Primary school teachers can now grab hundreds of free Black History Month resources, like lesson plans, printables and video materials that fit the UK National Curriculum for history, art, music and PSHE. You’ll find these resources handy for teaching children aged 4-11 about important figures, events and contributions from Black history throughout February and really, all year round.
Michelle Connolly, who founded the UK educational platform LearningMole and taught primary for over 15 years, says, “Black history shouldn’t be confined to one month, but October gives us a focused opportunity to introduce young learners to stories and achievements they might not encounter otherwise.” You’ll find teaching resources for primary schools that cover Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, from biography projects to cross-curricular activities linking history with literacy, art and citizenship.
If you’re after ready-made lesson plans, free printables for elementary students, or just need ideas for meaningful classroom activities, these materials help you create engaging lessons that celebrate Black British and international figures. With the right resources, you can build an inclusive curriculum that honours diverse experiences and helps all pupils see why Black history matters in shaping our world.
Key Takeaways
Black History Month started in 1926 when Carter D. Woodson created a week to celebrate African American achievements. Now, schools across the UK use February to teach students about important Black figures and their impact on society.
Carter D. Woodson wanted African American history included in education, so he started what became Black History Month. He aimed for students to learn about Black achievements that textbooks often ignored.
The celebration began as Negro History Week in the United States. It later grew into a full month.
In the UK, schools mark Black History Month in October. This gives students a chance to explore educational history resources about people who shaped our world.
Children learn that Black history is British history too. Your classroom turns into a place where students ask questions and discover different cultures.
Teaching Black history content helps young learners see themselves in the curriculum. It also shows all children that people from all backgrounds have made important contributions.
Many influential people have shaped African American history and deserve a place in your primary classroom. These individuals made breakthroughs in different areas.
You can introduce these figures with stories, videos or activities that fit your students’ ages. Year 1 and Year 2 pupils love picture books about these heroes.
Older students in Key Stage 2 might research these people and create presentations about their achievements.
Your school can celebrate with activities that get students involved and spark meaningful learning. Lots of teachers use printables and ready-to-use materials to make planning easier.
Try starting each day with a fact about a different Black historical figure. You could make a classroom display where students add new information as they learn.
Art projects let children express what they discover through drawing or crafts. Reading is a great way to explore Black history themes.
Pick age-appropriate books that tell stories about real people and events. You’ll find free teaching resources and activities for different year groups.
Music and poetry activities help students connect with African American culture. Your class might learn songs from the civil rights era or read poems by Black British writers.
These creative approaches help pupils remember what they learn long after February ends.
You’ll need to check that the materials you pick match your pupils’ developmental stage, come from trusted educational providers, and share diverse voices and perspectives in an authentic way.
Match resources to your pupils’ reading levels and emotional maturity. Key Stage 1 children usually respond well to picture books and simple stories about individual people.
Key Stage 2 pupils can handle more complex themes, like the civil rights movement or colonialism. Look for materials that use vocabulary your class already knows or can pick up with a little help.
A Year 2 class might explore Mary Seacole through illustrations and short sentences. Year 6 pupils can analyse primary sources and historical documents.
Consider whether activities need skills your pupils have, like independent research or group discussion. Mixing formats keeps engagement high.
Videos, interactive activities and hands-on projects work alongside worksheets. Always preview any multimedia content to check the pace and audio quality suit your class.
Start with established educational organisations that focus on black history month resources for teachers. These providers usually align content with the National Curriculum and have subject experts review accuracy.
Check if authors or creators have credentials in education, history or diversity teaching. Reputable platforms show publication dates, so you know information reflects current understanding and inclusive language.
Avoid materials that don’t list clear authors or fail to cite historical facts. Many UK schools use BBC Teach, museums with educational programmes and curriculum-focused websites.
You can also access educational resources that cover multiple subjects with teacher-created content. Cross-reference facts across sources before sharing them with your class.
Good resources present Black history as part of British and world history, not a separate topic. Look for materials that show people in varied roles: scientists, artists, activists, and community members, not just stories of struggle.
Check if resources include voices and perspectives from Black authors, historians and educators. Materials should show diversity within Black communities, including different countries, cultures and time periods.
Avoid resources that offer only one story or oversimplify complex events. Assess whether images show Black people as agents of change and achievement.
Resources that only show suffering, without celebrating contributions and resilience, can reinforce stereotypes. The best materials help pupils understand both challenges and victories, connecting past events to present-day society.
Lesson plans for Black History Month save you prep time and cover National Curriculum objectives in history, literacy and citizenship. These structured units help you teach key figures, events and themes with activities that fit your timetable and your pupils’ ages.
