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Explore African American Heritage with Target and the Smithonian Institution

Looking for a fun, free way to explore and celebrate African American history and culture in your classroom?

Target and the Smithsonian Institution have partnered to help teachers and students commemorate Black History Month with two free curricula:

Black Wings: African American Pioneer Aviators
Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits

The following sections include grade-appropriate lesson plans and related resources designed to inspire students of all abilities and backgrounds.

Download, share and prepare for an insightful and rewarding learning experience!

Subjects
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Speaking
Grades
K-2
Duration
1 Day

Black History Month Lesson Plans

Black Wings: Bessie Coleman

Introduce young students to the history of African American aviation through the story of Bessie Coleman, whose brief career as a stunt pilot in the early 1900s inspired a generation of black youth.

Let Your Motto Be Resistance: Sojourner Truth

Learn about an important figure in the history of civil rights in the United States, Sojourner Truth, by viewing and discussing a photograph of the storied abolitionist and women’s rights leader.

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Subjects
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Speaking
Grades
3-5
Duration
1 Day

Black History Month Lesson Plans | Grades 3-5

Black Wings: Bessie Coleman

Examine the life, career and cultural impact of Bessie Coleman, an African American stunt pilot in the early 1900s. Provide mid­to-late elementary students with a deeper understand­ing of Coleman's signifi­cance through selected readings and images.

Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits

View portraits of six individuals who personify the strength and pride of African American culture. Discuss the images, identify the subjects and discover their collective significance.

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Subjects
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Speaking
Grades
6-8
Duration
1 Day

Black History Month Lesson Plans | Grades 6-8

Black Wings: Overcoming Obstacles

Review vintage portraits and biographies of three early African American aviators. Discuss the obstacles overcome by each pioneer, and encourage students to explore and evaluate difficul­ties they've encountered in their own lives.

Let Your Motto Be Resistance: Icons

Examine portraits of five African American cultural icons. Engage students in a discussion of portraiture, and explore how subtle details—pose, facial expression, etc.—create a mood or otherwise intangible quality for the image.

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Subjects
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Speaking
Grades
9-12
Duration
1 Day

Black History Month Lesson Plans | Grades 9-12

Black Wings: Struggle and Accomplishment

Part one involves reading three brief biographies of early African American aviators and discussing the obstacles they overcame. In part two, students will examine and compare historical images and letters related to the struggles and accomplishments of black pioneer aviators.

Let Your Motto Be Resistance: Musicians

Engage students in a discussion of stereotypes, specifically as they may apply to black musicians today. Students will then examine portraits of celebrated musicians of other eras, and discuss the ways in which contemporary artists may be similar to (or different from) their forebears.

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Related Resources

  • Dream In Color 2008
    Celebrate diversity with lesson plans from Target's partnership with the Studio Museum in Harlem.
  • Teacher Resources
    Get inspired with tips and tools for teachers at the Target.com Resources for Teachers page.
  • Target Celebrates
    Four dreamers. One legacy. Learn more about Target's celebration of Black History Month.

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