Black History in the Primary Classroom

By
The Daily Alphabet

This post originally appeared on the blog The Daily Alphabet.

Hey guys and dolls, how’s it going?
 
February came quickly, and out of nowhere!
 
I feel like we barely got back to school, and poof!
 
There went January!
 
 
February is one of my favorite months, not only because
 
of Valentine’s Day, but also because of Black History Month!
 
I love to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds, and I want 
 
to discuss some of them with you today!
 
 
I like to begin with books that talk about how even though our skin
 
and hair might be different from others, we’re still the same!
 
Before we read books that focus on people 
 
like Harriet Tubman, Coretta Scott King, and others,
 
I like to read books that feature the perspective of children. 
 
I’ve found that they relate to it more easily!
 
 
During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles. During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles.
 
The Crayon Box that Talked is a great book that begins with a box
 
of crayons who do not like each other. 
 
By the end of the story, they realize that their diversity
 
is what makes that so great!
 
From there, we move on to our next book,
 
which just happens to be one of my faves!
 
 
 
During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles.
 
We extend our learning from the crayon box book,
 
and we read The Skin You Live In.
 
This book talks about how all shades of skin are wonderful,
 
from cinnamon spice skin, all the way to lemon tart bold skin.
 
I love how it then keeps going, about it’s not dumb skin,
 
or smart skin, or I’m lesser than you skin. 
 
It’s so important that our kiddos hear this message!
 
During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles.

During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles. During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles.

The Colors of Us follows Lena as decides to paint herself 
 
and people in her neighborhood. She thinks that all she has to do is 
 
pick the color brown, because brown is brown.
 
As they take a walk, Lena’s mother shows her that there
 
are many different shades of the color,
 
and that they are all perfect!
 
 

During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles. During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles.

I Love My Hair is all about self-acceptance.

I think that I love this book because it reminds me

of myself as a child! I HATED to have my hair done.

I kind of tolerated my mom doing my hair,

but my grandmother was RUTHLESS!!!

She didn’t care if it hurt; she just got it done!

It does bring back fond memories, though!

 

 

During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles. During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles.

After we talk about how we all look different on the outside,

and the shades of our skin are wonderful, we start to get

more into The Underground Railroad.

I love to introduce this movement by reading

Henry’s Freedom Box.

They can’t believe people used to own other people,

like a piece of clothing or toy.

They’re also very interested in the fact that Henry

mails himself to freedom!

This book begins with Henry as a child, and then

follows him through adulthood.

 

During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles. During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles.

Goin’ Someplace Special tells the story of ‘Tricia Ann,

a little girl growing up in the South during the 1950’s,

a time when segregation was legal and enforced.

She begs her grandmother to go on a trip to Someplace Special,

all by herself. With some reluctance, her grandmother agrees.

While traveling, ‘Tricia Ann is always reminded of where she can’t

go, where she can’t sit, and more.

Then she remembers what her grandmother told her,

to always walk with her head held high, because she is somebody!

And then she finally arrives at Someplace Special,

the library! I love this story, because the library

was always my favorite place to go as a child, and it still is.

 

During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles. During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles.

I’m not even sure when I ran across this book,

but once I read it, I knew that A Taste of Colored Water

had to have a place in my classroom library.

This books is slightly different, as it is from the perspective

of white children. It’s all Abbey Finch’s fault! Lulu and Jelly

just have to visit town, because they want to see the colored fountain!

They’re imagining all the flavors, cherry, lemon,

orange, apple — you name it!

Once they arrive in town, they happen upon a protest, marching singers,

police and their dogs, and firemen.

 

Alright, so those are some of my favorite read-clouds

to begin my black history unit.

Keep reading on for more information on how I teach black history.

 
During Black History Month, Angela loves to introduce topics by utilizing read alouds with her kindergarteners. Take a look at some of her favorite titles.
 
So, in my classroom, we begin learning about black history
 
by starting this KWL chart. 
 
It’s totally okay if it’s not completely full.
 
I’ve discovered that in Kindergarten, their knowledge can 
 
be somewhat limited. 
 
That makes the learning that much more fun!

 

Black History for the Primary Classroom is a great way to introduce primary students to the contributions of African-Americans in our world, and important times such as The Underground Railroad and The Civil Rights Movement. It is a great way to share with students that they are perfect and unique, no matter the color of their skin, or the texture of their hair. It's also a great way to teach about how important it is to stand up for what is right.
 
We talk about some important vocabulary, 
 
with primary friendly visuals.
 
It really helps them to understand the definition.
 
Black History for the Primary Classroom is a great way to introduce primary students to the contributions of African-Americans in our world, and important times such as The Underground Railroad and The Civil Rights Movement. It is a great way to share with students that they are perfect and unique, no matter the color of their skin, or the texture of their hair. It's also a great way to teach about how important it is to stand up for what is right.
 
We discuss what black history is,
 
and we talk about the people who fought for equality in their 
 
respective fields and areas.
 
Black History for the Primary Classroom is a great way to introduce primary students to the contributions of African-Americans in our world, and important times such as The Underground Railroad and The Civil Rights Movement. It is a great way to share with students that they are perfect and unique, no matter the color of their skin, or the texture of their hair. It's also a great way to teach about how important it is to stand up for what is right.
 
 
We talk about specific events that moved 
 
The Civil Rights Movement forward. 
Black History for the Primary Classroom is a great way to introduce primary students to the contributions of African-Americans in our world, and important times such as The Underground Railroad and The Civil Rights Movement. It is a great way to share with students that they are perfect and unique, no matter the color of their skin, or the texture of their hair. It's also a great way to teach about how important it is to stand up for what is right.
 
Each person and even has a page in color,
 
and a black and white version as well. 

 

Black History for the Primary Classroom is a great way to introduce primary students to the contributions of African-Americans in our world, and important times such as The Underground Railroad and The Civil Rights Movement. It is a great way to share with students that they are perfect and unique, no matter the color of their skin, or the texture of their hair. It's also a great way to teach about how important it is to stand up for what is right.
 
We put all of our learning in our black history research book
 
and vocabulary book. 
Black History for the Primary Classroom is a great way to introduce primary students to the contributions of African-Americans in our world, and important times such as The Underground Railroad and The Civil Rights Movement. It is a great way to share with students that they are perfect and unique, no matter the color of their skin, or the texture of their hair. It's also a great way to teach about how important it is to stand up for what is right.
 
 
For more information on this black history pack,
 
you may click here or on any of the pictures above. 
 
These books are some of my fave read-alouds for black history month. I love how they reinforce how wonderful we are, regardless of skin color, and how important it is to stand up for what's right.   Black History for the Primary Classroom is a great way to introduce primary students to the contributions of African-Americans in our world, and important times such as The Underground Railroad and The Civil Rights Movement. It is a great way to share with students that they are perfect and unique, no matter the color of their skin, or the texture of their hair. It's also a great way to teach about how important it is to stand up for what is right.

 

***

Angela of TpT store The Daily AlphabetAngela is a Kindergarten/1st grade looping teacher in Birmingham, Alabama. She has been teaching for 11 years, and enjoys incorporating engaging, play-based and standards-based activities into her classroom. To take a peek at her classroom and instructional approach, you can find her at her blog, The Daily Alphabet. Connect with her on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and at her TpT store, The Daily Alphabet.

Visit her TpT store

 

 

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