Timeline and Biography Units
You’ll find ready-to-use printables like posters, timelines and poetry pages that introduce important figures to Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils. These work well for whole-class or small group activities.
History-focused lesson plans often include comprehension tasks, discussion questions and creative writing prompts. Many units cover figures like Mary Seacole, the Tuskegee Airmen or Rosa Parks with worksheets that match reading and history objectives.
Structured Learning Sequences
Lesson plans with depth and relevance often run over several sessions, so pupils can explore topics thoroughly. A three-lesson unit might cover the civil rights movement through video clips, primary sources and group discussions.
Teachers usually find these multi-part plans easier to fit into weekly planning than single activities.
Literacy and Arts Integration
Black History Month fits naturally with English, music and art lessons. You might use poetry by Benjamin Zephaniah in literacy, study jazz musicians in music or make portrait collages in art.
Cross-curricular resources for art, history, music and PSHE help you teach several subjects while exploring Black history. A Year 3 class could read a biography, write diary entries from that person’s perspective, and create art inspired by their achievements.
Maths and Science Links
Try including Black mathematicians and scientists in your current units. Lessons about Katherine Johnson can introduce space exploration in science and reinforce calculation skills.
These links show pupils that Black history isn’t separate from other subjects, but woven through all learning.
Whole-School Resources
Assembly plans give you scripts, presentation slides and suggested hymns or songs for collective worship. These usually last around 15-20 minutes and introduce key themes to the whole school.
You’ll find materials for leading assemblies yourself or training older pupils to present. Group lessons for circle time or PSHE help pupils discuss identity, fairness and respect.
Multicultural and inclusive curriculum materials provide question prompts and activities for thoughtful conversations. These work especially well with Year 5 and 6 classes exploring citizenship and British values.
Printable worksheets and activities offer flexible, low-prep ways to introduce important figures and events during Black History Month. These resources range from vocabulary-building puzzles to hands-on crafts, helping primary school children engage with history in formats they know.
Black History Month printables work especially well in busy classrooms. They need little preparation and adapt easily for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
Teachers use these worksheets as lesson starters, independent activities or follow-ups to read-alouds. Many printable packs focus on figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman or Maya Angelou.
These usually include short fact sheets with simple comprehension questions or drawing prompts. The mix helps children learn key names and contributions without overwhelming younger pupils.
Bookmark templates are handy for the whole month. Children can colour them during reading time and use them in their books. Each bookmark highlights one person’s achievement, so names and ideas stick without adding more worksheet time.
Word searches and crosswords introduce vocabulary linked to Black history in a fun way. A Black History Month word search might include words like ‘equality’, ‘freedom’ or ‘inventor’, plus important names, helping children spot key ideas before learning about them in depth.
Crossword puzzles suit upper Key Stage 2 students ready for more structured recall. The clues get children thinking about vocabulary and achievements, not just matching names.
These work well as review activities after watching videos or reading biographies. Word scrambles offer a gentler challenge for younger pupils or mixed-ability groups.
Many printable sets include two difficulty levels, so you can adapt them for different year groups. Teachers often use these as early finisher activities or in learning stations where children work independently.
Colouring pages featuring Black leaders and inventors naturally spark discussion in a calm, manageable way. Each page usually shows one person with their name, so you can pause and chat while children colour.
Inventor colouring sheets link everyday objects to the people behind them. Children might colour George Washington Carver with peanuts or Garrett Morgan with a traffic light. These pictures help younger pupils see how inventions shaped daily life.
Handprint crafts fit especially well with Reception and Year 1. The messages centre on inclusion and kindness, introducing Black History Month themes gently for younger children.
LearningMole has free video tutorials that show similar craft ideas. Teachers can use these to prepare hands-on activities that back up curriculum topics.
Teachers can bring Black history to life with digital platforms, original documents and multimedia content. Pupils connect with stories and achievements in ways that feel real and memorable.
These tools support lessons across subjects and meet UK National Curriculum goals.
Online platforms offer ready-made lesson plans and interactive activities that save teachers time. PBS provides classroom resources for history, English and art, all suitable for primary pupils.
LearningMole has free curriculum-aligned videos for Key Stage 1 and 2 on Black British history.
Twinkl offers free teaching resources like worksheets, display materials and assembly presentations. These downloads suit different year groups and need little prep.
Kapow Primary supplies resources for art, music, history and PSHE that link straight to curriculum objectives.
Many teachers use these digital tools to adapt content for different reading levels and learning needs in their classes.
Original documents, photographs and artefacts help pupils build historical enquiry skills as they work directly with real evidence.
The Library of Congress provides primary source sets with letters, newspaper articles and images from different times.
