During Black History Month, it's important to look back and remember the African Americans that have contributed to society and culture. Whether it was their refusal to give up their seat on the bus, their empowering speeches, or their athletic ability in an all-white sport, there are many icons we have to thank.
In this activity you and your child will learn about the African Americans that changed history in a fun quiz format. They may even want to put a twist on the activity by making up their own quiz, and testing you! This will help encourage their critical thinking skills and writing skills as they create, fill out, and grade each quiz.
What You Need:
- paper
- pencil or pens
- African American Icon Facts (see list at the bottom)
What You Do:
- Start this activity by going over the list at the bottom of this page. Talk to your child about each African American's contribution to history. Feel free to also research more icons online or at your local library.
- Ask your child to close her eyes while you quickly write up the quiz. Number the left hand side of the paper one through ten, and then put one name next to each number. Try to space the names out enough so that the list runs the full length of the paper.
- On the right hand side of the paper you will then list the letters A through G (or enough letters to correspond with the number of people on the left hand side) and then begin to write what contribution each person gave to history. Be sure to mix them up a bit so, that your child will have to test her matching skills.
- Ask your child to draw a line from a numbered person to a lettered contribution. Encourage her to remember as best she can. Give her hints if she struggles.
- Once your child is done you will both refer back to the original sheet of paper with the answers on it. If they scored low, offer to make another quiz and test their memory again.
- Your child might find it fun to then make a quiz for you and see how well you score!
African American Icon Facts:
- Barack Obama - first African American president
- Martin Luther King Jr. - prominent civil rights leader who wrote the memorable 'I Have a Dream Speech'
- Harriet Tubman - led many slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad
- Rosa Parks - refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white man
- Jackie Robinson - first African American to play in the previously whites only Major Baseball League
- George Washington Carver - former slave who was a great scholar, teacher, and scientist. He discovered how to use and make many peanut products, including peanut butter
- Frederick Douglass - major black rights activist working to help free slaves; he then became a high ranking member of the government and was the first African American elected to such a prominent status
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