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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Slave Songs

This lesson plan allows students to learn more about the religious observances of slaves in the United States by presenting hymns from Slave Songs in the US digitized in the Documenting the American South Collection. This is a great lesson to introduce the intersection of religion and slavery in a US history or African American history class.

A lesson plan for grades 11–12 Social Studies

By Meghan Mcglinn

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

  • learn more about the role of religion in the lives of slaves.
  • begin to evaluate major themes surrounding the issue of religion and slavery.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

20 minutes

Materials/resources

None

Technology resources

Internet Access, Computer lab, word processing software

Pre-activities

Have students read the brief introduction to the “Church in the Southern Black Community” by Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp (in relevant websites).

It is only necessary for students to read the first section on “slavery” up to “emancipation.”

Activities

  1. Allow students to casually search through William Francis Allen’s collection of slave songs (in relevant websites). Ask them to choose a favorite or striking hymn and copy this onto a Word document. (Make sure students include the identifying information such as title, etc.) Then, students should write a brief response to the hymn in which they highlight its key themes.
  2. Next, have students copy Allen’s lengthy introduction and paste this under the hymn they selected. Now, ask students to go through the text and highlight, using the highlighter in the upper right hand of their tool bar, key themes which Allen identifies regarding slave hymns. For example, some apparent themes include barbarity vs. civilization, minstrelsy, use in work such as on steamboats, the “shout” service, etc.
  3. Once students have highlighted the key themes ask them to write a few sentences to summarize the major themes and whether or not these are evident in their hymn.

Assessment

Assess students based on their ability to complete the aspects of the assignment above. Give students feedback on their summarizing paragraphs.

Supplemental information

None

Related websites

Laurie F. Maffly-Kipp’s An Introduction to the Church in the Southern Black Community

William Francis Allen’s Slave Songs of the U.S.

Comments

None

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grades 11–12 — African American Studies

  • Goal 3: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of African American life and cultural contributions through 1860.
    • Objective 3.03: Trace the development of African American institutions such as religion, education, and benevolent organizations.

Grades 11–12 — United States History

  • Goal 2: Expansion and Reform (1801-1850) - The learner will assess the competing forces of expansionism, nationalism, and sectionalism.
    • Objective 2.06: Evaluate the role of religion in the debate over slavery and other social movements and issues.