Overview

Music & Movement

TIMEFRAME

ALIGNMENTS 

TEXTS/MATERIALS

COMPELLING QUESTION

SUPPORTING QUESTION(S)

• How is music historically rooted in the Black community?
• How did music unite and uplift the Civil Rights Movement?
• How does music continue to influence protest movements?

LESSON OBJECTIVE 

VOCABULARY

• Analyze the impact music has on protest movements.
• Explore the historical significance of music on the Black community.
• Reflect on music’s impact on the Civil Rights Movement.
• Create an original protest song incorporating the elements found in established protest songs

TEACHER BACKGROUND

Many students’ exposure to the Civil Rights Movement is often limited to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr or Rosa Parks. Many are not fully aware of the enormity of all the Civil Rights Movement encompasses. Although our nation recognizes February as Black History Month, it is critical that educators elevate the obstacles faced and achievements accomplished by the many players of the Civil Rights Movement throughout the academic year. Exploring the connection music has had on American protest movements allows students to understand the power of our First Amendment rights to expression, assembly and to petition the government.

This lesson is designed to lift up the on-going struggle for civil rights that still plagues our nation today and allow educators to honor diversity and explore the values of equality and justice. Providing students the opportunity to investigate protest movements and songs helps them to understand the power of taking informed action.

When educators provide high quality primary source material and opportunities for students agency, we can begin to dismantle misconceptions and preconceived notions. Empowering students to conduct investigations, analyze evidence and make claims based on their research elevates learning and critical thinking skills.

Teachers can find additional background support resources as follows:

• In Defense of Civil Disobedience: Civil Disobedience, Part 3 - 60 Second Civics | Center for Civic Education
• Civil Rights Movements and Assembly - 60 Second Civics | Center for Civic Education
• Songs Of The Civil Rights Movement : NPR
• The Superpower of Singing: Music and the Struggle Against Slavery (U.S. National Park Service).
• Spirituals: About the Genre - Ballad of America
• Slave songs of the United States

This lesson contains material about slavery, racism, segregation, inequality, poverty, terrorism, and war, that some students might find offensive or potentially traumatizing. This material has been included in order to provide students with knowledge of the efforts and methods of civil rights campaigners and protest movements, as well as historical knowledge of the civil rights and other American protest movements. A culturally responsive classroom will provide a welcoming and safe environment where students feel comfortable to discuss difficult topics. Ensure students feel comfortable to share appropriate personal perspectives. Consider establishing classroom norms that encourage discussion.

SEL FOCUS

ASSESS & AUTHENTICALLY ENGAGE

• Students demonstrate their understanding of the importance of music in the Black community by completing a Roots of Music Quilt Square.
• Students will reflect on music’s impact on the Civil Rights Movement by completing a Songs of Freedom Analyzer.
• Students will analyze the impact music has on protest movements by completing a Fight the Power poster.
• Students will illustrate the impact of music on protest movements by creating an original protest song incorporating the elements found in established protest songs.
• Teachers may assess by using the Music & Mvmt Inquiry Assessment Rubric.
• Students will participate in self-reflection by completing the Inquiry Reflection Tool.