A newly published children’s book Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem, is a beautiful poem by Amanda Gorman (NY Times Best Selling Author), with pictures by Loren Long.(NY Times Best Selling Illustrator). The book tells the story of a young girl who leads others on a musical journey.

“They learn that they have the power to make changes - big or small - in the world, in their communities, and, most importantly, in themselves.” (Change Sings)

Essential Questions

Observe:

• Describe images you saw on the page? 
• What words did you notice in the poem?

Reflect:

• What was the poem about?
• Who created it?

Question:

• “Every child has the power to change the world.” What is one change you want to make?
• What is an anthem?
• If you wrote an anthem, what would it be? Who or what would it honor?

LOC Artifacts

The Library of Congress has artifacts that support many lesson plans that are available for teachers to use in their classrooms.

From the Patriotic Melodies Digital Collection, students can view the music and lyrics for The Star Spangle Banner - National Anthem.

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“Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing”, an essay by Burton W. Peretti

Added to the National Registry: 2016

Lift Every Voice and Sing poem - students can see the poem written out

Today in History - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

(corresponds to images on pp. 3-4 of Change Sings)

Lesson Ideas

There are a number of lesson ideas available for teachers to explore. Here are my top picks.

Teaching Books website

Cultural representation reflection activity that ranges from having students compare and contrast their experiences with elements of the story using drawing and guided reflection, to having student reflect on what they see in their world and the experiences they notice in the text (e.g., power, bias, privilege).

Amanda Gorman’s website - learn about the author

Amanda Gorman book introduction - “Every child has the power to change the world.”

Lift Every Voice and Sing background - A poem originally set to music

Crayola: Our Anthem Lesson ideas

What images stand out when you sing your national anthem? 

Write and illustrate an original anthem.

National Education Association Lesson ideas - 

“Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as "The Black National Anthem," was a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson. 

The lyrics for the United States national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner," come from the "Defence of Fort M'Henry," a poem written by lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key.

Have students write their own anthem for something that is important to them, honoring someone, or something they are passionate about. 

Talk with students about anthems and how the book has inspired them

Talk about how poetry and music can come together to create an anthem

Educator Guide for Change Sings - has a variety of ideas for different grade levels 

Additional Resources

“Lift Every Voice and Sing“ Alicia Keys performance w/ narration by Anthony Mackie (NFL)

Why we "Lift Every Voice and Sing" | The story behind the 'black national anthem'

  Art/Music    English/Language Arts    Library    Social Studies/History    UArts    Pre K - 2    3 - 5    6 - 8