In this episode of Secular Homeschool Revolution, Ashley explains what Juneteenth is, why it matters to Black families, and how secular progressive homeschoolers can teach it with honesty and care. Juneteenth is not just a holiday or a craft day. It is a reminder of delayed freedom, the ugliness of American history, especially Texas history and the power of Black survival, resistance, family, and joy.
This episode also covers what allies should and should not do when teaching or honoring Juneteenth, including how to avoid performative lessons, center Black voices, and make Black history part of your homeschool all year long.
Lower Elementary Juneteenth Resource List
Best for ages 4–8 / Pre-K–2nd grade
Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper
A gentle picture book that introduces Juneteenth through family memory, celebration, and history.
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom by Angela Johnson
Beautiful for read-alouds. Best with adult support because the emotions are big.
Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free by Alice Faye Duncan
A strong introduction to Juneteenth and Ms. Opal Lee’s work to make it a federal holiday. NMAAHC includes this title in its Juneteenth reading list.
The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States by Alliah L. Agostini
Good for explaining the timeline and how Juneteenth celebrations grew.
Free at Last: A Juneteenth Poem by Sojourner Kincaid Rolle
Short, poetic, and good for discussion.
Create a simple freedom timeline: slavery, Emancipation Proclamation, June 19, 1865, and Juneteenth today.
Ask: What does freedom mean? Let kids draw or write their answer.
Read a book, then cook or share a red food or drink while explaining that food can carry memory and culture.
Attend a local Juneteenth event and talk before and after: Why are people gathering? What are they remembering? What are they celebrating?
NMAAHC Kids Juneteenth Resource Guide
Helpful for explaining Juneteenth to young children in honest but age-appropriate language.
PBS Parents Juneteenth Book List
Good for finding picture books that help families start conversations about Freedom Day.
Upper Elementary Juneteenth Resource List
Best for ages 9–12 / 3rd–5th grade
The History of Juneteenth: A History Book for New Readers by Arlisha Norwood
Good for kids ready for more historical context.
The Juneteenth Story by Alliah L. Agostini
Works well for upper elementary because it explains how Juneteenth began and spread.
Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free by Alice Faye Duncan
Still useful for this age group, especially when paired with a discussion about activism.
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson
Not only about Juneteenth, but helpful for giving children a broader understanding of Black history before and beyond slavery.
Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson
Pair with Juneteenth to connect freedom, protest, and children’s role in justice movements.
Compare Juneteenth and the Fourth of July. Ask: Who was free in 1776? Who was not?
Study Galveston, Texas on a map and talk about why Texas matters in the Juneteenth story.
Introduce the difference between freedom on paper and freedom in real life.
Ask:
What happened after slavery ended?
Why did freedom have to be enforced?
Why is Juneteenth both a celebration and a reminder of injustice?
How did Black communities preserve this holiday before the country recognized it?
Zinn Education Project: Juneteenth: Teaching Outside the Textbook
Best for justice-centered teaching and connecting history to resistance and today’s world.
Learning for Justice: Teaching Juneteenth
Good for framing Juneteenth around justice, history, and anti-bias education.
New York Public Library Juneteenth Kids Resources
Includes books, activities, and kid-friendly explanations of Juneteenth.
NMAAHC Juneteenth Resources
Best for historically grounded explanations and family learning.
