Civil rights songs and the power of repetition
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify music that talks about civil rights and sing using the power of repetition.
Key learning points
- Music has been used as a platform to talk about many different civil rights all around the world.
- Repetition can be an important tool in creating music so that music and messages can be remembered.
- Repetition and chanting allow many people to join in, developing a sense of connectivity and unity.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match these definitions.
the pattern of sounds and silences that we play and sing
playing or showing the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock
the regular, steady heartbeat of the music
the speed of the music - how fast or slow the music is played
Q2.When we sing in unison, we ...
Q3.When we speak in time to a pulse, we are .
Q4.An ostinato is a musical pattern that can be rhythmic or melodic.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Civil rights are ...
Q2.When we chant or sing the same part with others all at the same time, we are singing or chanting ...
Q3.Why do composers use repetition in music?
Q4.Why were songs important in the fight for civil rights?
To help you plan your 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...
To help you plan your 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.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 music lessons from the Singing together: music that comments on social change unit, dive into the full primary music curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.