THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

Lesson 2

Teaching Artist: Dave Adewumi

This is the second lesson from the grades 2-5 Jazz and the World of Black American Music Course. Students will be introduced to historical facts and figures in jazz music. They will learn the song “This Little Light of Mine” and sing it with their own musical styles. Then students will create a jazz band and perform for an audience.

SUMMARY

  • Recall historical facts about jazz.

  • Describe the contributions of historical figures in jazz.

  • Sing “This Little Light of Mine” and incorporate their own musical styles.

  • Perform for an audience.

OBJECTIVE

MATERIALS

EXPLORE

  1. Display Google Slides: This Little Light of Mine. Introduce students to jazz music by watching a segment from the video Introducing Jazz with “This Little Light of Mine” [00:00 - 07:57]. Ask students: What do you know about jazz? What are spirituals? 

  2. Display or distribute the traditional jazz song “The Little Light of Mine” Lyrics. Play the second segment in the video Introducing Jazz with “This Little Light of Mine” [07:58 - end]. Sing lyrics one line at a time and ask students to repeat. Then sing the entire song together.

LEARN

  1. Discuss the importance of jazz musicians’ personalities in their performances. Play the first segment of the video The Jazz Musician Way [00:00 - 04:06]. Ask: What makes you unique? How do you know when you are being yourself?

  2. List ways we can show our personalities through music. Record students’ thoughts on chart paper or an interactive board.

  3. Play the second segment from the video The Jazz Musician Way [04:07 - end]. Sing “This Little Light of Mine” along with students the way it is played.

  4. Divide students into small groups to brainstorm ways they can sing “This Little Light of Mine” in their own way. Allow time for students to practice. Bring students back to the whole group and ask for volunteers to share their rendition of “This Little Light of Mine.

  5. Tell students they are going to learn to bring their individual music styles together as a band. Play the segment from the video Making a Jazz Band [00:00 - 05:05] and explain the way jazz musicians come together as a band.

  6. Explore the different instrumental and vocal roles in a jazz band. Discuss the names of instruments students can hear in the song.

PERFORM+SHARE

  1. As a class, choose a jazz band name. Tell students they are going to perform “This Little Light of Mine” as a jazz band. Ask students to decide which instrument role they would like to play in the band. Students can use real instruments or adaptive instruments. They may also dramatize using an instrument.

  2. Play the second segment from the video Making a Jazz Band [05:06 - end]. Ask students to follow along with the lyrics and incorporate their own styles. Provide feedback and support to students during rehearsals. 

  3. Perform the song as a jazz band for an audience. Introduce the class by their original jazz band name. Record the performance with permission from guardians. Then share a video excerpt of the performance to S’Cool Sounds Padlet.