Curated OER
Act it Out
Students discuss racial stereotypes. In this racial stereotypes lesson, students develop a character from information given to them on an index card. Students give their character a race different from their own and write a...
Curated OER
Lake Tahoe Then and Now
Young scholars investigate the differences in Lake Tahoe from the past to the present. In this geography lesson plan, students read the book Washoe Seasons of Life and identify the descriptions of the land and lake. Young scholars create...
Curated OER
The Million Man March
Students investigate the founding and applications of having The Million Man March while writing about the founder Louis Farrakhan. They communicate the intentions of the march that included the responsibility men are to take for the...
Curated OER
Theatre: Oral Traditions
Students investigate cultural traditions. In this multi-cultural lesson, students discuss various cultures and research their traditions.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Singing, Making of African American Identity: V. 3
An analysis of the role music played in the civil rights movement. The well known spiritual, "We Shall Overcome," is referenced as playing a key role in supporting this movement.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: American Literature and Composition: Realism: Spirituals
This lesson focuses on the spirituals sung by the African American slaves as a way to express feeling and relay information in coded messages. as well as, to pass the time. It includes a PDF of the lyrics to two spirituals, "Go Down,...
Smithsonian Institution
Anacostia Community Museum: Speak to My Heart: Communities of Faith
This site delves into the role that religious institutions and spiritual traditions have and continue to play in the civic, social and cultural lives of African Americans.
State Library of North Carolina
N Cpedia: Hiram Rhoades Revels
Biography of Hiram Rhoades Revels, who is best remembered as not only the first African American to hold a seat in the U.S. Senate, but also for his dedication to improving the spiritual and educational needs of the African American...
Black Past
Black Past: Fisk Jubilee Singers
In this interesting encyclopedia article, you can read about the beginning of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, a gospel group which performed spirituals all over the country and the world.
PBS
Pbs: God in America
Site has much to offer on the topic of the 400-year history of religion and public life in America. At this point in time the full videos are available to watch for free. Topics include: American Scripture, God in the White House, Sacred...
PBS
Pbs: This Far by Faith: Thomas Dorsey
A biography of Thomas Dorsey, the man known as "the father of gospel music," from the producers of "This Far by Faith," a series on African-American spiritual journeys. (The series premiered on PBS stations in June 2003.) The site...
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: How to Blues
This site has ten lessons to teach about the blues in which middle schoolers learn the geography, historical events and performers associated with the blues. The unit has been recognized by the American Music Education Initiative as one...
PBS
Classics for Kids: William Grant Still
A short biography of William Grant Still (1895-1978 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
PBS
Pbs: This Far by Faith: The Spread of Gospel Music
An explanation of the origins and spread of gospel music from the producers of "This Far by Faith," a series on African-American spiritual journeys, which premiered on PBS stations in June 2003.
Library of Congress
Loc: Samuel Coleridge Taylor
Coleridge-Taylor was so moved when he heard African American spirituals, that he incorporated the sound into his compositions. Here is a brief biography of his life.
Howard University
Howard University: The Fisk Jubilee Singers
Some great photos and a look at The Fisk Jubilee Singers' 1885 travel logbook from their European trip.
Curated OER
Library of Congress: Samuel Coleridge Taylor
Coleridge-Taylor was so moved when he heard African American spirituals, that he incorporated the sound into his compositions. Here is a brief biography of his life.
PBS
This Far by Faith: Civil Rights to Black Power: A Faith Forged in Albany
This segment from This Far by Faith, a documentary film about spiritual journeys of African Americans, explores civil rights and the Albany Movement.
PBS
Pbs: This Far by Faith: Mahalia Jackson
A brief biography of Mahalia Jackson from the producers of a documentary film about spiritual journeys of African Americans, which premiered on PBS in June 2003.