In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson started Negro History Week. Dr. Woodson is the reason that African Americans have been included in history books. The scholar was disturbed that the history books  largely ignored the black population and when blacks  did figure into the picture, it was generally in ways that reflected the inferior social position they were assigned at the time (Haney)      Some people wonder why Black History Month is in the month of February. The second week of February was choose for the first original Negro History Week. The reason being because it marks the.birthdays of two prominent figures that who had a lot of impact on the African American population (Haney). The two men were Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. However, the month of February holds many other milestones for that important to Black History Month.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson 1875-1950 Historian and Publisher

Black History Month is celebrated many different ways. I feel that sometimes the celebration forgets to inform children. To me sometimes the celebration does not go beyond Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or Harriet Tubman. Since African American authors and illustrators have worked so hard within the last few years to create books that reflect the accomplishments of these great men and women. the materials are so readily available that it is easy to create a fun and simple fact filled lesson plan that can help kids learn this part of history.      Black History Month is not only for identifying facts and people. There are three goals for that Black History Month has for the African American child. Goal One: To make African  American children realize being black is normal and beautiful. Goal Two: Make African American child familiar with the history and achievements of the Negro race. Goal Three: To make them aware that other black children have grown into beautiful, useful, and famous people.      I hope that this bibliography helps teachers create lesson for Black History Month that goes further then Rosa Parks. I have also included different links to web sites that will help make lessons fun. These web sites have quizzes and other fun ideas to make learning fun as well as informative.      I hope the materials within this page helps teachers of tomorrow educate a diverse future.

     I have tried to choose children's books that are helpful as well as resourceful. I think that all the books can be used for any grade throughout the month of Black History. In order to make my page a little bit more helpful I have included a little description of each book. This may help make choosing the right book for the correct grade level. This list contains books that  reflect every aspect of Black History. There are books about slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. One will also find books that will introduce scholars, educators, abolitionists, scientists, inventors, religious leaders, civil rights leaders, authors, poets, musicians, dancers, and athletes.

Lindy Hop                  Gwendolyn Brooks                   Mae Jemminson                                 George Washington                                                                                                                                                                 Carver

Bibliography


Poetry

Altman, Susan and Susan Lechner.Followers of the North Star Rhymes about African American Heroes, Heroines, and                Historical Times. Children's.1993

       This book is filled with poetry about historical African American people and events. Each poem tells a different event  or about  a person who made a difference to the African American people.
Recommended for all ages.

Hudson, Wade. Pass it On:African American Poetry for Children. Scholastic.1993

     A volume of nineteen poems written by African Americans. Each poem reflects a different style and different subject. Each poem reflects some aspect of growing up African American.
Recommended for all ages.

Slier, Deborah.Make a Joyful Sound:Poems for Children by African Americans. Scholastic.1991

     Dozen of childhood poems and verses written by twenty-seven African American poets are presented here. The poems cover a wide range of subjects and stlyes.(Black Books Galore 99)
Recommended for all ages.

Strickland, Dorothy S. and Michael R..Families:Poems Celebrating the African American Experience.Boyd Mills.1994

     Through poems by different authors celebration of the beauty and diversity in the African American family is shown in this collective volume. Poems by different poets include Arnold Adoff, Lucille Clifton, Nikki Giovanni, and Langston Hughes.
Recommended for all ages


Picture Books

Edwards, Pamela Duncan.Barefoot:Escape on the Underground Railroad. Harper Collins.1997.

     Told from the point of view of animals, this story is about the flight of Barefoot escaping slavery. The animals help Barefoot escape from Heavy Boots (a slave catcher). The animals help Barefoot by stalling Heavy Boots. The animals can only see their feet.
Recommended for grades K-3

Hudson, Wade.Great Black Heroes Series.Cartwheel.1995

     A series of two books that are titles Five Notable Inventors and Five Notable Explorers.Each book contain information about each inventor and explorer.

McKissack, Fredrick and Patricia C.Great African Americans Series .Enslow.1991

     Biographical series profiles the lives of eighteen renowned African American men and women who have made significant contributions to our country.

Miller,Robert.Buffalo Soldiers:The Story of Emanuel Stance.Silver Burdett.1994

     Emanuel Stance was a member of the Ninth Cavalry, one of the first all-black regiments in the United States Army. Stance distinguished himself as a leader and brave fighting soldier.(Part of a series about pioneering African Americans)
Recommended for all grades

Pinkney,Andrea  D.Bill Pickett:Rodeo Ridin' Cowboy.Harcourt Brace.1996

     The story of Bill Pickett, the first African american to be inducted in the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Recommended for all ages

Pinkney, Andrea Davis.Dear Bejamin Banneker.Gulliver.1994

     Bejamin Banneker was born free in 1731. was a brillant self taught mathematician and astronomer who became known as America's first black man of science.
Recommended for all ages.

Pinkney,Andrea Davis.Alvin Ailey.Hyperion.1993

     The story of famed African american dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey warmly told and stunningly illustrated.
Recommended for grades K-4

Ringgold,Faith.Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky.Crown.1933

     Cassie dreams that she has followed her brother. They are retracing their great-great-great grandparents escape route from slavery. Aunt Harriet (Harriet Tubman) speaks to Cassie, and guides her to freedom in Canada.
Recommended for K-3

Wesley, Valerie Wilson.Freedom's Gifts:A Juneteenth Story.Simon&Schuster.1997.

     June 19 marks the day in 1865 when the slaves in Texas were told they were free. After two and half years being emancipated . Aunt Marshall, an exslave tells the story to her nieces.
Recommended to all ages.

Realistic Fiction

Clark,Margaret Goff.Freedom Crossing.Apple.1980

      A young white girl named Laura must decide on what to do when she finds that her family is helping runaway slaves. She must decide to help her family or uphold the law.

Coleman, Evelyn.White Socks Only.Albert Whitman.1996

     A story of a child who lives in the segregated South. One day she decides to take off her black shoes and drink from a "Whites Only" fountain in her white socks.
Recommended for all ages.

Coles, Robert. The Story Of Ruby Bridges. Scholastic.1995

     Tells the story of Ruby Bridges the first black child to integrate the all white school William Franz Elementary in New Orleans.
Recommended for K-3

Miller, William.Frederick Douglass:The Last Days of Slavery.Lee Low.1995

     Born a slave Frederick Douglass was always independent, unafraid to challenge others or ask questions. A fictionalized  biography about Frederick Douglass' life.

Chapter Books

Bolden, Tonya. Through Loona's Door: A Tammy and Owen Adventure With Carter G. Woodson.American Family.1997

      Owen and Tammy try to get out of the rain. they end up in a bookstore where they stumble on a adventure discovering black history facts with Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Black History Month.

Folktales

Hamilton,Virginia.The People Who Could Fly: American Black Folktales .Knopf.1985

     Folktales from the point of view of slaves.
Recommended to all readers (may require explanation for young readers).

Web Sites

www.ket.org
www.preschoolrainbow.org
www.teacherscorner.net
www.familyeducation.com
www.rigby.com/teachers