• The themes of overcoming injustice and oppression are important lessons that children should learn at a young age, and Black History Month is a good time to teach them. Music is one of most enjoyable ways for children to learn about any subject, and first graders like music activities.
  
  

History

• An easy way of teaching first graders about the history of African-American music is by taking a song from all genres and telling them the story about the time it was first created. Then play the song. Begin in chronological order, starting with slave music, perhaps an old Negro spiritual ("Swing Low Sweet Chariot"). Tell a short biography of each artist, and then play a familiar song that the kids can dance to. Play some jazz (Louis Armstrong), blues (B. B. King), gospel (Aretha Franklin), rock and roll (Chuck Berry) and then maybe a clean hip-hop song (Will Smith).
  
  

Sing Along

• Kids can easily learn the words to many old songs that were sung by African Americans . "Kumbayah My Lord," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Get On Board, Little Children" have roots in traditional African-American history, and children will enjoy singing the tunes. You may also just sing songs that are more modern but are known for being performed by African Americans. As long as it's clean, parents will be OK with having their children sing a song that is not historic.
  
  

Write a Song

• Using a pre-existing melody, write a song together about a certain event or person from black history. It should be something simple that everybody knows, like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," "Mary Had A Little Lamb," or "Old MacDonald Had A Farm." After you've taught the kids a lesson, take ideas for words that rhyme. The teacher essentially should write most of the song, but kids should feel involved. Once a simple verse is written, have everyone sing it together. It may help to write the lyrics on a white board or chalkboard.