Learn the role spirituals such as “We Shall Overcome” played in the Civil Rights movement, and how they were used during several movements around the world such as the South African resistance to Apartheid. Then use this freedom song composition project to create a protest song in ABA form.
by Maria Del Valle
Lesson Blueprints
Underground Railroad
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#3 – Refine and complete artistic work #4 – Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation. #8 – Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work. #10 – Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art. #11 – Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding
Objectives
Define the term Freedom Songs.
Learn about and compose a Protest Song
Materials
Book:We Shall Overcome by Debbie Levy
YouTube Videos: See the list at the end of the lesson
Overview
Spirituals such as “We Shall Overcome” and “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” were sung as Freedom Songs used in the Civil Rights movement and were used during several movements worldwide, such as the South African resistance of Apartheid. Freedom Songs are sung today during protests and rallies. Students will learn about the Freedom Singers, sing “We Shall Overcome,” and compose a protest song.
Suggested Teaching Process
Lesson 1: Define Freedom Songs
Sing the song “This Little Light of Mine.” Ask students about the song.
Have they heard the song before?
What do they think the song is about?
“This Little Light of Mine” is a Freedom Song. A Freedom song is an anthem sung during the Civil Rights movement. The Freedom Riders made these songs famous across the United States.
Freedom Riders are people who challenged radical laws in the American South in the 1960s, originally by refusing to abide by the laws designating that seats on buses be segregated by race.
Teach the song “This Little Light of Mine” using echo imitation.
Review the song Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around.
Ask students to describe changes they want to see in the world. Example: Pollution
Write their answers on the board.
Next, ask students to list ideas that they “won’t let turn you around” – explain this phrase if students are not clear of the meaning of this phrase. Examples: Late Bus or Rainy Weather
Change the lyrics of the song Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around as a class using student suggestions.
Sing the new version of the song together as a class.
References
Folk Era. (n.d.). Freedom is a constant struggle: Songs of the Mississippi civil rights movement.
Levy, D., & Brantley-Newton, V. (2015). We shall overcome The story of a song. Scholastic.
Maria Del Valle is an activist, musician, teacher, consultant, and social entrepreneur. She is originally from Puerto Rico and is based in New York City. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Florida, Masters Degree…