I’m guessing you’re here because you’re looking for Black History Month bulletin board ideas.
But if you’re short on time, I have a research project and bulletin board set already done for you!
➡️ Click here to learn more about the Black History Month Bulletin Board and Biography Set.
If you have 5 minutes, stick around to read the rest – because you’ll find loads of ideas and a ton of inspiration in this article!
Why It’s Important to Integrate Black History into the Classroom All Year
Teaching students about historical figures is always beneficial.
It helps them learn stories and lessons from the past, and appreciate all of the work done in the past to help us all have what we do today.
Black history is American history.
In the United States, we have a responsibility to teach about important people throughout history – because the unique tapestry of stories, events, and people is what makes our shared history so rich.
Plus, the accomplishments and stories of these individuals are just incredible.
We have so much to learn from these incredible people
Figures like Rosa Parks, George Washington Carver, and Wilma Rudolph teach students about the importance of standing up for justice, pushing the boundaries of science, and pursuing dreams despite challenges.
➡️ Click here to learn more about the Black History Month Bulletin Board and Biography Set.
Why It’s So Difficult to Find and Choose Materials
Finding the right resources can be so hard.
You want to find reliable sources for text – and, you want resources that are both meaningful and easy to use.
It’s definitely a challenge.
One tip I recommend is helping your students find and interpret primary sources!
Help them truly become historians as they dig through stories, and look for first-person accounts from these historical figures.
I also have this bulletin board set to save you time!
With 31 engaging biographies and a bulletin board display to match, this resource has everything you need to bring powerful stories into your classroom.
Each passage highlights the life of an influential African American, from early pioneers like Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass to modern figures like Barack Obama and Ruby Bridges.
Not only do these passages help students with reading comprehension and summarizing, but they also give students a deeper appreciation of the contributions made by these amazing people.
The project includes everything for a vibrant classroom display, so students can add each person to the bulletin board as they learn about them.
By the end, you’ll have a colorful, student-built tribute to these incredible history-makers.
➡️ Click here to learn more about the Black History Month Bulletin Board and Biography Set.
Why We Need to Combine Fun and Functional
As an educator myself, I know how hard it can be to set aside time for your social studies block.
The resources we choose to use in our classroom need to cover standards – and help students develop skills they’ll use across multiple disciplines.
That’s why the project I created isn’t just a decorative bulletin board!
This is a research project that doubles as a bulletin board that students can decorate.
You can place it in the hallway, so other classes can learn too – or keep it in your room, and make it part of a gallery walk activity.
Black History Month Bulletin Board Ideas
Here are a few more creative ideas to turn an otherwise standalone activity, into a multidisciplinary project:
Reading Comprehension
Each biography provides students with a chance to read for detail and understand historical context.
They’ll learn about each figure’s life, challenges, and achievements, practicing skills like identifying main ideas, understanding sequence, and connecting events to broader themes in history. By engaging with these real-life stories, students practice reading in a way that’s meaningful and memorable.
Summarizing and Note-Taking
With each biography, students summarize key points, which builds their ability to identify important information and capture it in their own words.
Summarizing is a powerful skill that helps students not only remember details but also understand the bigger picture. By putting together these summaries, students can see the collective impact of these figures over time.
Critical Thinking and Reflection
Learning about each figure’s contributions gives students a chance to reflect on themes like bravery, perseverance, and community impact.
The project includes discussion prompts to encourage students to think about how these individuals changed the world and to discuss these ideas with their classmates.
This reflection deepens their understanding of the significance of each figure’s life and legacy.
Creating a Class Display
As students add each person to the bulletin board, they’re creating a visual representation of what they’re learning.
This interactive element keeps them engaged and allows them to take ownership of the display, seeing it grow and evolve with each biography they read.
It also reinforces their learning by giving them a hands-on way to review and remember each figure they’ve studied.
Other Creative Black History Month Bulletin Board Ideas
Whenever you do a bulletin board project with your class, you have the choice of making it as long or as short as you’d like.
If you’re looking to extend or add enrichment to your project, here are more ideas!
Create a “History Wall” in Your Classroom
Dedicate a prominent bulletin board or wall space as your classroom’s “History Wall,” where students add each biography as they study it.
Display the printable portraits and labels for each figure, and add student summaries beneath each one.
As more figures are added, the board will fill up with faces and facts, creating a visual reminder of what students have learned so far. The History Wall becomes a “living” display that grows with their learning and can be revisited throughout the year.
Highlight a New Figure Each Week
Focus on one person per week, where students read, discuss, and summarize a single biography.
Use the discussion prompts to encourage students to think about the figure’s life and contributions, and then add the completed summary to the display.
By spreading the project over several weeks, you give students time to dive deeper into each person’s story, which helps reinforce comprehension and retention.
Set Up Reflection and Discussion Stations
After reading each biography, have students visit “reflection stations” where they can respond to questions or write about what they learned.
You can provide question cards with prompts like, “What impact did this person make?” or “How did this person show bravery?”
Students can then share their responses with the class, adding an element of collaborative learning and deepening their engagement.
Use Art to Make It Personal
Encourage students to create their own portraits or drawings inspired by each historical figure.
For example, after learning about Ruby Bridges, students could create artwork that represents courage or resilience.
Display these alongside the printed portraits, giving the bulletin board a personal touch and making it feel like a student-driven project.
This creative component also helps students connect more deeply with each figure’s story.
Create a “History Yearbook”
As students complete each biography, have them add their summaries to a personal “History Yearbook” or binder.
By the end of the year, each student will have their own collection of figures, summaries, and reflections.
The yearbook serves as both a keepsake and a valuable review tool, giving students a sense of accomplishment and pride in what they’ve learned.
These strategies make the Black History Month Bulletin Board and Biography Project more than just a display; they turn it into an interactive experience that engages students at every step.
With these setups, students take ownership of their learning, bringing the achievements of historical figures to life in a way they’ll remember.
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