • Have students watch the 10-minute PBS video “Birmingham and the Children’s March.” Ask students to write a brief response to these questions about the video:
    • Why was the inclusion of young people in the Birmingham Campaign controversial?
    • What were some of the reasons provided by the interviewees for their joining the Children’s March?
    • What instructions did the young people receive as part of their training?
    • What happened to the children who participated in the march?
    • How did the Children’s March help the Civil Rights Movement?
  • Distribute the Justice Department telephone log from May 17, 1963. Explain that staff members of the Justice Department remained on duty after hours to receive incoming calls about civil rights demonstrations and incidents around the country. Have students take turns reading the first entry, with notes on the call from Joseph F. Dolan. Explain that Dolan served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General and was a key figure on Robert Kennedy’s staff at the Justice Department. Dolan was sent to Birmingham along with Assistant Attorney General Burke Marshall, head of the Civil Rights Division, to help mediate the racial conflict there as well as to provide first-hand reports on the situation. Discuss these questions with the class:
    • How serious a penalty were student-demonstrators facing in terms of the Birmingham School Board’s proposed disciplinary actions?
    • What was Dolan’s opinion about the plan? What meaning do you take from his opinion?
• Consider a Black history read-aloud from this list. Some recommended titles are “Stacey’s Extraordinary Words” by Stacey Abrams, ‘’The 1619 Project: Born on the Water” by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renee Watson and “Have You Thanked an Inventor Today?” by Patrice McLaurin.
• Consider a visit to the various Black landmarks and historical sites in the area. Take a look at this virtual searchable museum from the National Museum of African American History & Culture.
• Take a look at our Alexandria African American Hall of Fame. These Alexandrians focused on community impact by working with former presidents, breaking barriers, opening businesses and advocating for all students before ACPS was even integrated.

Making History

As our world continues to push for justice for all, Black history is being made every day. This month, we encourage teachers to think past the typical Black history curriculum and investigate the movements happening now. Below you can find some resources to support your classroom exploration of current Black history.

• Take time with your students to explore current Black history makers of all ages. Check out this list of current young Black activists. Hold a lesson comparing and contrasting their activism strategies or identify a problem that needs solving in your school community and brainstorm methods of activism to address it.
• Talk to the students about the continuation of the Black Lives Matter movement. Check out this link for an introductory lesson for secondary students and the third page of this document for some ideas on how to incorporate the 13 principles of the Black Lives Matter movement into elementary and early childhood classrooms.
• Black voting rights have historically been (and still are) under attack. Explore this timeline from CNN on the history of Black voting rights in this country and how laws are still being created to restrict voters. For teachers with students in grades 11-12, hold time during class to support students in registering to vote. Registrations can be submitted online and according to the City of Alexandria, “Any eligible U.S. citizen who will be 18 years old by the next general election are eligible to register.”

Culture & Joy

During Black History Month, there can tend to be a hyper focus on the struggle for justice within the Black community. This year, we want to include options for celebration and joy. As Toi Derricotte said, “Joy is an act of resistance.” Allowing students to see beauty, celebration and fun in their history further underscores the expansive humanity, art and talent within the Black community.

• Drop Me Off in Harlem: Two secondary lesson plans, done in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, share the impact of art that came from the Harlem Renaissance. In these lessons, students can explore the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on Black art and the power of community in creating a safe space to explore and celebrate your identity.
• Black Panther and Black Superheros: Have students examine the imagery of Black Panther and other Black superheros to explore the cause and effect of positive representation on the Black community. Consider having students examine the historical context and lasting impact surrounding the release of Black superhero content (Stan Lee’s creation of Black Panther in the 60s, the rise of blaxploitation in the 70s, Blade in the 90s and the Black Panther movies in the past five years).
• Got some sports fans in your classroom? Check out this Padlet resource on Earl Lloyd, an Alexandria native who was the first Black man to play in the National Basketball Association.