Ensuring the ongoing integration of Black history and experiences throughout all curriculum is imperative as educators continue to uplift every student and reinforce that Black lives matter every day. Here are strategies and resources to help you create an inclusive and enriching Black History Month experience for your students.

Black History Month provides a unique opportunity for educators to celebrate the achievements, contributions, and resilience of Black individuals throughout history. For special educators working with K-12 students in small groups, this celebration can be tailored to meet diverse learning needs while ensuring accessibility and engagement. The resources provided below can be used beyond the scope of this one-month. Ensuring the ongoing integration of Black history and experiences throughout all curriculum is imperative as educators continue to uplift every student and reinforce that Black lives matter every day.Here are strategies and resources to help you create an inclusive and enriching Black History Month experience for your students:<h3>1. Foster a Safe and Inclusive Environment</h3><ul><li>Create Ground Rules for Discussions: Establish norms that promote respect and open-mindedness. Encourage students to ask questions and share their thoughts in a supportive space.</li><li>Acknowledge Diversity: Celebrate the uniqueness of each student while exploring the rich diversity within the Black community itself.</li><li>Incorporate Multisensory Learning: Use visuals, music, hands-on activities, and interactive technologies to accommodate various learning styles and abilities.</li></ul> <h3>2. Highlight Intersectionality</h3>Black History Month is an opportunity to showcase the interconnectedness of race, gender, disability, and other identities. Introduce students to influential Black individuals who were also trailblazers in other marginalized communities, such as:<ul><li>Haben Girma: The first Deafblind graduate of Harvard Law School and a disability rights advocate.</li><li>Claudia Gordon: The first Deaf Black female attorney in the U.S. and an advocate for disability and civil rights.</li></ul> <h3>3. Use Engaging, Accessible Resources</h3>The following resources are designed to support differentiated instruction and foster an appreciation of Black history:<ul><li>Smithsonian Learning Lab:<a href="https://learninglab.si.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> learninglab.si.edu</a> Offers a wide range of interactive lessons and digital artifacts tailored to various grade levels.</li><li>Teaching Tolerance (now Learning for Justice):<a href="https://www.learningforjustice.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> learningforjustice.org</a> Provides free, standards-based resources that emphasize social justice.</li><li>ReadWorks:<a href="https://www.readworks.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> readworks.org</a> Features free, leveled reading passages on Black historical figures and events, many with audio support.</li><li>Facing History and Ourselves:<a href="https://www.facinghistory.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> facinghistory.org</a> Offers lesson plans and activities designed to help students critically engage with history and social justice.</li><li>The Center for Racial Justice in Education:<a href="https://theblackcurriculum.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://centerracialjustice.org/resources/black-history-month-resource-guide-for-educators-and-families/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://centerracialjustice.org/resources/black-history-month-resource-guide-for-educators-and-families/</a> Features 80+ high quality, free, intersectional resources to be used beyond the scope of Black History Month.</li></ul> <h3>4. Incorporate Student-Centered Activities</h3><ul><li>Role-Playing and Storytelling: Allow students to step into the shoes of historical figures through role-playing activities.</li><li>Art and Music Exploration: Explore the impact of Black artists, musicians, and writers, encouraging students to create their own expressive works.</li><li>Research Projects: Encourage students to investigate and present on lesser-known Black historical figures or events, ensuring topics resonate with their interests.</li></ul> <h3>5. Reflect and Extend the Learning</h3><ul><li>Encourage Critical Thinking: Facilitate discussions about how history impacts current events and personal experiences.</li></ul> By thoughtfully incorporating these strategies and resources, special educators can make Black History Month an enriching and transformative experience for all students year-round. Empowering young minds with knowledge, empathy, and a commitment to equity will help create a more inclusive future.<h4>Citations</h4>Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). Learning Lab. Retrieved January 13, 2025, from<a href="https://learninglab.si.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://learninglab.si.edu</a>Learning for Justice. (n.d.). Learning for Justice. Retrieved January 13, 2025, from<a href="https://www.learningforjustice.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.learningforjustice.org</a>ReadWorks. (n.d.). ReadWorks. Retrieved January 13, 2025, from<a href="https://www.readworks.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.readworks.org</a>Facing History and Ourselves. (n.d.). Facing History and Ourselves. Retrieved January 13, 2025, from<a href="https://www.facinghistory.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> https://www.facinghistory.org</a>Center for Racial Justice in Education. (n.d.). Black History Month resource guide for educators and families. Retrieved January 13, 2025, from <a href="https://centerracialjustice.org/resources/black-history-month-resource-guide-for-educators-and-families/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://centerracialjustice.org/resources/black-history-month-resource-guide-for-educators-and-families/</a>&nbsp;

Celebrating Black History Month: A Guide for Special Education Providers