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Singing for Justice: Following the Musical Journey of “This Little Light of Mine” Lesson PlanSinging for Justice: Following the Musical Journey of “This Little Light of Mine” Lesson Plan
Publisher
Smithsonian Institution
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
4th - 8th
Subjects
Social Studies & History
3 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
4 days
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
4 more...
Technology
Audio
Internet Access
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Lesson Plan

Singing for Justice: Following the Musical Journey of “This Little Light of Mine”

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Singing for Justice: Following the Musical Journey of “This Little Light of Mine” lesson plan also includes:
  • Singing for Justice: Following the Musical Journey of “This Little Light of Mine” (.html)
  • “This Little Light of Mine” by Michel LaRue
  • “This Little Light of Mine” from The Story of Greenwood Mississippi
  • “This Little Light of Mine” by Elizabeth Mitchell
  • “This Little Light of Mine” by Betty Fikes
  • Activity
  • Assessment
  • Join to access all included materials

Scholars go on a musical journey to discover the origin, importance, and evolution of the song, "This Little Light of Mine". Class members boost their voice talents and clap to the beat while learning the lyrics in both English and Zulu. Discussions connect the historical background to musical application. Participants write an original lyric to add to the song in focus.

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Concepts

Songs, slavery, social justice, civil rights, frederick douglass, black history month, african american culture, african american history, african americans, slave culture, song lyrics, song writing

Additional Tags

visual and performing arts

Instructional Ideas

  • Combine the lesson with a unit on slavery or civil rights to add more substance to its history portion
  • Make journal entries digital—direct pupils to answer questions on a classroom blog where they can read, and respond to, their peers' work
  • Conduct the lesson during Black History Month

Classroom Considerations

  • The lesson focuses primarily on the music more than the history

Pros

  • Provides extension opportunities
  • The plan is written in detail

Cons

  • None

Common Core

SL.4.2 SL.4.3 SL.4.4 SL.4.6 SL.5.2 SL.5.3 SL.5.4 SL.5.6 SL.6.2 SL.6.3 SL.6.4 SL.6.6 SL.7.2 SL.7.3 SL.7.4 SL.7.6 SL.8.2 SL.8.3 SL.8.4 SL.8.6

View 38,592 other resources for 4th - 8th Grade Social Studies & History

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