Black History Month

Objectives:

• Students will learn what Black History Month is.

• Students will understand the purpose of Black History Month.

• Students will learn who created Black History Month and why.

Suggested Grades:

3rd Grade - 4th Grade - 5th Grade - 6th Grade

Lesson Procedure:

Print the reading comprehension passage and questions (see below).

Students should read the passage silently, then answer the questions. Teachers may also use the text as part of a classroom lesson plan.

Lesson Excerpt:

Since 1976, the month of February has been called Black History Month. Before 1976, Negro History Week was observed in February during the week in which the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas falls. Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States when the slaves were freed in 1862. Frederick Douglas was a slave who later helped lead the fight for freedom. He was a great speaker, writer and advocate of brotherhood for all mankind.

Carter G. Woodson, director of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in the 1970's, is credited with expanding Negro History Week to a month-long celebration.

Continued...