A+ Black History Lessons

These Black History Lessons and related resources work well for Black History Month or any time of year. The lessons connect directly with key instruction areas. Additional resources for teaching with these films are available from the Journeys in Film Library.

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Product Description

U.S. Black History Lessons

For Civics, Government, and U.S. History classes

Film poster for Hidden Figures, showing three Black women striding confidently across the NASA logo.Hidden Figures

Segregation and Civil Rights Lesson This lesson includes 2 handouts and extension activities using short videos available on Youtube, including an activity that connects this historical event to the more recent Dakota Pipeline Protests. Appropriate for US History Classes, especially for teaching about segregation and the Civil Rights Movement. For Grades 7-12.

Hidden Figures Discussion Guide This guide includes history sections on the Jim Crow South, the Civil Rights Movement in the 50s and 60s, the realities facing women in this era, the Cold War and the Space Race, plus non-history sections and additional resources. For Grades 5-12.

Film rating: Rating: PG. CommonSense Media Rating: Ages 10+. Learn more about teaching with Hidden Figures.

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Film poser for Just Mercy, showing Michael B. Jordan as Bryan Stevenson, wearing a business suit, looking into the distance with a serious expression.Just Mercy

Reconstruction and Post-Reconstruction Lesson This lesson includes activities for using primary sources in the classroom, specifically political cartoons. Features handouts and an activity using an NPR podcast. Appropriate for US History Classes, especially for teaching about Reconstruction and the period following Reconstruction.  Ideal for Grades 11-12, but may work for some Grade 9-10 classes.

Legal History / Civil Rights Lesson About the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments and Legal History related to the Civil Rights. Includes handouts on constitutional rights and legal case briefs. Appropriate for History and Government classes. For Grades 9-12

Film rating: Rating: PG-13. CommonSense Media Rating: Ages 13+. Learn more about teaching with Just Mercy.

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Preview Civil Rights/Legal Lesson

Film poster for Summer of Soul, illustrated with a collage of iconic Black musicians of the 1960s.Summer of Soul

Civil Rights Lesson This lesson focuses on the year 1969 within the broader context of the Civil Rights Movement, the Civil Rights Act, and the Voting Rights Act.  Includes a handout (and corresponding answer key) focused on major events in African-American History. This lesson was the #1 downloaded product/partner resource on Share My Lesson in 2022.  For Grades 7-12.

Film rating: Rating: PG-13. CommonSense Media Rating: Ages 13+. Learn more about teaching with Summer of Soul.

 

 

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Collage of Journeys in Film film guide covers for Beat the Drum, The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind, and Chevalier.Global Black History Resources

For Geography, Regional History and World History Classes.

Chevalier Discussion Guide – About Black History and the French Revolution.
For French History, European History and World History Classes.
Film Rating: PG-13. CommonSense Media Rating: Ages 13+.  For Grades 11-12. Learn more.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Discussion Guide – Useful for Learning about Malawi.
For African History and World History Classes.
Film Rating: TV-PG. CommonSense Media Rating: Ages 12+. For Grades 7-12 or adaptable to Grades 5 and 6. Learn more.

Beat the Drum –  Apartheid and South Africa Lesson. Includes mapping activities, geography elements, touches on the history of South Africa.
For African History and World History Classes.
Film Rating: not rated. CommonSense Media Rating: not rated. For
Grades 11-12. Learn more.

Preview Chevalier Discussion Guide

Preview Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Discussion Guide

Preview Beat the Drum Lesson

Related Resources

Professional Development Webinars

These webinars support teaching Black History. They are available free and on-demand via Share My Lesson. Participants receive a certificate of completion for one-hour of Professional Development credit.

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  4. Download your free PDFs.

Journeys in Film supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more about teaching with UN SDGs.

This curriculum guide connects to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

Magenta background. 10 in the left-hand corner. Reduced Inequalities beside the number. Central image on the magenta background is a not quite complete circle with equal marks inside.

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