Celebrating Black History Month

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By: Samantha Wilkinson, OIT Teacher Specialist



Let's celebrate Black History Month by using our instructional technology applications to highlight the lives, contributions, and impacts of Black Americans, Black culture and Black history. 

Wixie: Give students a choice in how they show their learning and new information from Black History Month lessons and research. Have students create a historical newsletter, trading card on a historical figure, and more. Consider using the Black History Month Choice board:



Discovery Education: 

Black History Month Channel “The resources in this channel can be utilized to offer new perspectives, drive a deeper cultural understanding, and help students see themselves in history.”


K-2 Beautiful Shades of Brown Growing up in the late 19th century, Laura Wheeler Waring didn't see any artists who looked like her. She didn't see any paintings of people who looked like her, either. This DE board has students hear a reading of the book, and then provides follow-up activity options.


3-5 History Changers Students can explore famous Black historical, literary, sports, and political figures and then they choose from follow-up project ideas. 


Grades 6-8 Deciding to Act Students view Civil Rights Testimonies, reflect on what they hear, generate questions, and launches a investigation to find answers.


Grades 9-12 Amanda Gorman Students learn about award-winning writer Amanda Gorman and dive into the Inauguration Day 2021 poem she performed. 


Lumio: Use this Lumio, which includes whole-class whiteboarding, and independent elements to research, create a timeline, and reflect learning about Black and African American Inventors.


Nearpod: K-2 Black History Month Lesson has students reading, watching videos, and completing activities on why Black History Month is an important celebration. Grades 3-5 have a similar lesson. Additionally, Nearpod has dozens of lessons and interactive videos with questions that highlight famous African Americans. For secondary students, consider the lesson on Langston Hughes which features a VR experience.



Google Earth: Explore the milestones across Black history that have shaped the American experience. Curated by the Schomburg Center and Howard University, “The Journey of Us” allows teachers and students to learn about Black culture from tech to entertainment. This exploration highlights how significant places, people, and events have shaped the American experience.


And don't forget about the amazing research databases in MackinVia for students. Additionally, Free resources abound at popular sites such as the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Be sure to check TAIMMS for directions on if/ how you can use these sites with students. Have fun and tag us in a tweet @aacpsoit if you decide to use something from this post!

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