Black History Month 2021 is here! Introduce your students to the works of notable African American authors with downloadable crossword puzzles, posters, and other complimentary ELA teaching resources, all available at the English Teacher's Free Library!
Free Posters
African American Literature Timeline Posters
This three-part poster series documents important events of African American literature from the 1500s to the modern era.
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AuthorSpeak: Alice Walker Poster
Bring Alice Walker’s unique literary vision to your classroom with this free poster.
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AuthorSpeak: Frederick Douglass Poster
The tenacity and wisdom of activist Frederick Douglass come to life in this free AuthorSpeak poster.
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AuthorSpeak: Octavia E. Butler Poster
Inspire your students to emulate Octavia E. Butler’s passion for writing with this free poster celebrating her achievements.
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AuthorSpeak: Ralph Ellison Poster
Display Ralph Ellison’s powerful words right in your classroom with this free AuthorSpeak poster.
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AuthorSpeak: Toni Morrison Poster
Celebrate the works of Toni Morrison with this free poster featuring motifs from her novel Beloved.
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AuthorSpeak: W. E. B. Du Bois Poster
Remember the legacy of W. E. B. Du Bois with this free poster featuring one of his most famous quotes on education.
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AuthorSpeak: Zora Neale Hurston Poster
Bring this legendary Harlem Renaissance writer’s unique wisdom to your classroom.
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Echoes From Literature: Frederick Douglass Poster
Remind students of Frederick Douglass’s powerful message of progress with this free poster.
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Free Crossword Puzzles
The Hate U Give Free Crossword Puzzle
Reviewing Angie Thomas’s powerful novel The Hate U Give is fun with this new free crossword puzzle.
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Invisible Man Free Crossword Puzzle
Make reviewing the issues addressed in Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man easier with this free crossword puzzle.
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A Raisin in the Sun Free Crossword Puzzle
Explore the importance of family and dreams with the help of this free crossword puzzle for A Raisin in the Sun.
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Their Eyes Were Watching God Free Crossword Puzzle
Remember key points of Zora Neale Hurston’s best-known work with this free crossword puzzle.
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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Free Crossword Puzzle
Download this crossword puzzle to review Frederick Douglass’s memoir that remains an influential piece of literature.
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Free How to Teach Guides
How to Teach The Autobiography of Malcolm X
The Autobiography of Malcolm X presents the incredible tale of Malcolm X's struggle for equality and civil justice.
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How to Teach Beloved
Spook and delight your high school students by teaching Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved.
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How to Teach Black Boy
Richard Wright’s eloquent account of his life in the Jim Crow South makes a great addition to any unit on autobiographies.
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How to Teach The Bluest Eye
Learn how to teach the complicated themes of race and beauty standards in Toni Morrison’s timeless novel.
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How to Teach Ghost
Running on relatable themes, Ghost is a surefire way to engage your students through a contemporary text.
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How to Teach The Hate U Give
Rich with literary merit and gripping social commentary, The Hate U Give will have your students eager to follow Starr Carter’s story.
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How to Teach Invisible Man
Ralph Ellison’s groundbreaking novel examines the neglectful relationship between African Americans and society in the 1930s.
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How to Teach A Lesson Before Dying
Race, inequality, and education are just some of the themes students will encounter in A Lesson Before Dying.
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How to Teach Monster
Court is in session: Learn everything you need to know about Walter Dean Myers's Monster with this free guide!
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How to Teach Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
An essential American work, Frederick Douglass’s narrative explores themes of freedom, race, and education.
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How to Teach Native Son
Richard Wright’s Native Son presents an unflinching depiction of institutionalized racism and its consequences.
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How to Teach The Other Wes Moore
Following the lives of two men with the same name, The Other Wes Moore presents lessons on nature versus nurture.
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How to Teach A Raisin in the Sun
Learn how to discuss and examine the important social issues presented in A Raisin in the Sun.
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How to Teach Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry makes the perfect book to encourage open conversations about racism and tolerance.
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How to Teach Tears of a Tiger
Students will appreciate Tears of a Tiger for its relatable characters and honest portrayal of teenage angst and depression.
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How to Teach Their Eyes Were Watching God
Learn how to relate the themes present in Zora Neale Hurston’s novel to modern personal and societal problems.
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How to Teach Warriors Don't Cry
Help your students understand a crucial event in American history by teaching Melba Pattillo Beals’s harrowing memoir.
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