These materials encourage critical thinking. Pupils can analyse sources, compare viewpoints and draw their own conclusions.
You can use primary sources in various subjects. Try examining photos in art, analysing speeches in English or exploring census data in maths.
Year 5 and Year 6 pupils often benefit from comparing several sources to see how interpretations can vary.
Audio recordings and video content capture pupils’ attention and present diverse Black voices and stories.
BBC Teach offers Black History Month content with teacher notes for both primary and secondary levels. Their videos introduce key figures and events in ways children can understand.
Video resources suit visual learners and support pupils with different learning needs. Short clips can introduce topics, while longer documentaries allow deeper exploration for Year 6.
Podcasts and audio stories work well for listening activities or independent learning. You might pair video content with follow-up discussions or creative tasks to help children process what they’ve seen.
Teaching primary students about the Civil Rights Movement helps them see how people fought for equality through peaceful protest.
The Reconstruction Period shows the challenges African Americans faced after slavery ended.
The Great Migration reveals how millions moved north for better opportunities.
The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s stands out as a powerful chapter in African American history. Key Stage 2 pupils can really learn from this period.
Ordinary people stood up against unfair laws that kept Black and white Americans separated in schools, restaurants and buses.
Rosa Parks became famous in 1955 when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Alabama. Her action sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, where African Americans stopped using buses for over a year until the rules changed.
Dr Martin Luther King Jr led peaceful marches and delivered speeches calling for equal rights. His “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 still inspires people today.
Young students often connect with his idea of judging people by their character, not their skin colour.
The movement won major victories like the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which made discrimination illegal. Pupils can explore how children their own age joined protests, such as the Birmingham Children’s Crusade where students as young as seven marched for justice.
The Reconstruction Period ran from 1865 to 1877, just after the American Civil War ended slavery. African Americans gained new rights, including voting, owning property and receiving education for the first time.
Black men got elected to government during this era. Sixteen African Americans served in the US Congress, and many others became local officials.
These achievements showed what could happen when people had equal opportunities.
However, progress faced strong resistance. Many white Americans tried to limit African American rights through violence and unfair laws.
The Ku Klux Klan formed to terrorise Black communities and stop them from voting.
By 1877, Reconstruction ended as federal troops left the South. States then passed “Jim Crow” laws that separated Black and white people in nearly every part of daily life.
Learning about this period helps pupils see how rights can be gained and then lost, setting the stage for the Civil Rights Movement that came later.
Between 1916 and 1970, about six million African Americans moved from the South to cities in the North, Midwest and West. People call this the Great Migration.
Families left the South looking for better jobs in factories and to escape harsh segregation laws.
Cities like Chicago, Detroit, New York and Los Angeles saw their Black populations grow quickly. Pupils might find it surprising that whole communities moved together, bringing their culture, music and traditions.
This migration helped create lively African American neighbourhoods where jazz, blues and gospel music thrived. The Harlem Renaissance, a movement celebrating Black art and literature, grew out of this shift.
Migrants faced new challenges in Northern cities, such as overcrowded housing and job discrimination. Racism still existed, just in different forms.
Despite these obstacles, the Great Migration gave African Americans more economic opportunities and political power. It helped pave the way for the civil rights movement that followed.
Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat sparked a movement that changed America. Other civil rights leaders and local heroes also played important roles in the story of equality and justice.
Rosa Parks made history on 1 December 1955 when she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her arrest for this simple act became a turning point for the civil rights movement.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted 381 days. Black residents walked to work, organised carpools and refused to use the segregated bus system. This peaceful protest showed that ordinary people could stand up to unfair laws.
Parks was not just a tired seamstress, as some stories claim. She was an experienced activist who trained at the Highlander Folk School and served as secretary of her local NAACP chapter. Her action was both brave and deliberate.
Pupils can explore resources about Rosa Parks with reading passages and worksheets suitable for Key Stage 2. These materials help children see how one person’s courage can spark real change.
Martin Luther King Jr. led peaceful protests and delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. His focus on non-violent resistance helped end legal segregation in America.
Harriet Tubman escaped slavery and risked her life to lead others to freedom through the Underground Railroad. She made 13 dangerous trips and rescued about 70 enslaved people.
Other key figures include:
You can find teaching materials about these figures that work well for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils.
Your local area probably has its own Black history stories waiting to be discovered. Many UK cities had thriving Black communities long before the Windrush generation arrived in 1948.
Encourage pupils to research Black Britons who made a difference in their region. They might come across:
Contact your local museum or library for access to archives and photographs. Many offer school visits where children can handle historical documents and artefacts. This hands-on approach makes history feel real and meaningful for your class.
