Beyond February: Teaching Black History Any Day, Every Day, and All Year Long, K-3

“If you yourself did not have a robust Black history education and your curriculum does not center Black histories, you may be asking yourself questions like ‘Where do I begin?’ and ‘What if I mess up?’ If you feel this way, you are not alone.” So says James in the introduction of this book on moving educators and students past Black History Month. This practical guide includes suggestions for topics, people, and events, and how to go about including them in the curriculum. Many examples encourage readers to expand beyond commonly covered Black Americans, such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. What about Claudette Colvin? George Fletcher? James Hemings? Which of these people popularized macaroni and cheese in America is an attention-grabbing topic, but this is also a thoughful and serious work. James’s book includes photos, resources, and graphic organizers for teachers and students. Suggested video clips and QR codes are also listed, which makes this easy for educators to use, and “Teacher Tips” are featured in easy-to-find graphics. The author allows readers a peek into her classroom for examples of centers, integrating arts, and teaching Black history in thematic units. Back matter includes a full index and a valuable list of recommended books.