PBS
Hidden Messages in Spirituals
Slaves laboring in the cotton fields of the old South singing joyously may have convinced overseers that their workforce was happy and content, but in truth, these spirituals contained secret codes. After viewing a short video about...
Curated OER
Music in West Africa
Students explore power and the symbols of power in West African music. They discuss the music of West Africa and compare it to African American music of today. In addition, they investigate musical instruments of Africa, identify the...
Curated OER
Jazz Talk
Middle schoolers analyze the origins of jazz music by examining work songs, spirituals, blues, and gospel songs as well as works of poetry from African American artists. They create their own poems from either the narrative, dramatic,...
Institut Obert de Catalunya
20th Century Music: Jazz
A 67-page packet provides instructors with a complete course in the history of Jazz. Lessons look at the roots of jazz in early 20th century African American communities in the southern United States and continues to the New Orleans...
Curated OER
Spiritual Power of Symbols
Students examine how symbols are used in some societies to influence spirits and to protect rooms. They discuss and view examples of doors decorated with symbols, and create a door mural using African and American symbols.
Curated OER
Folktales (African American, Chinese, Japanese and Korean)
Students participate in a variety of activities that are concerned with comparing different cultures through the literary genre of folktales. The stories are used to stimulate student interest and provide a context for how a society...
Curated OER
Music: Off the Wall & Onto the Stage - Composing
Kids explore Gullah music from Africa and then create original compositions based on what they've learned. They practice traditional melodies and rhythms then make some of their own, which they then perform for the class.
Curated OER
Parallel Studies in American/Afro-American Literature, Part II -- Black and White Images in Alienation
Students begin the lesson with a review of the elements of poetry. Individually, they read a variety of poems and literature one white and one black author focusing on decay, sterility and alienation. They identify these images within...
Curated OER
American Culture in a Musical Setting
Students discover the significance of similarities and contrasts of three separate cultures of the United States through music. They take out maps and trace the expedition of the Spanish along the coasts of Mexico and North and South...
Curated OER
Rites of Passage: Initiation Masks in French Speaking Black Africa
Students examine African cultures through the study of masks in the initiation ceremonies in French speaking black Africa. They analyze masks, and create their own masks.
Curated OER
Dear Mrs. Parks Teacher's Guide
Students read and respond to the book, Dear Mrs. Parks. In this African-American literature lesson, students read the text and examine several vocabulary words from the text. Students answer 11 discussion questions and participate in...
Curated OER
Lesson: Looking Closer: The Artwork of Shinique Smith
A critical discussion regarding the nature of Shinique Smith's second-hand clothing art is the foundation for the lesson. Critical thinkers fully analyze the meaning behind her work, taking close consideration of where the clothing came...
Facing History and Ourselves
What Aspects of Our Identities Do We Show to Others?
Sixth graders consider how they present their personal identities. In this character education lesson plan, 6th graders define themselves as they create masks that represent their personalities. Students share their masks and discuss...
Curated OER
Kwanzaa
Pupils recognize that families can be strengthened as a result of a holiday. They identify things about holidays that have strengthened their families. They explain some of the symbols of Kwanzaa. They draw one of the purposes of Kwanzaa.
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.
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...
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.
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.