Teachers can weave Black history into maths, literacy, science and the arts. These approaches help pupils connect subjects and deepen their understanding of Black contributions in many fields.
You can bring Black history into maths lessons by looking at the work of pioneering mathematicians and scientists. Katherine Johnson’s calculations for NASA space missions are a great way to teach angles, trajectories and problem-solving.
Pupils in Key Stage 2 can try similar maths challenges, seeing how her work made space travel possible.
Measuring ingredients precisely links to George Washington Carver, who used careful measurements in his agricultural research. Year 3 and 4 pupils can work with fractions and ratios while learning about his crop innovations.
Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space, inspires science lessons on physics, astronomy and engineering. You might ask pupils to calculate distances between planets or investigate the forces in rocket launches.
These practical activities make abstract concepts more interesting and highlight important achievements.
Reading a wide range of books in February gives pupils a chance to see different perspectives and voices. Picture books suit Key Stage 1, while Year 5 and 6 pupils can try more complex texts about civil rights, migration or cultural heritage.
Poetry opens up another way in. Try sharing poems by Black British poets, or maybe even American writers like Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou. Pupils can write their own poems inspired by these voices, learning about rhythm, imagery and expression through English language activities.
Comprehension activities using historical speeches or autobiographical texts help pupils develop critical thinking. Year 4 pupils can study Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech, pick out persuasive techniques, and discuss its context. Biography projects let children research and present information about people they admire.
Music lessons fit Black history naturally, with genres like jazz, blues, gospel and reggae. Pupils might listen to Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald or Bob Marley while learning about rhythm, melody and improvisation. Year 2 classes could create their own rhythmic patterns inspired by African drumming.
Art projects can focus on Black artists such as Kehinde Wiley, Lubaina Himid or Jacob Lawrence. Pupils might recreate famous paintings, design portraits or make collages celebrating Black culture and identity. These activities develop fine motor skills and encourage creative expression.
Drama and role play help bring history to life. Teachers might stage tableaux of key events or ask pupils to perform short scenes about inspirational figures. These activities build confidence and empathy and help children understand different historical periods.
When families get involved, children connect more deeply with Black history at home and at school. Families can support learning through projects, classroom activities, and school events that celebrate Black British and global Black history.
Home learning projects let children explore Black history with their families. Set up research tasks where pupils investigate a Black British figure like Mary Seacole, Walter Tull or Floella Benjamin. Children can create a poster, fact file or short presentation to share with their class.
Family tree activities help pupils explore their own heritage and identity. Children can interview grandparents or relatives about family stories and traditions. This makes history feel personal and real.
Creative projects like cooking traditional foods from African or Caribbean cultures bring learning off the page. Families might try a recipe together and share photos or write about it. Art projects inspired by Black artists or cultural patterns also work well for Key Stage 1 and 2.
Parents and carers can take part in classroom learning during Black History Month. Invite family members to share stories, skills or cultural traditions with the class. These visits show children the diversity in their own school community.
Resources for celebrating difference offer lesson plans for Years 1, 3, 4 and 6 that families can use at home. Send home reading lists with age-appropriate books about Black history and culture. Many schools set up lending libraries so families can borrow books for free.
Regular updates help parents follow what children are learning. Share weekly newsletters with discussion questions families can use at dinner. LearningMole provides free curriculum-aligned videos that parents can watch with children to support classroom learning about historical figures and cultural topics.
Whole-school assemblies give everyone a chance to learn about Black history together. Organise performances where year groups share what they’ve learned through drama, music or poetry. Younger pupils pick up ideas from older students this way.
Exhibition days let families visit classrooms to see pupils’ work. Set up stations where children present research or demonstrate what they’ve learned. Some schools run family workshops where parents and children work together on art or cooking activities.
Cultural celebrations with music, food and storytelling make learning memorable. Invite local community members or performers to lead workshops in African drumming, Caribbean dance or storytelling. Pupils get more out of these events when you involve them in planning and running the activities.
Black history belongs in your teaching all year, not just for 28 days in February. Plan thoughtful lessons and develop curriculum units that naturally include Black British and global Black history in your everyday teaching.
Keep up the momentum by weaving Black history into your curriculum whenever you can. When teaching World War II in Year 6, include Caribbean soldiers who served in the Royal Air Force. In science lessons about space, talk about Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space.
Make a yearly calendar that highlights natural links across your subjects. Mark months for topics like the Windrush generation during citizenship or Mary Seacole during Victorian history. This helps Black history stay part of British history, not separate from it.
Celebrating Black history and culture beyond February means checking the books, sources and materials you use every day. Swap out outdated texts for ones with diverse voices and perspectives. Add Black British authors to your literacy rotations each term.
