Black History Month: Books and Resources

This month, as teachers nationwide work to include highlights of African American history in their lesson plans, they are also challenged to make sure that themes of diversity and integration are carried through the curriculum year-round.

Schools, more than any other outlet, have perhaps the best opportunity to emphasize that black history is one and the same as American history — as encouraged in these reminders from Teaching Tolerance’s “Do’s and Don’ts of Black History Month.” Otherwise, February will remain the way it’s satirized in former Onion staffer Baratunde Thurston‘s book How to Be Black. Thurston writes “odds are high that you acquired this book during the nationally sanctioned season for purchasing black cultural objects, also known as Black History Month,” going on to suggest other ways the reader can celebrate the month.

We hope our list of books for Black History Month goes beyond February and offers some new sources that teachers will find useful year-round in “shifting the lens” — adding depth and relevance to historical events and periods by beginning with minority perspectives.

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with the best books by or about the great civil rights leader. There are biographies, in-depth histories, collections of Dr. King’s words, and books to engage young readers. Below is a sample of books that can help students understand King’s monumental work and connect it with the continued efforts for justice and peace needed today.

Why We Can’t Wait
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Grades 9 and up

Who Was Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Bonnie Bader
Grades 4 to 6

All Labor Has Dignity
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Grades 9 and up

History’s All-Stars
Dharathula H. Millender
Grades 4 to 6

Let the Trumpet Sound
Stephen B. Oates
Grades 10 and up

A Time to Break Silence
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Grades 5 to 8

Waking From the Dream
David L. Chappell
Grades 10 and up

King’s Courage
David Wenzel
Grades 4 to 6

Parting the Waters
Taylor Branch
Grades 10 and up

Save 35% off list price when ordering 10 or more copies. Search Adams Book Co. to find the titles you need.

Get Started with Tablets in Your Classroom

A Tablet is Not a Computer

This is the most helpful premise to have when integrating a tablet into a classroom and one that often gets ignored. The purpose of a tablet is best thought of as a consumption and creation device, not a small computer. They are meant as a compliment to the computer, not a replacement.  Seeking to make one’s tablet a computer may lead to frustration as well as discount the strengths of the tablet. Start by considering what the tablet can do and how it can compliment your curriculum to engender active learning.

Reading Tracker Printable – Students and Teachers Editions!

We’ve produced a reading tracker worksheet for students to use to document their daily readings and for teachers to track progress. This serves to hold students accountable for their reading and gives them a tool to share with peers.

We’ve also produced a tracker for teachers to use to evaluate student progress. It contains several  rubrics with space to add your own.

Back-to-School Goal Sheet

Here’s our second FREE printable worksheet. It’s a goal sheet for middle and high school students to identify their academic goals and steps to reaching them.

The goal sheet asks students to:

• State an academic goal
• Identify actions and steps to complete that goal
• Describe what reaching that goal will look like
• Timeline for reaching that goal
• Anticipate challenges

Character Map Printable Worksheet

The new school year approaches and we’re creating our own sets of FREE printable worksheets for middle and high school teachers to use in classrooms. First up: Character Map. Stay tuned to this blog and our Pinterest page over the coming weeks for more free printables. Next week: a worksheet for analyzing symbolism.