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Lesson 1 of 6
  • Year 6

Civil rights songs and the power of repetition

I can identify music that talks about civil rights and sing using the power of repetition.

Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
  • Year 6

Civil rights songs and the power of repetition

I can identify music that talks about civil rights and sing using the power of repetition.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Music has been used as a platform to talk about many different civil rights all around the world.
  2. Repetition can be an important tool in creating music so that music and messages can be remembered.
  3. Repetition and chanting allow many people to join in, developing a sense of connectivity and unity.
  4. Singing songs that comment on social justice can be more powerful in groups than singing alone.

Keywords

  • Civil rights - rules that make sure everyone in society is treated fairly, no matter who they are

  • Chanting - speaking in time to a pulse - in this case saying or singing the same words over and over, often to show support or share a message

  • Apartheid - a system in South Africa where the Government made unfair rules to separate people based on their skin colour

  • Repetition - the purposeful use of repeating a phrase in lyrics or music

Common misconception

Repetition in music is boring and simplistic.

Repetition is a powerful tool that allows musicians and songwriters to make a point clearly and be very specific.


To help you plan your year 6 music lesson on: Civil rights songs and the power of repetition, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Repetition is a key musical device that is used throughout this unit. Repetition occurs in lyrics, but you could also highlight the repeated riffs in the accompaniment patterns.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Match these definitions.

Correct Answer:rhythm,the pattern of sounds and silences that we play and sing

the pattern of sounds and silences that we play and sing

Correct Answer:beat,playing or showing the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock

playing or showing the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock

Correct Answer:pulse,the regular, steady heartbeat of the music

the regular, steady heartbeat of the music

Correct Answer:tempo,the speed of the music - how fast or slow the music is played

the speed of the music - how fast or slow the music is played

Q2.
When we sing in unison, we ...

all sing different parts
sing a solo
Correct answer: all sing the same part at the same time

Q3.
When we speak in time to a pulse, we are .

Correct Answer: chanting, chant

Q4.
An ostinato is a musical pattern that can be rhythmic or melodic.

Correct Answer: repeating, repeated, repetitive

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
Civil rights are ...

rules about being polite and having good manners
Correct answer: rules that make sure everyone is treated fairly, no matter who they are
laws about paying money to the government
special rights only for soldiers or the police

Q2.
When we chant or sing the same part with others all at the same time, we are singing or chanting ...

in harmony
Correct answer: in unison
solo

Q3.
Why do composers use repetition in music?

Correct answer: to make the music easier to remember
to make the music sound completely different every time
Correct answer: to help listeners recognise a pattern or an idea
to make the music confusing
Correct answer: to give the music structure and shape

Q4.
Why were songs important in the fight for civil rights?

they made people forget about unfair treatment
they were used for entertainment
Correct answer: they helped bring people together
Correct answer: they gave people courage and hope

Additional material

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