Lyrics in the Classroom
“Oh beautiful when children sing…
free from hate and fear
Now hear their laughter pure and sweet,
young voices ringing clear”
The sound of children’s voices for this song is truly uplifting. In a school setting, this song is appropriate in music classes, for an assembly or for a concert. Besides Martin Luther King Day and Black History month, it would fit nicely with a Memorial Day program, Earth Day assembly or Music/Arts Night.
When teaching this song, take time to discuss any lines that may be unfamiliar. It can be helpful showing photos of wheat fields, especially for urban youngsters unfamiliar with our nation’s farm belt. Likewise photos of the Rocky Mountains. Ask children what they think some of these lines mean:
“Amber waves of grain”
“For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain”
I Have A Dream
If you could make a wish for America, or for your community or school, what would it be?
Try showing photos of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered before a crowd estimated at 250,000 people in front of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington, DC. This was the culmination of the March on Washington, and a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement.
Lines to discuss:
What might the “long awaited dream” refer to?
What does “content of our character” mean? (see quote of Dr. Martin Luther King)
What does “eclipses rank and race” mean?
If you had a pen pal in another country, who asked you what it means to be an American, what would you tell them?
“If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive. That is why we put these stories in each other's memories.”
–Barry Lopez, Crow and Weasel
“America The Dream” can be a springboard for discussion and learning in the classroom. There are many curriculum materials available from other sources as well. Here are a few:
Museums & Historical Societies
When possible, a field trip or hands-on visit makes a memorable learning experience. Many museums and historical groups also have helpful resources online:
TheKingCenter.org
CivilRightsMuseum.org/Students
Smithsonian National Museum
of African American History & Culture
nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race
Brain Pop Educators
Learn about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and how he fought for equal rights for all people via a wealth of lessons plans and more on Brain Pop Educators website.
Music Resources
MusicConstructed.com
Offers lesson plans and more, primarily for music teachers working with grades K-6. See featured article about “America the Dream”
ChildrensMusic.org
Offers a newsletter and regional and national gatherings to share new songs and music activities.
RiseUpandSing.org/Songbooks
Excellent songbooks and recordings for group singing, organized by topic and age level.
Teaching Tolerance
Tolerance.org offers a wealth of lessons plans, curriculum enrichment and more.
“Let us remember one book, one pen and one teacher can change the world.”
–Malala Yousafzai
Books
The story of the American Dream has many different chapters, and many different tellings. Books shared aloud, or read by oneself, are wonderful doorways to those different chapters. Your school or town library probably has quite a few of the recommended books below. Ask your librarian or local bookstore for more suggestions.
About “America the Beautiful” (for adults)
Katherine Lee Bates | From See to Shining Sea
by Melinda M. Ponder
America the Beautiful: The Stirring True Story Behind Our Nation’s Favorite Song
by Lynn Sherr
About Dr. Martin Luther King (for adults)
Parting the Waters by Taylor Branch
Pillar of Fire by Taylor Branch
At Canaan’s Edge by Taylor Branch
A Pulitzer Price winner in history, Taylor Branch dedicated nearly 25 years to researching and writing his trilogy. Whether read individually, or together, these books paint a vivid picture of the life and times of Dr. King.
About Dr. Martin Luther King & Civil Rights
(K-5th grade level)
The Cart That Carried Martin by Eve Bunting
I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr.
(illustrated by Kadir Nelson)
Martin and Mahalia by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Pappaport
My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris
Uncle Martin's Big Heart by Angela Farris Watkins
This is the Rope by Jacqueline Woodson
Thurgood by Jonah Winter
Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Young Shelton
This is My Dream by Langston Hughes
When Marian Sang by Pam Munoz Ryan
Soldier for Equality by Duncan Tonatiuh
Voice of Freedom by Carol Boston Weatherford
Picture Books about the American Dream (K-5 level)
We Came to America by Faith Ringgold
This is Me by Jamie Lee Curtis
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
I’m New Here by Anne Sibley O’Brien
The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Pollacco
My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald
One Green Apple by Eve Bunting
This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie
America the Beautiful: Together We Stand by Katharine Lee Bates
The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee
How Many Days to America by Eve Bunting
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold