$5 - $10 Higher Education Black History Month Activities (by date, oldest first)

This activity features an engaging escape room in which students tackle 5 puzzles covering plot, characters, and quotes from Alice Walker's The Color Purple.

There is no wonder why escape rooms are so popular; they are highly engaging and encourage people to work together and think creatively in order to solve different puzzles... all while trying to beat the clock! This meticulously-crafted resource features all of the materials you need to conduct a full-length Escape Room for The Color Purple by Alice Walker. Planning an escape room may seem like quite the daunting task (and it is!), but this product provides everything from the basics and set-up instructions to signs and answer keys so that yours runs smoothly from start to finish. The activity involves movement, energy, creative thinking and most of all, collaboration. Because this is a skills-based escape room, it is the perfect way to review the novel for the final quiz or test.

How does it work?

In this escape room, students must escape the classroom by solving 5 different skills-based puzzles, completing a secret message, and finding clues along the way.

• Crossword: In the first task, students must complete a crossword puzzle about plot events, characters, quotes, and story details from The Color Purple.
• Guess Who: In the second task, students match characters with their descriptions.
• Quote Me On This: In the third task, students must match characters with their notable quotes from the novel.
• Pop Quiz: In the fourth task, students must answer multiple choice questions about the story.
• Jig Saw Quote: In the fifth and final task, students must complete a jig saw puzzle that reveals a quote from The Color Purple. Students must write down the quote and show it to you to escape.

Product Includes:

- Escape Room Basics

- Detailed Day-Of Instructions

- Escape Room Print Checklist

- Student Teams Chart

- Materials for 5 Tasks: task signs, task instructions, and supplementary materials to be kept at stations

- Student Answer Sheet

- Teacher Answer Keys

- Escape Room Reflection for homework or in-class writing activity

- Theme Reflection for homework assignment or in-class writing activity

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Civil Rights Heroes & History: A Bundle of Engaging Reading Comprehension Activities

This compelling bundle offers 11 captivating reading comprehension activities that bring the Civil Rights Movement to life for your students.
Uncover the inspiring stories and enduring legacies of iconic figures like Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and countless others who bravely fought for equality.

Explore pivotal moments like the Freedom Rides, the Brown v. Board decision, and the March on Washington, gaining a deeper understanding of the movement's impact on American history.

Engage your students with:

• Informative reading passages packed with historical context and captivating details.
• Primary source analysis of speeches, news articles, and other firsthand accounts.
• Thought-provoking questions that encourage critical thinking, discussion, and reflection.
• Multiple choice, true or false, fill in the blank, and short answer formats to assess comprehension at various levels.
• Detailed answer keys for self-assessment and guided discussions.

Let's explore the powerful stories within:

1. From Bus Boycott to Beloved Icon: Decoding Rosa Parks' Legacy:

This activity goes beyond the Montgomery Bus Boycott, exploring Rosa Parks' lifelong activism, leadership, and enduring impact on the movement.

2. Dream Big, Fight Fierce: Malcolm X's Radical Voice for Equality:

Students will examine Malcolm X's life philosophy, analyzing his critiques of American society and his calls for self-determination.

3. Beyond Marches: Dr. King's Legacy of Love and Justice:

This activity delves into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s commitment to nonviolence, social justice, and systemic change, analyzing excerpts from his speeches and exploring his lesser-known campaigns.

4. Freedom Rides: Risking Everything for Change:

The story of the Freedom Rides unfolds, highlighting the courage of participants and the impact on desegregation efforts. Students will create timelines, analyze firsthand accounts, and discuss the significance of nonviolent resistance.

5. Selma: A Defining Moment in the March for Equality:

This activity examines the Selma to Montgomery marches, analyzing primary sources and comparing Selma to other pivotal events to understand its lasting impact on voting rights.

6. Brown v. Board: Breaking the Walls of Segregation:

Students will delve into the landmark Brown v. Board case, analyzing the legal arguments and historical context, while researching the experiences of the Little Rock Nine and the ongoing fight for educational equity.

7. From Lunch Counters to Sit-Ins: The Power of Youth Activism:

This comprehensive activity highlights the role of young people in the movement, showcasing their courage and impact through sit-ins and other forms of protest. Students will learn about specific youth activists, analyze speeches, and discuss the importance of youth involvement in social change.

8. Freedom's Song: Music as a Weapon in the Civil Rights Struggle:

Explore the power of music in the movement, analyzing anthems like "We Shall Overcome" and artists like Nina Simone. Students will analyze lyrics and historical context of protest songs, understanding how music served as a powerful tool for change.

9. From "I Have a Dream" to Action: The Enduring Legacy of the March on Washington:

This activity examines the historical context, key figures, and lasting impact of the March on Washington, with emphasis on Dr. King's iconic speech and its call to action. Students will analyze primary sources, compare the March to other pivotal moments, and discuss its relevance to contemporary social justice movements.

10. The Long Road to Voting Rights: From Segregation to Empowerment:

This resource explores the historical struggle for voting rights for Black Americans, highlighting key milestones, discriminatory tactics like Jim Crow laws, and ongoing challenges to voter suppression. Students will analyze timelines, primary sources, and discuss the importance of protecting voting rights.

11. The Civil Rights Movement:

This resource provides a broader context for the movement, encompassing additional figures, events, and ongoing issues related to social justice.

12. The Black Panther Party:

This resource discusses the political movement advocating for self-defense and social justice.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the historical context, motivations, and key figures of the Civil Rights Movement.
• Evaluate primary sources to understand the perspectives and experiences of individuals involved in the movement.
• Analyze the effectiveness of different strategies employed by Civil Rights activists.
• Explore the impact of landmark events and legislation on the fight for equality.
• Recognize the ongoing relevance of the Civil Rights Movement in contemporary struggles for social justice.

Common Core Standards Alignment:

• RI.5.1: Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
• RI.5.2: Determine the central ideas or author's purpose of a text and explain how it is developed.
• RI.5.3: Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic.
• RI.5.8: Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support a point of view.
• SS.5.US.3: Explain the impact of key events and individuals on the Civil Rights Movement.

Expand your students' understanding of this critical chapter in American history and empower them to become informed and engaged citizens!

Ready to unlock your students' critical thinking potential?

Explore my store for a treasure trove of reading comprehensions that tackle diverse themes and inspire insightful discussions. From captivating historical journeys to mind-bending scientific discoveries, there's something to enrich every learner! Support a fellow educator and get rewarded!

Purchase this resource, leave a review, and earn TeachShare credits you can use on any product on the platform. Your feedback helps others and benefits you too!

Sources

This 8-reading worksheet bundle delves into various aspects of ancient Ghana, offering a comprehensive and engaging exploration of this fascinating West African civilization. Each reading focuses on a specific theme, including:

• Leadership and legacy: Uncover the stories of iconic rulers like Tenkamenin and Queen Amina, analyzing their economic reforms, military prowess, and cultural impact.
• Thriving economy: Journey through bustling trade routes, understand the role of gold dust as currency, and explore the lives of farmers, traders, and slaves within the Ghanian economic system.
• Daily life and culture: Unravel the tapestry of everyday life in Ghana, from the grandeur of the royal palace to the simplicity of village huts, examining architecture, fashion, food, and religious practices.
• Clash of faiths and fall: Witness the historical context of the Almoravid invasion, analyze the impact of Islam on Ghanaian society, and understand the consequences of the Battle of Beth Koufo.
• Beyond gold: Step away from the mines and delve into the vibrant world of children's games, traditional crafts like pottery and weaving, and vibrant festivals that enriched Ghanaian culture.
• Majesty of kings and queens: Unmask the lives of royalty, explore their daily routines and responsibilities, and discover the role of griots in preserving history and cultural identity.
• Warriors and raiders: Embark on trade routes with the Ghana army, learn about their weapons and training, and understand their role in protecting the kingdom's prosperity.
• Treasures of the lost city: Unearth the mysteries of ancient Ghana through archaeological discoveries, explore the lost city of Djenné-Djenno, and appreciate the ongoing efforts to reconstruct the kingdom's history.

Review:

• Variety of topics: The diverse range of readings ensures students gain a well-rounded understanding of ancient Ghana, going beyond the typical focus on gold and trade.
• Engaging narrative: The vivid storytelling and primary source excerpts bring history to life and spark students' curiosity.
• Interactive activities: Multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer questions, and creative prompts like map activities and writing exercises offer different avenues for assessment and solidify learning.
• Differentiation: The varying difficulty levels within each reading and the diverse activities cater to different learning styles and abilities.
• Common Core Standards alignment: The resource clearly outlines how it aligns with relevant Common Core Standards, making it easy for teachers to integrate it into their curriculum.

Ignite Critical Thinking and Informed Debate with 11 Essential Current Events Worksheets

Bring current events to life in your classroom with this comprehensive bundle of 10 engaging and thought-provoking worksheets!
Key features:

• Explore 11 crucial issues shaping today's world: Gun control, immigration, abortion, housing market,social security, cybersecurity, political polarization, racial justice, voting rights, climate change, and education.
• Engage students with a variety of activities: Multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer questions foster critical thinking and analysis.
• Incorporate diverse perspectives: Primary sources provide authentic insights and encourage informed debate.
• Boost critical thinking and argumentation skills: Students learn to analyze arguments, form opinions, and participate in respectful discussions.
• No-prep, easy implementation: Answer keys included for quick assessment.
• Aligned with current events, social studies, and civics standards:

Empower students to navigate complex issues, analyze diverse viewpoints, and become informed citizens!

Download this bundle today and spark meaningful conversations in your classroom!

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