High School Lesson Plans for Black History

African American Cuisine Inquiry

How does food tell the story of a people? In this inquiry unit, students will explore the ways in which food serves as a source of cultural pride, resilience, and expression within the African American experience. Beginning with the roots of African American foodways through the challenges of slavery, migration, and the Civil Rights Movement. The unit culminates in a multimedia Google Earth project, where students will map and narrate the culinary journey of African Americans, showcasing the deep connections between food, identity, and cultural evolution.

Designed for high school, this 7-lesson unit is adaptable for late elementary and middle school classrooms, with additional resources and strategies provided for differentiation. Activities include analyzing recipes as historical texts, mapping migration patterns, and exploring food as symbol of resistance and solidarity. This interdisciplinary approach integrates history, cultural studies, and technology, engaging students in critical inquiry and fostering an appreciation for the role of food in shaping cultural identity.

Appalachian Folk Music & the African Diaspora

How has the African Diaspora uniquely influenced the sound and story of Appalachian music?Students investigate the African diaspora by exploring its impact on Appalachian folk music.

Black Appalachian Voices

Who can speak for Black Appalachians? Students investigate Black Appalachian identity and the Affrilachian movement.

Black Jockeys & Jim Crow

How did Black jockeys shape Kentucky’s horse racing tradition? Students investigate the historical significance of Black jockeys in Kentucky horse racing, their early dominance and expertise in the sport, and the subsequent marginalization they faced despite their contributions.

Celebrity Athletes and Social Responsibility

This high school lesson plan invites students to explore the relationship between Black athletes and activism. Through a combination of texts, multimedia resources, and class discussions, students will examine whether Black athletes—such as Muhammad Ali—have a responsibility to advocate for justice and equity. The lesson fosters critical thinking about the roles and influence of public figures, encouraging students to consider how sports and activism can intersect to drive social change.

Dear Martin (aka Dr. King) a novel by Nic Stone

As students embark on our book study of “Dear Martin” by Nic Stone, the focus will be on answering the discussion questions clearly and thoughtfully; and sharing ideas. Also, it’s encouraged to engage with your classmates by responding to at least one other post; you can share your thoughts, ask questions, or connect your own experiences. Through actively answering questions and engaging in responses, we can create a collaborative environment that fosters meaningful discussions on teaching empathy and promoting cultural awareness.

Intersectionality & Kentucky’s Civil Rights Movement

Students investigate the Civil Rights Movement, in Kentucky and nationally, to consider the extent to which they think sexism/classism may have impacted the state-level movement. Students explore the role of intersectionality in activism, particularly considering how discrimination—or other divisions—can harm cooperation and/or social movements. By applying this analysis to a modern movement, they can consider how to bridge divides in order to foster community across difference.

How Should We Tell the Story of Busing?

This lesson invites students to explore the complexities of court-ordered busing in Louisville, Kentucky, during the mid-1970s. Centered on the theme of perspective, the lesson challenges students to critically examine diverse primary sources—including photographs, interviews, editorials, and video footage—related to the 1975–1976 implementation of busing for school desegregation. Working in small groups, students use a graphic organizer to chart key insights, engage in thoughtful discussion, and ultimately select and rank the sources they believe best tell the story of this controversial and transformative period in American education. The lesson is adaptable to a variety of classroom needs and learning styles.

How did My Old Kentucky Home reflect and shape attitudes about race and identity in 19th century Kentucky–and what does that legacy mean today?

This lesson invites students to critically examine the history and legacy of the song “My Old Kentucky Home.” Through an exploration of its lyrics, historical context, and evolving interpretations, students will gain insight into how music can reflect, reinforce, or challenge cultural values over time. The lesson encourages thoughtful discussion about race, nostalgia, and the power of public memory—highlighting how a state song can carry complex and sometimes uncomfortable truths about American history.

Segregation & Sundown Towns in Kentucky

Students explore different systems of oppression in Jim Crow Kentucky, looking at sundown towns, but also other forms of racial oppression. A sundown town is a municipality or neighborhood in the United States that was or is all-white and practices racial segregation. The term comes from signs that would direct people of color to leave town by sundown. Sundown towns used intimidation, violence, and discriminatory local laws to exclude nonwhites.