Black History Month is a powerful opportunity to celebrate and honor the contributions of African Americans throughout history. In my classroom, I wanted to go beyond simply reading about historical figures— although I do LOVE to do that! I wanted my students to actively engage in research, writing, and presenting their learning in a meaningful way. This Black History Research Project turned out to be an incredible experience that fostered student engagement, critical thinking, and pride in their work.
How the Project Works
This project is designed to guide students through the process of researching an influential African American, organizing their findings, writing a biography, and publishing their work for a beautiful classroom display. It’s a print-and-go resource that includes:
- A checklist to help students stay on track
- Two graphic organizers for gathering research
- A publishing page that makes a great bulletin board display
- A rubric for easy grading and self-assessment
Engaging Students in Research
To kick off the project, I introduced students to a variety of African Americans from different fields—music, sports, politics, science, and the arts. Students could choose a figure they were excited to learn about or select one at random from a hat.
Over the next few days, they used books, websites, and videos to gather information using their graphic organizers. This step was key in helping students learn how to take notes, find key details, and organize information—valuable research skills they will use throughout their education.
Writing and Publishing Biographies
Once students gathered their information, they used their notes to draft a summary about their chosen figure, ensuring they included important details such as challenges faced and the impact their person had on the world. After peer editing and revisions, they published their final biographies on the included publishing page, which we proudly displayed in the classroom.
Why This Project is a Win for Teachers
This project is not only highly engaging for students but also easy to differentiate for different learning levels. It supports literacy skills, research skills, and historical awareness all in one. Plus, since it follows a step-by-step process, students build confidence in their writing and research abilities.
A Perfect Introduction to Biographies
One of my favorite aspects of this project is that it naturally leads into our next unit: Women’s History Month! Since students have already practiced researching and writing biographies, they are well-prepared to dive into learning about influential women in history. This continuity helps them refine their writing skills while reinforcing the importance of celebrating diverse historical contributions year-round.
This Black History Research Project has truly been one of my favorite ways to make history come alive in the classroom. If you’re looking for an engaging, meaningful way to celebrate Black History Month while building students’ research and writing skills, this project is a must-try!
