Celebrate Black History Month with songs and stories

This February marks the 48th annual Black History Month. It is an extra opportunity to celebrate and highlight black stories, experiences, and perspectives. We think the “Let’s Celebrate Black History Song!” From Sesame Street is a great way to introduce young children to what this month is all about. Watch familiar friends Abby, Elmo, Gabrielle and Tamir sing how Black history is our history, and share inventions, accomplishments and contributions made by African Americans. Play this for your children or classroom as a catchy learning tool and to spark conversation and inspiration!

Craft for Black History Month – Mae Jemison’s Space Shuttle

Mae Jemison was the first African American woman in space when she traveled on the Endeavor space shuttle in 1992. The shuttle circled the Earth 127 times in 8 days! Honor her work and sense of adventure with a shuttle craft for all ages.

Supplies

• Colorful construction paper – blue for the background, white for the rocket, red/orange, yellow for flames
• Crayons
• Glue sticks
• Scissors

Assembly

• Fold the white sheet in half, long ways, and trace a rocket shape. Cut it out, unfold, and flatten it.
• Glue to rocket to the blue background.
• Cut flame shapes out of the fire-colored paper or draw using crayons.
• Add any other details, like clouds, and you’ve got it!

You can supplement the craft with another story of African Americans and space with the history of Hidden Figures: the True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race.

More Story Time

As we know, books have the power to educate, inspire, and transform. When children hear new ideas and see themselves reflected in the pages, they can see what is possible for their own lives. Here are two more suggestions for young learners.

Trombone Shorty is the true story of how Troy Andrews from New Orleans became a trombone prodigy and band leader at the age of 6!  

Listen along as author Karamo Brown reads his book “I Am Perfectly Designed.” The book was inspired by Brown’s own mantra that he passed down to his son. It tells the story of family bonds, growing up, shared features and adventures, and highlights the importance of sharing emotions.

For more on Black History Month, Learn about this year’s theme, “Rhythms of Resilience: One Soul, One Sound.”