For over a century, Scholastic has celebrated readers and worked to ensure that the Company’s books and educational materials inspire students to cultivate their minds, engage in a culture of reading, and strive for excellence across all fields of learning.
Dating back to the 1930’s, our founder, Maurice Richard Robinson, published articles that were at the forefront of thinking in regards to race relations and equality for all. During the Civil Rights era, both Maurice and Dick Robinson worked with colleagues to produce magazines, professional books, and pleasure reading that met the demands of the African American public – a few historic examples of which can be found far below!
To continue highlighting Black History Month this February, Scholastic is excited to feature several Scholastic Magazines+ resources from over the years that reflect the rich contemporary and historical achievements of Black Americans. These resources include skill sheets, questions, activities, and lesson plans that can be incorporated in the classroom or at home.
Keep reading below to learn more about how these Americans shaped history and impacted generations and the future to come!
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Scholastic ART, “Sewing Stories,” (Grades 7-12)*
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Artist Bisa Butler uses quilting materials to share powerful connections within Black history. Butler acknowledges a longstanding tradition of quilting among Black women by using these materials as her main medium.
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To read more about how she uses art to draw connections through time, click here.
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ScienceWorld, “Black Inventors,” (Grades 7-10)*
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Inventions, creations and innovations made by Black Americans have changed the world many times over.
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To read more about inventors such as Augustus Jackson, who innovated ice cream in the 1830’s, Alice Parker, who created a better way to heat homes during the harsh winter months, Lonnie Johnson, a NASA engineer who created the super soaker, and more, click here.
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Scholastic News, Edition 5/6, “History Makers: Bessie Coleman,” (Grades 5-6)*
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Introduce your students to “Brave Bessie,” the first Black American woman to get her pilot’s license. She is considered an early pioneer, as she received her license from France in the 1920’s and soon came back to America with plans to open a flight school for Black women.
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Coleman’s story, although tragically cut short, inspires many, as she was determined to fly, even if it was frowned upon by others during her time.
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To read more about Bessie Coleman, click here.
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Scholastic News, Edition 4, “Heroes in Flight,” (Grade 4)*
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Share the historical legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of Black pilots who helped end segregation in the U.S. military, and learn more about how their service positively impacted World War II abroad and at home.
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Despite facing unfair treatment and segregation within their home country, the Tuskegee Airmen bravely fought for their Allied counterparts, receiving numerous medals and distinctions. To read more about the Tuskegee Airmen, click here.
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Junior Scholastic, “The Secrets of their Success” (Grade 6-8)*
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Engage your middle school students with this feature that highlights four exemplary Black business leaders.
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Spotlighting figures such as 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.
As an added bonus, check out the below historical magazine covers through the years! A special thanks to Deimosa Webber-Bey, Director of Information Services and Cultural Insight at Scholastic, for sharing and providing this research.