Try partnering with local cultural centres or museums for ongoing support. Many offer free workshops and resources designed for primary school children throughout the year.
Develop units that put Black history at the centre of your teaching, not as an add-on. For a Key Stage 2 history unit on the British Empire, plan lessons that look at the experiences of colonised peoples alongside traditional British history.
When creating these units, set learning objectives that match National Curriculum requirements but include different perspectives. A geography unit on migration might explore why Caribbean people migrated to Britain in the 1950s and 1960s. Maths lessons can feature word problems about Black British entrepreneurs and business leaders.
LearningMole has curriculum-aligned videos that support these units with engaging content for children aged 4 to 11. Design your units so each year group builds on the last, deepening understanding over time. Year 3 pupils might learn about key Black British individuals, while Year 6 students examine the impact of the transatlantic slave trade on modern Britain.
Add practical activities that build critical thinking. Children can study historical photographs, analyse sources or create presentations about Black British figures from your local area.
Primary school teachers often need quick answers about materials, activities and age-appropriate approaches for teaching Black History Month. These questions focus on practical concerns about resources, lesson plans and classroom implementation.
Primary schools can arrange assembly presentations where pupils share research about important Black British figures such as Mary Seacole or Marcus Rashford. Year groups can create artwork inspired by Black artists, perform poems by writers like Benjamin Zephaniah or learn songs that celebrate Black culture and history.
Drama activities suit both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Pupils might act out historical events or create plays based on stories they’ve learned. Role play helps younger children understand different perspectives and experiences.
Resources that cover art, history, music and PSHE offer cross-curricular options. Set up learning stations where small groups rotate through activities focused on achievements, inventions and cultural contributions.
Interactive displays get pupils involved. Create a “Did You Know?” board for children to post facts they find, or design a classroom timeline with key dates and people.
LearningMole provides curriculum-aligned video resources and teaching materials for children aged 4-11 that support Black History Month planning. The platform covers multiple subjects and fits alongside your history lessons.
Several educational sites offer free teaching resources and activities with printable worksheets and lesson materials. Many have resources for different year groups within primary school.
The Library of Congress shares primary source sets that teachers can use to bring real historical documents into the classroom. Pupils develop critical thinking by examining actual photographs, letters and documents.
Teacher resource sites often add new materials each year. Look for printables that include reading comprehension passages, colouring pages for younger pupils and fact files about significant individuals.
Start with picture books that present history in a way Key Stage 1 pupils can understand. Stories about real people help young children connect with history on a personal level.
Ask questions that get children thinking, not just remembering facts. Ask Year 2 pupils what similarities and differences they notice between themselves and historical figures. This helps children develop empathy and understanding.
For Key Stage 2, introduce complex topics gradually. Year 5 and 6 pupils can discuss inequality and social change when you use age-appropriate language and give proper context.
Keep the focus on achievements and contributions, not just hardship. Pupils need to see positive role models and hear about successes as well as challenges.
Teaching resources for primary schools often include worksheet packs covering key figures and events. These materials feature activities for different reading levels and abilities.
Find worksheets with reading passages followed by comprehension questions, vocabulary tasks and creative responses. This variety lets you cover multiple curriculum areas while teaching Black History Month content.
Differentiated worksheets help you support every learner. Some pupils might do matching activities while others write extended pieces about the same historical figure.
If you can’t find the right commercial resources, make your own worksheets using reliable sources. Add images, timelines and fact boxes to keep them visually interesting for primary-aged children.
Morning assemblies can share daily facts about Black history during February or October. Keep announcements short, focusing on one person or achievement each day to keep pupils interested.
Try weekly themes for school announcements, like “Inventors Week” or “Sports Heroes Week”. This helps everyone follow along and reinforces classroom learning.
Share information about school-wide activities or competitions for Black History Month. Announce poetry competitions, art exhibitions or special visitors coming to the school.
Let pupils present what they’ve learned in the announcements. Different year groups can share their work, making the content more engaging and giving pupils valuable speaking experience.
Printables, books, media and classroom ideas get regular updates from educational organisations. These resources highlight recent achievements and contemporary figures that pupils might actually recognise.
Recent lesson plans now show that Black history belongs in the everyday curriculum, not just for one month. Pupils start to see a fuller picture of history throughout the whole year.
Many schools use learning resources with suggested reading and videos that connect to current events and modern role models. Pupils can spot links between historical struggles and what’s happening now.
When you pick lesson plans, check they fit the National Curriculum for your year group. The best resources bring together history, literacy, citizenship and other subjects so you can make the most of each lesson.
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