Teaching Black History through Language Arts

Posted By: Aalya On: Comment: 0 Hit: 576

What does Black History 365 mean? It means that our solidarity is demonstrated all year round! As a Black, Indigenous, (and) People of Color (BIPOC) owned local business, you will find us centring Black stories throughout the year on our social media channels and through our product offerings.We hope you will join us in promoting Black History every month. This aligns with the 2022 theme for Black History Month: “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and everyday.”

To raise awareness and draw students’ attention, we suggest that you create a Black History set-up with this African Fabric covering a table. We have stimulating recommendations for different kinds of books that you can lay out as an invitation at this station. You can also staple the fabric against your Bulletin Board. Another option is to use a neutral Fadeless® Roll or Better Than Paper® Roll with the African Weave trimmer bordering your Black History Bulletin Board. This Black History set-up can be modified every season by switching up the materials and resources, so that you can celebrate Black History everyday.

Ensure that children feel represented by having access to multicultural school supplies. The award-winning Colours of the World sets by Crayola® have specially formulated shades for varying skintones. The Colours of the World Crayons won the 2021 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award by the Canadian Toy Association. We believe that every classroom and playroom should have a pack of the Multicultural Markers, Crayons, and Pencil Crayons by Spring of 2022. What better time to commit to this than in February?

One way to focus on Black History is through Language Arts. There are creative approaches for recognizing contributions that have been made. We suggest that you start by exploring Black History using different kinds of stories, genres, and literary devices. The recommendations below are our humble contribution.

Teaching through Illustration and Reflection
What We Believe: A Black Lives Matter Principles Activity Book

“What We Believe: a Black Lives Matter” Principles Activity Book is the first of it’s kind. It shows how everyday people contributed towards this movement, rather than focusing on a few figures. This is most fitting for the 2022 Black History Month theme. The activity book includes realistic illustrations to colour, spaces to draw, write, and prompts for reflection and action. The best part is that it is divided into guiding principles to drive year-round inquiry, such as Empathy, Loving Engagement, Restorative Justice, Black Women, and more. These guiding principles were adapted by the Black Lives Matter at NYC Schools Steering Committee. This book is essential for every educator and parent!

Teaching through Song
Black is brown is tan

We have the re-illustrated classic read-aloud with rhythm: “black is brown is tan.” The full colour paintings are an artistic achievement! The story depicts an interracial family and the poetic rhythm stays in your head. Skin tones of various family members and relatives are described and then compared to similar shades at home and in the community. This book was inspired by the author’s marriage, which violated segregation laws. It is a singsong celebration of a real couple’s mixed-race union. We recommend reading this book in a singsong voice. Mixed children will feel seen and heard

Teaching through Repetition
Chocolate Me!

Children must see themselves in stories. That validation must be repeated over and over, like the words “chocolate me” in this touching story. The story of this little boy addresses how his name is different, how he experiences blatant racism from his peers, the microaggressions he receives about his hair, the disrespectful comments about his facial features, and the other horrible ways that anti-Black racism manifests in schools. At home, his mother practices self-love with him and teaches him how to love what he sees. Using food as a metaphor, this story explores what is delicious and precious.

Teaching through Kids Readers
Rosa Parks

Children graduate through leveled readers to develop their reading proficiency. Kids who are ready for longer sentences and more complex vocabulary can develop those skills with non-fiction for Black History Month. The layout of this book makes it easy to navigate, with large text, stunning historical photos, a timeline, facts, diagrams, dates, words to know, and quotes. It ends with a quiz, which can inspire other quizzes related to Canadian Black History.

Teaching through an Alphabet Book
The ABCs of Black History

M is for march, movement, and message. This alphabet book is unique not only because it is about Black History but also because many words are given for each letter. It is a treasure trove for Black culture. The book encourages you to make connections between different figures, key terms, historical events, big ideas, values, feelings, and celebrations. This book can be a read aloud, a teaching tool to lead a brainstorming session for each letter, and it can inspire future anchor charts.



Teaching through a Read Aloud
Stacey’s Extraordinary Words

“Stacey’s Extraordinary Words” is based on the author’s own childhood and love for reading, writing, and spelling! The book speaks to how Stacey sometimes felt that words understood her better than people did. Stacey’s teacher selects her for the Spelling Bee and she arrives in second place. Feeling discouraged, she is reminded of one of her favourite words – “perseverance.” Stacey’s character also reminds readers that words are a gift that shouldn’t be used to hurt others. This book was selected because Black children were restricted from competing in Spelling Bees. It should be a starting point for conversations around segregation, exclusion, and why Black children are still underrepresented in academic competitions like these.


Working hand-in-hand with you,
Ms. Aalya

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