Shed a Little Light: Black History Lesson for K-5

Q: What is the meaning of 'Shed a Little Light' by James Taylor?

'Shed a Little Light' by James Taylor is a song that encourages unity, hope, and working together for a better future. Its lyrics promote collaboration and reference the ideals of the Civil Rights Movement.

Q: How can teachers use 'Shed a Little Light' in K-5 classrooms?

Teachers can use the song by playing it for students , discussing its meaning, and having students create illustrated cells showing their favorite part or interpreting the lyrics. Activities can be adapted for grades K-2 and 3-5.

Q: What lesson ideas are there for teaching 'Shed a Little Light' to elementary students?

Ideas include singing the song together , discussing its connection to the Civil Rights Movement, analyzing the lyrics, and having students illustrate or describe their favorite parts to deepen understanding.

Q: What is a simple classroom activity for 'Shed a Little Light' for grades K-2?

Have students listen to the song , discuss its message, then create a drawing or cell that illustrates their favorite lyric, using graphics that relate to the music.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

Lesson Plan Overview

The song, “Shed a Little Light”, was written and released by James Taylor in 1991. Its lyrics have many meanings, but the theme of the song is that we are all in this together and we must work together to build a brighter future.

This song can be used in a number of ways as an activity for younger kids or older elementary aged students. A suggestion for grades K-2 would be to listen to the song as a class and sing it together, memorizing the words. Discuss the meaning of the lyrics as a class, and have the students create a cell that highlights their favorite part of the song.

For grades 3-5, teachers could hand out a copy of the lyrics and discuss the meaning as a whole group or in small groups. Be sure to pay attention to how the song relates to the Civil Rights Movement, and why it is pertinent to that time in history. Students would then create a cell that illustrates a part of the song and its meaning.

*Please Note: this song is written as a gospel song, and references God/The Lord.*

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Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Instructions for K-2

Due Date:

Objective: Students will create a cell illustrating their favorite part of the song.

Student Instructions:

Click “Start Assignment”.
Create a cell that illustrates your favorite part of the song. Be sure to use graphics that relate to the song!

Instructions for 3-5

Due Date:

Objective: Students will create a cell illustrating and describing the meaning of a part of the song.

Student Instructions:

Click “Start Assignment”.
Create a cell that illustrates and describes the meaning of a part of the song. Be sure to use graphics that relate to the song!

Requirements:

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 1-2

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Group

Type of Activity: Black History Month

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Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Rubric

	Proficient 5 Points	Emerging 3 Points	Beginning 1 Points
Explanation	The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences.	The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear.	The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences.
Illustrations	The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items.	The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand.	The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions.
Evidence of Effort	Work is well written and carefully thought out.	Work shows some evidence of effort.	Work shows little evidence of any effort.
Conventions	Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct.	Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct.	Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect.

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Lesson Plan Overview

*Please Note: this song is written as a gospel song, and references God/The Lord.*

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Instructions for K-2

Due Date:

Objective: Students will create a cell illustrating their favorite part of the song.

Student Instructions:

Click “Start Assignment”.
Create a cell that illustrates your favorite part of the song. Be sure to use graphics that relate to the song!

Instructions for 3-5

Due Date:

Objective: Students will create a cell illustrating and describing the meaning of a part of the song.

Student Instructions:

Click “Start Assignment”.
Create a cell that illustrates and describes the meaning of a part of the song. Be sure to use graphics that relate to the song!

Requirements:

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 1-2

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual or Group

Type of Activity: Black History Month

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Rubric

	Proficient 5 Points	Emerging 3 Points	Beginning 1 Points
Explanation	The descriptions are clear and at least two sentences.	The descriptions can be understood but it are somewhat unclear.	The descriptions are unclear and are not at least two sentences.
Illustrations	The illustrations represent the descriptions using appropriate scenes, characters and items.	The illustrations relate to the descriptions, but are difficult to understand.	The illustrations do not clearly relate to the descriptions.
Evidence of Effort	Work is well written and carefully thought out.	Work shows some evidence of effort.	Work shows little evidence of any effort.
Conventions	Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly correct.	Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are somewhat correct.	Spelling, grammar, and punctuation are mostly incorrect.

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How Tos about Shed a Little Light by James Taylor

Encourage Students to Connect Song Lyrics to Real-Life Actions

Guide students to brainstorm specific ways they can apply the song's message of unity and hope in their daily lives. This helps make learning relevant and empowers them to take positive action.

Facilitate a Class Discussion on Community Building

Invite students to share ideas on how they can work together to support one another, just like the song describes. Use open-ended questions to spark thoughtful conversation and encourage collaborative thinking.

Guide Students to Create an Action Poster

Ask students to design a classroom poster that illustrates one action they can take to 'shed a little light' at school or in their community. This visual reminder reinforces the lesson and builds a sense of shared responsibility.

Encourage Reflection Through Journaling

Have students write a short journal entry about a time they helped someone or worked as a team. This practice deepens understanding of the song's message and connects it to personal experience.

Frequently Asked Questions about Shed a Little Light by James Taylor

What is the meaning of 'Shed a Little Light' by James Taylor?

'Shed a Little Light' by James Taylor is a song that encourages unity, hope, and working together for a better future. Its lyrics promote collaboration and reference the ideals of the Civil Rights Movement.

How can teachers use 'Shed a Little Light' in K-5 classrooms?

Teachers can use the song by playing it for students, discussing its meaning, and having students create illustrated cells showing their favorite part or interpreting the lyrics. Activities can be adapted for grades K-2 and 3-5.

What lesson ideas are there for teaching 'Shed a Little Light' to elementary students?

Ideas include singing the song together, discussing its connection to the Civil Rights Movement, analyzing the lyrics, and having students illustrate or describe their favorite parts to deepen understanding.

How does 'Shed a Little Light' relate to Black History or the Civil Rights Movement?

The song references themes of justice, unity, and hope central to the Civil Rights Movement, making it a valuable resource for Black History lessons and discussions about historical change.

What is a simple classroom activity for 'Shed a Little Light' for grades K-2?

Have students listen to the song, discuss its message, then create a drawing or cell that illustrates their favorite lyric, using graphics that relate to the music.