Did you know Oregon Black Pioneers has lesson plans that highlight the contributions of Black Oregonians?
One of the most common questions we are asked is “how can we ensure Black history is being taught in schools?” As a direct result of this community concern, we worked with teachers to create lesson plans based on our historical research.
Education is one of the cornerstones of our organization. In 1993, Salem-Keizer Public Schools’ newly-hired Deputy Superintendent Carole Davis founded Oregon Black Pioneers after discovering that area schools were not teaching students about Oregon’s Black history. Carole would be proud to know her passion has been put to good use: building our own lesson plans for students of all ages.
Our first original lesson plans were produced in 2021. Using the robust sources from our archive, we partnered with like-minded teachers and organizations to produce multi-day lessons on Oregon’s Black history. Our lessons provide inquiry-based explorations to support critical thinking for students of all ages
Our goal for these lessons was to create learning materials which tell a more inclusive story of Oregon history, and to celebrate our state’s diverse cultural heritage. Our education partners helped ensure that all of our lessons are aligned with state social studies and ethnic studies standards.
Here are the lesson plans which we currently offer:
Elementary School
The Letitia Carson Story
Written by Sarah MacPherson, Sacramento Elementary, with Zachary Stocks, Oregon Black Pioneers, and Dr. Bob Zybach, Oregon Websites & Watersheds Project, Inc.
Black Pioneers on the Oregon Trail
A collaboration between Oregon Black Pioneers and The Arbor School of Arts and Sciences.
Written by Lauren Kristensen, Arbor Center for Teaching, and Zachary Stocks, Oregon Black Pioneers.
Middle School
Black Explorers in Oregon
A collaboration between Oregon Black Pioneers and Salem-Keizer School District. Written by Dean Wright, Judson Middle School and Zachary Stocks, Oregon Black Pioneers.
Oregon’s Black Exclusion Era
A collaboration between Oregon Black Pioneers and Salem-Keizer School District. Written by Dean Wright, Judson Middle School, and Zachary Stocks, Oregon Black Pioneers.
Racing to Change: Oregon’s Civil Rights Years
A collaboration between Oregon Historical Society and Oregon Black Pioneers. Written by Emilie Krutzik, Oregon Historical Society, and Zachary Stocks, Oregon Black Pioneers.
High School
Oregon’s Black History
A collaboration between Oregon Black Pioneers and Salem-Keizer School District. Written by Lynsey Turner, North Salem High School, and Zachary Stocks, Oregon Black Pioneers.
Racing to Change: Oregon’s Civil Rights Years
A collaboration between Oregon Historical Society and Oregon Black Pioneers. Written by Emilie Krutzik, Oregon Historical Society, and Zachary Stocks, Oregon Black Pioneers.
Download any or all of our lesson plans for free! You can also browse our online exhibits, keep up with the latest news, and hire us to speak at events. From Maps to Projects to Collections, it’s all here!