Singing for Equality: Musicians of the Civil Rights Era

The heart of the Civil Rights Movement beats in the music and musicians of the times, whose work was both an inspiration and a reflection of the changes happening in America and to its people. Singing for Equality: Musicians of the Civil Rights Era introduces middle graders to the history of the Civil Rights Movement and explores the vital role that music played in the tumultuous period of American history during the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. Bob Dylan, Mavis Staples and the Staple Singers, Sam Cooke, James Brown, and Nina Simone all brought joy and determination to people fighting for equality. This book also asks kids to think about today’s Black Lives Matter movement and discover parallels between the voices of then and now. Hands-on projects and research activities alongside essential questions, links to online resources, and text-to-world connections promote a profound understanding of history and offer opportunities for social-emotional learning. Try these critical and creative thinking projects! Research the inspiration behind certain civil rights songs Explore different versions of the same songs Analyze a primary source document to see how the world is different today Compare and contrast nonviolence with other forms of protest