| Full lesson | Create for a teacher a set of content for giving a lesson, beginning with the lesson plan. Each new block of materials must begin with an H1 heading (other subheaders must be H2, H3, etc). When you describe required pictures, write those descriptions in curly brackets, for example: {A picture of a triangle} |
| Which subject | Music |
| What topic | Lift Every VOice and Sing |
| What length (min) | 45 |
| What age group | Year or Grade 1 |
| Class size | 25 |
| What curriculum | National Music Standards |
| Include full script | |
| Check previous homework | |
| Ask some students to presents their homework | |
| Add a physical break | |
| Add group activities | |
| Include homework | |
| Show correct answers | |
| Prepare slide templates | |
| Number of slides | 15 |
| Create fill-in cards for students | |
| Create creative backup tasks for unexpected moments |
Music
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Year/Grade 1
45 minutes
25
Corresponds to National Music Standards
| Step Number | Step Title | Length | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to the Song | 5 minutes | Briefly introduce the song's background and significance. |
| 2 | Listening Activity | 10 minutes | Play the audio recording and ask students to listen. |
| 3 | Group Discussion | 5 minutes | In small groups, discuss what they felt about the song. |
| 4 | Learning the Melody | 10 minutes | Teach the melody through call-and-response. |
| 5 | Fill Out Printable Cards | 5 minutes | Distribute cards for students to fill out key points learned. |
| 6 | Group Performance | 5 minutes | Each group presents a section of the song together. |
| 7 | Collect and Check Cards | 3 minutes | Collect cards for review and check understanding. |
| 8 | Assign Homework | 2 minutes | Assign homework that reinforces lesson objectives. |
This structured lesson plan engages Year 1 students in a collaborative and interactive music experience while meeting the National Music Standards.
"Good morning, class! Today, we are going to learn about a very special song called 'Lift Every Voice and Sing.' This song is often called the Black National Anthem and has a rich history. It was written a long time ago and is important because it speaks about hope, freedom, and unity for many people. Can anyone tell me what 'unity' means? Great! It means coming together as one. So, let’s get started!"
"Now, I’d like you all to listen carefully. I'm going to play an audio recording of 'Lift Every Voice and Sing.' As you listen, I want you to close your eyes and think about how the song makes you feel. Ready? Here we go!"
(Play the audio recording for 10 minutes.)
"Okay, class! Wasn’t that beautiful? What feelings did you have while listening? Did anyone feel happy, sad, or inspired? Let’s talk about it in the next step."
"Now, I’d like you to break into small groups of four. In your groups, discuss how the song made you feel. You have five minutes. Don’t forget to share your thoughts with each other!"
(Allow 5 minutes for group discussion.)
"Alright! Let’s come back together. Can a few groups share what they talked about? Amazing insights, everyone!"
"Next, we’re going to learn the melody of 'Lift Every Voice and Sing.' I will teach you a simple call-and-response. I’ll sing a line, and then you’ll repeat after me. Are you ready?"
(Start teaching the melody through call-and-response for 10 minutes.)
"Fantastic! You all did a wonderful job. Now let’s try singing a little bit of the song together. Remember, feel the rhythm as you sing!"
"Now, I have some printable cards for each of you. On these cards, I want you to write down three things you learned about the song today. Use the markers or crayons to make it colorful and fun! You have five minutes to fill these out."
(Distribute cards and allow 5 minutes for students to fill them out.)
"Time’s up! Great job, everyone! Let’s move on to our next activity."
"Now it’s time for some teamwork! I want each group to present a section of the song you learned. Remember to sing loudly and clearly. Let’s start with the first group!"
(Allow each group to perform a section of the song for 5 minutes.)
"That was wonderful! You all sang so well together. I loved hearing your voices blending as one."
"Now, I’d like to collect your cards. I will check to see what you learned today. Please hand them to the front. Thank you! This will help me understand how well you grasped the concepts."
(Collect cards for 3 minutes.)
"For your homework tonight, I’d like you to think about what 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' means to you personally. Write a short paragraph about it, but don’t worry, you won't have to present it in front of the class. Take your time and be creative!"
(Give the assignment for 2 minutes.)
"Thank you for a fantastic lesson today, class! I can’t wait to read your thoughts in your homework."
| Slide Number | Image | Slide Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | {Image: A classroom setting} | - Introduction to the song |
| - Explanation of 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' | ||
| - Importance of unity | ||
| 2 | {Image: A pair of headphones} | - Listening activity |
| - Play audio recording of the song | ||
| - Reflect on feelings during the song | ||
| 3 | {Image: Students in discussion} | - Group discussion |
| - Break into small groups | ||
| - Share feelings and thoughts | ||
| 4 | {Image: A teacher singing} | - Learning the melody |
| - Call-and-response activity | ||
| - Practice singing together | ||
| 5 | {Image: Printable cards and markers} | - Fill out printable cards |
| - Write three things learned | ||
| - Make it colorful and fun | ||
| 6 | {Image: Students performing} | - Group performance |
| - Each group presents a section | ||
| - Emphasis on teamwork and clarity | ||
| 7 | {Image: A teacher collecting papers} | - Collect and check cards |
| - Understanding student grasp of concepts | ||
| 8 | {Image: A notebook and pen} | - Assign homework |
| - Reflect on personal meaning of the song | ||
| - Write a short paragraph | ||
| 9 | {Image: A celebratory classroom} | - Conclusion of the lesson |
| - Thank students for participation | ||
| - Anticipation for reading their thoughts |
What does the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" represent, and why is it often called the Black National Anthem?
Describe the feelings you experienced while listening to the song. Did it evoke any memories or thoughts for you?
In your own words, explain the meaning of 'unity' as discussed in class. How does this idea connect to the song?
What are three key things you learned about "Lift Every Voice and Sing" during today's lesson?
Reflect on the call-and-response activity. How did participating in this activity help you understand the song better?
Choose one line from the song that you found particularly impactful. Why did it resonate with you?
Write a short paragraph explaining what "Lift Every Voice and Sing" means to you personally. Consider how its themes of hope, freedom, and unity relate to your own life or experiences.
Discuss how group performances can enhance your understanding and appreciation of a song. What role did teamwork play in today's lesson?
Research the history of "Lift Every Voice and Sing." When was it written, and who were its creators? Summarize your findings in a few sentences.
How can music, like "Lift Every Voice and Sing," be used as a tool for social change? Write a brief reflection on the power of music in conveying important messages.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What does the song 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' represent? | |
| Why is 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' often referred to as the Black National Anthem? | |
| Can you explain what 'unity' means in the context of the song? | |
| How did listening to the song make you feel? | |
| What emotions did you experience during the listening activity? | |
| What did you learn about the melody of 'Lift Every Voice and Sing'? | |
| Can you describe the call-and-response technique we used today? | |
| What were the three things you wrote down about the song? | |
| How did your group perform the section of the song? | |
| What does 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' mean to you personally? |
What do you think the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" means in the context of hope and freedom? Can you express your thoughts in a few sentences?
Can you identify a line from the song that resonates with you? Why does that line stand out to you?
How do you think this song has influenced the community it represents? What impact do you think music can have on social movements?
If you had to create an additional verse for the song, what message would you want to include, and why?
How does the melody of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" make you feel when you sing it? Do you think certain melodies can evoke specific emotions?