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Resources related to Juneteenth

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. This holiday held annually on June 19 has roots dating back to 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, finally received word that the Civil War had ended and they were free—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. To help students grasp the profound significance of this pivotal moment in American history, we’re sharing educational resources that delve into Juneteenth's events and its impact on people then and now.

Grades K-12

America's Second Independence Day - Juneteenth

One hallmark of Juneteenth is its focus on education. Americans cannot discuss the significance of Juneteenth without having honest conversations about slavery in the United States. This TeachersFirst article provides books, activities, and lesson stems.

Grades 3-12

The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth

View this rich collection of articles, photographs, and educational resources that shed light on the events leading up to June 19, 1865, and this day's ongoing impact and celebration. This site also includes personal narratives and historical documents.

Grades 10-12

Lifting as We Climb Juneteenth Event

“Lifting as We Climb” is a recording of an hour-long conversation from June 2022 between author Evette Dionne and school librarian Julia Torres about Juneteenth, the battle for Black women to receive voting rights, and more.

Grades 8-12

Teaching Juneteenth

This article from Learning for Justice focuses on four perspectives on Juneteenth (culture as resistance, understanding emancipation, backlash to freedom, and American ideals) and discusses why each perspective is relevant to students.

Grades 2-8

What is Juneteenth, and Why is it Important?

Explore this interactive lesson and video presentation by TED-Ed. In addition to the animated video, this lesson includes multiple choice and short response questions, additional resources, and discussion questions you can use to dig deeper.

Grades K-12

All About the Holidays

This video collection teaches about the history and significance of several holidays. Click Summer Holiday Videos in the left sidebar menu, then click Juneteenth for links to standards, lesson plans, printables, and other resources.

Grades K-12

EDSITEment

EDSITEment offers lesson plans, media resources, and articles related to Juneteenth. To find these gems, type Juneteenth in the search box on the top right side of the main page. The lessons include activities, extensions, and links to more information.

Grades K-6

Understanding & Celebrating Juneteenth

The National Museum of African American History and Culture provides information and resources to support students' understanding of Juneteenth. Content includes the history of Juneteenth, age-appropriate discussions about slavery, and more.

Grades 8-12

Juneteenth

This site shares several teaching resources provided by The Gilder Lehrman Institute. These resources include a video conversation with an author of a book about Juneteenth, links to curated primary source documents, and a four-lesson teaching unit.

Grades K-12

Juneteenth Activities and Lesson Plans for Students

Teach, celebrate, and acknowledge Juneteenth using lesson plans and activities available for all grades. For example, the lesson plans for middle school include a persuasive writing activity, research writing, and creative writing projects.

This Week at TeachersFirst

You’re invited to apply to join the 2024 TeachersFirst Summer Book Study! We’re also sharing a blog post related to Juneteenth and an opportunity to join our team as a part-time consultant. Read the details below!