Student Activities for Black History 9-12
Classroom Exercise for Grades 9-12
Students can choose an important person from history and do a storyboard biography about them and their contribution to equality and/or society. They could also analyze Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech.
Read Barack Obama’s 2004 Democratic Convention keynote address, “The Audacity of Hope”, and MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Have students create a storyboard depicting any of the following:
- Explanation of three important quotes
- Analysis of the rhetoric (one or both speeches)
- Venn Diagram looking at similarities and differences
- purpose/audience/delivery
- reception from or effect on the public
- message about community or cooperation
![Black History Month - MLK's "I Have a Dream" Speech](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-srcsets/rebeccaray/martin-luther-king-s--i-have-a-dream--speech.png "Black History Month - MLK's "I Have a Dream" Speech")
Additional Black History Month Activities for 9-12
- Create biography posters of a figure that students research. See more biography activities.
- Create a timeline of the Jim Crow Laws.
- Read and create storyboards for The Color Purple or other relevant pieces of literature.
- Seek out current events articles regarding equality or racism to contrast with racism in the past. Students can use a three-cell storyboard as a Venn diagram.
- Have students create a poster explaining an invention created by a Black person.
Related Storyboard That Resources
History
- Atlantic Slave Trade
- The Missouri Compromise of 1820
- 1850s America
- The American Civil War
- Presidency of Abraham Lincoln
- Emancipation Proclamation
- Reconstruction Era
- Civil Rights Movement
- Voting Rights
Literature
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Their Eyes Were Watching God
- A Raisin in the Sun
- The Color Purple
- "Dreams"
- "Blues Ain't No Mockin Bird"
- "On Being Brought from Africa to America"
- "Letter from a Birmingham Jail"
- "Women"
- All American Boys
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
How Tos about Black History Resources 9-12
Engage younger students with impactful Black History Month activities in grades 2–8
Discover age-appropriate ways to teach Black History Month by using storytelling, visual aids, and interactive projects. Tailoring activities for younger learners helps foster understanding and respect in an accessible way.
Choose a central theme or figure for your lesson
Select a historical figure or theme (e.g., equality, resilience, inventions) that resonates with students. Focusing your lesson provides clarity and sparks curiosity.
Use read-alouds and picture books to introduce key concepts
Pick diverse literature or biographies suitable for your grade level. Reading together sets the stage for discussion and helps students connect emotionally.
Create collaborative storyboards or posters as a class project
Guide students to illustrate important moments or achievements using drawings, cutouts, or digital tools. Working together builds engagement and reinforces learning.
Facilitate reflection and sharing
Encourage students to present their projects and discuss what they learned. Celebrating each voice deepens understanding and builds classroom community.
Frequently Asked Questions about Black History Resources 9-12
What are some engaging Black History Month activities for high school students?
Black History Month activities for high school students include creating biography posters of influential figures, analyzing historic speeches like Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream," making timelines of events such as Jim Crow Laws, discussing current events about equality, and building storyboards for literature like The Color Purple.
How can I use storyboards to teach about equality and civil rights in my classroom?
Storyboards are a visual tool to help students organize thoughts and analyze key events or speeches. Teachers can have students storyboard biographies, compare historic and modern views on equality, or illustrate rhetorical devices in speeches, making abstract concepts more concrete and engaging.
What is an example of a lesson using Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech?
A lesson example is having students read "I Have a Dream," identify three important quotes, analyze the rhetoric using ethos, pathos, and logos, and create a Venn diagram comparing the speech to others like Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope." This promotes critical thinking and discussion.
Where can I find ready-to-use resources for teaching Black History Month in grades 9-12?
You can find ready-to-use resources such as lesson plans, biography templates, and literature guides on educational websites like Storyboard That. These include activities for major historical events, civil rights topics, and literature relevant to Black History Month.
How do I help students compare historical and modern perspectives on racism?
Have students research current events about equality, then use a three-cell storyboard or Venn diagram to contrast these with historical examples of racism. This helps students see changes over time and fosters meaningful classroom discussions.
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