Fourth graders at Rice Lake Elementary School recently performed various civil rights songs at a Black History Month assembly. This was the first all school assembly in a long time for the school. Scholars of all ages and teachers enjoyed listening to the singers and applauded loudly at the end of each song.
The fourth graders, led by music teacher Stephanie Beard, sang various civil rights songs that they have been studying for months. They sang “Lift every voice and sing,” “This is what democracy looks like,” “Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me round,” “Blackbird,” “Wake up everybody,” “A million dreams” and “We shall overcome.”
Before each song, student speakers gave context on the history of that song and what was happening in the country while the song was popular. The students learned about the Civil Rights movement and why the songs were important.