Black History Month takes place every October to recognise and celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of black people. So to help bring Black History Month into your classroom, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite resources that are perfect for students of all ages – including posters, activity sheets, short films and lesson plans that focus on key figures, movements and events in black history.
BBC Teach
Perfect for: Primary & Secondary school students
The BBC teach website provides teachers and parents with a selection of short videos to show students from primary school age up to secondary school. Choose from content that’s suitable for younger students – such as a short dramatisation of Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on a bus and the effect it had on the American civil rights movement – to films for older students about the racially motivated murder of British teenager Stephen Lawrence in London in 1993.
Showcasing a range of historical eras and events, there are plenty of options and relevant examples to show your students.
TES.com
Perfect for: Primary & Secondary school students
TES is a great hub where you can access and download lesson plans, classroom resources (such as posters and activity sheets) and ideas for discussion points and assemblies. With a collection aimed at primary level and one at secondary level, teachers will be able to pick and choose resources to support their learning outcomes.
There’s also a Black Experiences Hub on the website focusing on Black British History in particular. It offers support and insights to help your students understand not just about historical events that happened, but also the contributions from Black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals throughout history.
There are also resources for teaching about the knock-on effect of these events such as mental health, anti-racism and the Black Lives Movement.
Twinkl.co.uk
Perfect for: Primary school students
This website has a variety of resources for primary aged students, ranging from PowerPoints to reading comprehension and worksheets. The emphasis is on British Black History and less on the American civil rights movement and the people that influenced it. Instead, you can find materials to support teaching your students about the Windrush generation and British black politicians, athletes and musicians.
Teachwire.net
Perfect for: Primary school students
Specifically aimed at primary aged students, this website offers you access to download a lesson plan with a variety of activities and posters to assist with the teaching of Black History Month with a focus on British History.
PlanBee.com
Perfect for: Primary school students
Aimed at KS1 and KS2 pupils, this website gives hints and tips at the best way to approach topics within Black History Month with younger children, as well as activities to try and make the topic engaging and inclusive for them. From music suggestions to discussion points, it’s a great starting point to get the ideas whirling.
100greatblackbritons.com
Perfect for: Primary & Secondary school students
This website is a great source of posters and lesson plans for all ages from KS1 up to KS4. There are links to timelines, classroom posters, articles written about Black and Asian History from the Tudor period to present day – and many more! If you’re looking for inspiration, this website is your go-to.
Go one step further
See how a school history trip can help your students explore Black History.