In honor of Black History Month, Scholastic is highlighting resources that are available for families and educators everywhere to celebrate the phenomenal contributions made by Black Americans, including new books and free articles, lesson plans, skill sheets, and online activities from Scholastic Magazines+.
Check out the below resources to learn more about how Black joy, Black histories, and Black legacies can be implemented in the classroom or at home:
- Scholastic Magazines+, Black History Month Teaching Resources
- For grades 1-12, celebrate Black History Month with this free collection of nonfiction dedicated to brave men, women, and children who have made a big impact on the world.
- Share inspiring stories with your classroom, including Misty Copeland’s journey from a young dancer to becoming the first Black American woman principal ballerina with the American Ballet Theatre, and mixed-media artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s work that explores her heritage and identity.
- To access free articles, lesson plans, skill sheets, and online activities, click here.
- Let’s Find Out, February 2023 issue spotlighting Alma Thomas*
- In this weekly, nonfiction magazine made just for kindergarteners from Scholastic Magazines+, share with your students the artistic legacy of Alma Thomas with lesson plans, skill sheets, and more.
- Alma Thomas, a Black creator and teacher, was the first Black American woman to have a solo exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. She also had her art showcased at the White House three times over the course of her career.
- To access all the resources included in this issue, such as videos, games, hands-on-activities, lesson plans, and more, click here.
- Scholastic News, Edition 4, “Heroes in Flight” article*
- This February, Scholastic News Edition 4, the top nonfiction resource for grade 4, is introducing students to the historical legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of Black pilots who helped end segregation in the U.S. military.
- As the first Black American soldiers to enter the Army Air Corps, the Tuskegee Airmen left a profound impact during World War II and beyond. Despite facing segregation and other unfair treatment from their home country, the Tuskegee Airmen fought hard for their Allied counterparts and received numerous medals and distinctions.
- To read more about the Tuskegee Airmen, click here.
- Junior Scholastic, “The Secrets of their Success” article*
- Geared towards middle school students, Junior Scholastic specializes in social studies, and this Black History Month, the magazine is featuring four exemplary Black business leaders.
- This article spotlights Annie Turnbo Malone, a haircare pioneer, John Merrick, an insurance provider, Lucille B. Smith, a cooking entrepreneur, and “Free Frank” McWorter, a saltpeter manufacturer, inspire your students to follow their passions as these entrepreneurs did.
- To learn more about their stories, click here.
- Unearthing Joy, by Dr. Gholdy Muhammad
- Released in January 2023, Unearthing Joy is Dr. Gholdy Muhammad’s highly anticipated sequel to Cultivating Genius, which builds on her groundbreaking framework for culturally and historically responsive instruction. Dr. Muhammad shows how joy, which is rooted in cultural and historical realities, can enhance our efforts to cultivate identity, skills, intellect, and criticality for all students, giving them a powerful purpose to learn and contribute to the world.
- Within the book, her advice is paired with model lessons that span subjects and grade levels. This incredible guide to culturally and historically responsive teaching and learning highlights the need to celebrate examples of genius, justice, and joy.
- To learn more and purchase a copy of Unearthing Joy, click here.
- Rising Voices Library – Celebrating Black & Latino Boys
- Often underrepresented in literature, it is important that Black and Latino Boys see positive representation of themselves in the stories we read. This curated collection of culturally relevant nonfiction, biographical, and fiction titles celebrates boys of color as leaders, thinkers, and role models.
- Each title in this series is thematically linked through the following five ideas: community, memorable characters, heroes and role models, resilient problem solvers, and thinking beyond today. Each collection includes 50 titles complete with instruction cards, teacher guides, labels, and access to digital resources.
- To preview and learn more about the Rising Voices Library, click here.
*These Scholastic Magazines+ resources will be available for free for a limited time.
