You will find Black History Month songs to sing, songs for listening, musician and song database that’s appropriate for kids, authentic research articles and information, and decor for your bulletin boards and classroom door.
On This Page
Songs for a Black History Program or Classroom Learning
MLK Resources
Classroom song resources, performance songs, history, and videos appropriate for elementary students.
We Shall Not Be Moved
A deep dive into the history of the song from spiritual to times of protest plus a TPT resource with instrumental arrangements and video links or great performances.
We Will Live In Peace Partner Song
This arrangement came from the book, “Partners in Sprituals-Again!” It fits into so many different types of performances-Peace Walks, Winter Concerts, Black History Celebrations, and more.
Click link for all titles!
Zimbabwe-Style Marimba
It’s great to look at African music to begin to understand the influence on other music throughout the world. This example, Zimbabwe-style marimba music, is an accessible way to start because so many music classrooms have xylophones. Mbira Jam is from the Hot Marimba book by Walt Hampton. These pieces use ostinati that layer in and out.
This video was taken soon after we learned the piece and the kids chose how they would layer in and out. The kids were totally in charge with a bass player starting the piece and another student calling out what to do at times as parts layered in and out.
Mbira Jam
Here’s another example and you can find many more on YouTube.
Black History by Fyütch
Celebrate Black History Play Along
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing (Black National Anthem)
Kings Return
Sister Rosa by The Neville Brothers
Documentary About Bessie Jones
What Can One Little Person Do? by Sally Rogers
A composed song about important black leaders and the power of one.
African-American Songs & Singing Games for Kids
Pizza Pizza Daddy-O
Adding Orff instruments to the African-American singing game Pizza Pizza Daddy-O gives you a perfect arrangement for concerts as well as extended lessons to explore and practice mi, so, la, and syncopation in the classroom.
Integrating culturally responsive elements into these lessons is seamless, as students can incorporate dances that hold personal meaning to them into the song lyrics.
Musician & Song Database-Searchable
Resources include:
- Songs from Black composers (accessible for children)
- classic song genres such as spirituals, blues, rap, etc.
look inside
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Forever Motown (Medley) Arranged by Roger Emerson. Pop Choral Series. Medley, Motown, Oldies, Pop, Show Choir. Octavo. 32 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.8200896). |
look inside
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Forever Motown (Medley) – ShowTrax CD Arranged by Roger Emerson. Pop Choral Series. Medley, Motown, Oldies, Pop, Show Choir. CD. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.8200898). |
There is a multitude of current songs (or within the past 10 years) that could be used as well that I haven’t added to the list. Also, there are SO MANY amazing Black performers who weren’t composers that you can highlight as well.
Resources
Carnegie Hall African American Music Timeline
There is SO much to discover in this resource.
- a physical timeline showing origins and connections for black music genres
- LOTS of music links on every page that play Apple music snippets, just enough to be perfect for the classroom
- beautiful images of musicians and historical events on every page
African Drumming & Dance
In this series, dancer Rujeko Dumbutshena and drummer Farai Malianga show you how to dance traditional African dances and drums and their place in African history. This is a YT playlist from the Kennedy Center.
Music History, Is Black History
This resource page by Reverb has lots of information about Black musicians who were innovators and had groundbreaking achievements.
Teaching Idea: Let students choose a musician to research, putting all the research together into a timeline of Black music history.
The final student product could be online or hard-copy.
ONLINE-a Google slide, Flipgrid video presentation
HARD-COPY-poster board, report on 8.5 x 11, info on record-shaped album
Preservation Hall Lesson Plans
What an amazing resource! Just to name a few lesson plans: Learn the song Blue Monday, Bourbon Street Parade, Brass Bandbook, Congo Square, El Manciero, and TONS more.
Namibia Culture-Bearer, Garth Prince
Prince is a musician, vocalist, drummer, and educator who has knowledge of traditional folk songs of Namibia.
Black Stringband Music
This resource, by musician Jake Blount, has some essential and relevant information about Stringband music but other information about Black music and musicians. Mr. Blount has such thoroughly researched information.
A History of We Shall Overcome
A fascinating and thorough search of the evolution of this famous song. After watching, I definitely subscribed to Genie Deez’s channel because he is amazing!
His YT playlist on Culture & History includes great information on Funk, Civil Rights, syncopation, and so much more.
Black Diamond Queens: African American Women and Rock and Roll.
“In Black Diamond Queens, Maureen Mahon draws on recordings, press coverage, archival materials, and interviews to document the history of African American women in rock and roll between the 1950s and the 1980s.”
AMAZING video. I highly recommend watching for teachers and upper middle school/high school students.
Paying Royalties
The United Parish in Brookline introduced a unique program to help carry on the legacy of this music in Roxbury, and they’re hoping to be a model for others.
“There was growing discomfort around how to use Negro spirituals, appropriately and respectfully,” said the congregation’s minister of music Susan DeSelms.
Black Music of the African Diaspora
This blog post is from two educators who created a new seminar that looks at American history through Black American music. The greatest thing is that they have shared their playlist on Spotify!
Black History Month Songs for Kids
Bulletin Board & Door Decorations
Decor (Bulletin Board Border, Decorations)
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