Black History Month Research Project – Grades 3–5 | Social Studies & ELA Integration

Celebrate Black History Month with this engaging research project designed for upper elementary students! This activity blends social studies and language arts as students research influential African American figures, complete a guided biography worksheet, and create a meaningful presentation project — poster, bag, or flipbook.

Students will practice research, writing, and presentation skills while learning how individual stories shaped history.

What’s Included

• 2-hour detailed lesson plan (grades 3–5)
• Printable Student Research Worksheet
• Rubric for assessment (4-point scale)
• Answer key & sample (Rosa Parks example)
• List of age-appropriate historical figures
• Differentiation strategies for all learners
• Teacher notes for 3rd–5th grade adaptations

How It Works in the Classroom

• Introduce Black History Month with a short video or read-aloud
• Students select a historical figure and conduct guided research
• Choose one of three creative project formats:

Biography Poster
Biography in a Bag
Flipbook Project

• Share projects through mini-presentations or a classroom “museum walk”
• Perfect for centers, small groups, sub plans, or enrichment during February!

Standards & Learning Goals

Aligned to both Social Studies and ELA standards, focusing on:

• Research and comprehension of informational texts
• Note-taking and organization of biographical information
• Writing informative summaries
• Speaking and listening skills
• Visual presentation and creativity

Why Teachers Love It

• Cross-curricular integration (ELA + Social Studies)
• Student choice keeps learners motivated
• Differentiation built in for all ability levels
• Low prep – just print and go!
• Encourages critical thinking, creativity, and cultural awareness

Bring history to life this February with a meaningful, creative project your students will never forget!