The Book Nook (Black History Month Freebies!)

 

There are so many great books out there to teach during Black History Month, which makes it is impossible for me to pick just ONE to highlight this week!

Below you’ll find 18 fabulous books that are very informative and excellent discussion starters for teaching your students all about famous African Americans! You’ll be able to read a little blurb about each book by clicking on the links below.

From Top to Bottom, Left to Right:
1.    I Love My Hair by Natasha Trepley
2.    Aunt Flossie's Hats (and Crab Cakes Later) by Elizabeth Howard
3.    Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
4.    Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama
5.    A Picture Book of Rosa Parks by David Adler
6.    If a Bus Could Talk by Faith Ringgold
7.    Garrett Morgan Inventor by Garnet Jackson
8.    A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass by David Adler
9.    Ellen’s Broom by Kelly Starling Lyons
10.    What Color is My World? By Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
11.    When Grandmama Sings by Margaree King Mitchell
12.    The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
13.    Who Was Harriet Tubman? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
14.    George Washington Carver: Teacher, Scientist, and Inventor by Lori Mortensen
15.    Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport
16.    Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull
17.    He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands by Kadir Nelson
18.    Desmond and the Very Mean Word by Desmond Tutu

Last year, my kids especially loved learning all about Garrett Morgan. We read many different  articles and stories all about his amazing accomplishments. After we learned all about him and other famous African American inventors, I held an Invention Convention in the classroom. It was super simple and fun to do! I gathered a bunch of items from home (egg cartons, tissue boxes, craft sticks, clay, pipe cleaners, etc.) and had my students work together in pairs to come up with a new invention. It was an excellent teamwork activity!

You can grab some resources below to have your own Invention Convention in your classroom. Click on any of the activities below to grab them.

I’ll also be using LOTS of activities from my Black History packet. Click here to read all about it.