Black History Month 2024
Curated Resources From Your OS Social Studies Team
Background image by Kehinde Wiley ("After Watson and the Shark," 2022)
From Wiley's studio webpage: "Los Angeles native and New York based visual artist, Kehinde Wiley has firmly situated himself within art history’s portrait painting tradition. As a contemporary descendant of a long line of portraitists, including Reynolds, Gainsborough, Titian, Ingres, among others, Wiley, engages the signs and visual rhetoric of the heroic, powerful, majestic and the sublime in his representation of urban, Black and Brown men found throughout the world."
Click the photo below to learn three things about the history of BHM
How Are You Teaching Black History?
From Dr. LaGarrett King
Teaching Black History Framework:
"Black historical consciousness is a Black history framework developed by Dr. LaGarrett J. King, the founding director for the Center for K-12 Black History and Racial Literacy Education. The framework was developed as a guide for educators and other Black history proponents developing curriculum and effective instructional approaches. The principles were developed not to be static but allow educators flexibility with content decisions when they design course materials."
Click the image above to access MDE's curated Black History Month lessons submitted by MI teachers.
The Michigan Department of Education and the Library of Michigan worked with educators to showcase Black authors and their literary works, creating calendars in celebration of Black History Month in February 2021 and February 2023. By raising the consciousness about great Black authors and lifting up their works, we seek to create conditions for greater engagement with literature among Michigan students.
The 2024 Black History Month Calendar expands to include lessons from educators and a personal why to support instruction focused on Black history. Daily lessons from educators include a range of content areas and grade levels, and the standards to which the lesson aligns.
K-5 Black History Teaching Ideas & Resources
Featured Resource:
Young Children as Activists: Celebrating Black History Month and Marian Wright Edelman’s Work
NCSS Black History Month Curated Resources (also includes 6-12 resources)
In preparation for Black History Month, NCSS editors have curated this selection of articles and resources from Social Education, Middle Level Learning, and Social Studies and the Young Learner.
Anti-Defamation League Black History Month Resources (also includes 6-12 resources)
Building Democracy for All resources through Amherst School of Education--check out the Black History choice boards available (also includes 6-12 resources)
6-12 Black History Teaching Ideas & Resources
Featured Resource:
Gearing Up for Black History Month from Facing History
Bring Black History into Your Classroom Throughout the Year from Facing History
Engaging in Antiracism Work: During Black History Month and Beyond (free webinar from Facing History & Ourselves)
Black Culture Connection from PBS
Black History Month from iCivics
NCSS Black History Month Curated Resources (also includes K-5 resources)
In preparation for Black History Month, NCSS editors have curated this selection of articles and resources from Social Education, Middle Level Learning, and Social Studies and the Young Learner.
Anti-Defamation League Black History Month Resources (also includes K-5 resources)
Building Democracy for All resources through Amherst School of Education--check out the Black History choice boards available (also includes K-5 resources)
Inclusive Digital Images Resource
People of color are often underrepresented in illustrations, lacking in the design process and often go unseen in visuals across the internet.
We saw the lack of diversity as an opportunity to create a free resource for everyone. As a way to add diversity to online content by showcasing Black people and people of color in a myriad of tasks, we hope to be the spark that creates more change in the digital landscape.
[Un] Learning for Educators
Malcolm X Was From MI
Stateside Podcast Episode, 2/7/22
Malcolm X House in Inkster Added to National Register of Historic Places, 2/1/22
The Real Rosa Parks
The Real Rosa Parks and The Montgomery Bus Boycott, Teaching Hard History, Episode 9, Season 3 (you can earn professional development credit for listening to this episode)
Dr. King: Unsanitized
Teaching About King’s Radical Approach to Social Justice, Learning for Justice article for educators, 1/13/20
King in the Wilderness, Emmy winning HBO Documentary that focuses on the last three years of King's life. It includes never-seen-before footage and interviews with folks in his inner circle, which reveal a new perspective on Dr. King.
Local & National BHM Events & Opportunities
The DIA
The Charles H. Wright Museum
National Park Service
Resources for This Year's Theme: African Americans and the Arts
"Teaching Black History, Thought, and Culture Through Art" from Edutopia
"African Americans and the Arts" from the Smithsonian Museum
"Black History Month" from the National Portrait Gallery
Your Oakland Schools Social Studies Team
In accordance with state and federal law, Oakland Schools does not discriminate, nor permit discrimination, on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy or parental status, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, height, weight, marital status, military service, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, in its educational programs and activities, employment, or enrollment. The District also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
For questions or complaints regarding unlawful discrimination or harassment, employees should contact the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Personnel Management and Labor Relations at (248) 209-2429 or HR@oakland.k12.mi.us. Students and others should contact the Civil Rights/Title IX Coordinator at (248) 209-2590 or Jacqueline.Zablocki@oakland.k12.mi.us.