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Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: American Literature and Composition: Realism: Spirituals

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson focuses on the spirituals sung by the African American slaves as a way to express feeling and relay information in coded messages. as well as, to pass the time. It includes a PDF of the lyrics to two spirituals, "Go Down,...
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Website
Other

Negro Spirituals: History

For Students 9th - 10th
Resource offers a wealth of information on the development and various uses of the negro spiritual songs.
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Slavery and Freedom: Sorrow Songs

For Students 9th - 10th
Sorrow Songs are examined as the music the African American slaves of the antebellum South to express both sadness and despair as well as well as hope for better. See "Sorrow Songs Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America Singing: Nineteenth Century Song Sheets

For Students 9th - 10th
Song sheets, which containedonly lyrics, were a popular form of printed music. The Library of Congress holds over 4,000 of these from the 1800s that can be viewed online.
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Handout
PBS

Classics for Kids: William Grant Still

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short biography of William Grant Still (1895-1978 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.