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Welcome to a 365-day journey of American Black History. This collection, produced by Caterpillar Curriculum Co., is designed to spark meaningful discussion, encourage curiosity, and invite deeper exploration for learners in grades 3–12—throughout the year and especially during Black History Month. Rather than rushing through history, these workbooks are intentionally structured so that one or two pages may be explored each day. Families and educators are encouraged to pause,

The history of enslavement is one of brutality, loss, and injustice. That truth is not denied here. At the same time, History is also clear on something else: enslaved people were human beings , and human beings do not live every moment in despair, even under extreme oppression. Food, children, and shared moments have always had the power to lift spirits , even in the hardest conditions. ⸻ For enslaved families, preparing food was rarely about pleasure alone. It was about sur

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) helps us understand the deep psychological damage of slavery and gives parents and educators a guide for how to teach without dominating. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) says that all humans need three things to grow in a healthy way: Autonomy – choice and control over one’s life Competence – the ability to learn skills and feel capable Relatedness – connection, belonging, and dignity These needs are not cultural preferences. They are psycholog

Teaching American History across a racial divide is a challenge—one we don’t take lightly. Black and White parents often carry different burdens when approaching American History, but the weight can be heavy for both. Black and White Americans share a deeply intertwined history. From the earliest days of Colonial America, Black and White lives were woven together—often through force. When connections were formed through labor, land, law, family structures, religion, and the e

Parents become librarians, editors, researchers, and quiet gatekeepers of their children’s inner worlds. Every book pulled from a shelf, every story read aloud, every documentary queued up is a deliberate choice: Does this align with our values? How will this affect our child? How will these voices shape how they see themselves and others? That kind of curation takes time—real time. Late-night reading after the house is quiet. Pausing mid-chapter to ask, Is this right for the

We believe children deserve thoughtful ( curated ) History that does not avoid difficult topics, but intentionally teaches children without dwelling on violence or presenting trauma as the central story. We focus on culture, daily life, creativity, resistance, and resilience alongside historical realities. Much of the American Black History content available today—books, documentaries, films, and even classroom resources—were created for adults. These materials often include:

Although the writing style and content are not intended for children, if it were carefully framed in an age-appropriate way and approached with adult guidance   Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary book: Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing is one of the most influential books for understanding how historical trauma affects Black communities . Dr. DeGruy explains that the trauma of chattel slavery—followed by centuries of systemic racism—did not en

We recognize that the term “Honest History” can feel controversial—not because facts don’t exist, but because humans decide which facts are taught, emphasized, minimized, or ignored. Power, access to education, literacy, safety, and social status have always shaped whose stories were written down and preserved, and whose were dismissed or erased. Historians widely agree that History is not static. It evolves as new evidence is uncovered, as voices long excluded are finally in

365 Days of American Black History Is Not a Political Statement. When children learn about George Washington, they don’t learn about him as a “political statement.” When they learn about pioneers, inventors, or immigrants, we don’t treat those lessons as ideological, we are objective. That means we learn based on facts and evidence. Not personal beliefs. American Black History is often labeled as "political" instead of "objective" because when American Black stories and peopl

Dr. Carter G. Woodson is often called the Father of Black History, Dr. Woodson argued that education without truthful history harms both the learner and society. He believed historical knowledge builds dignity, self-respect, and responsibility—especially for children whose stories have been erased or distorted. Why We Begin With American Black History We chose to begin with American Black History because it is not a side story—it is a foundational one. Black History is Ameri

Children grow best when they know they are loved, feel safe, understand where they come from, and know they are connected to the world around them. We believe education is more than memorizing facts. It is about building identity, empathy, curiosity, and confidence. When children learn History through culture, lived experience, and human stories, they are better equipped to think critically, relate to others, and imagine their own futures. That is why our curriculum is built