We are so excited to have collaborated with local artists Shannon B and producer Sera Bless for 2024’s Black History Month song on a theme of Reclaiming Narratives; showcasing untold stories, correcting historical inaccuracies, challenging the narratives that have often overlooked the contributions and achievements of Black individuals.

Below you will find a KS2/KS3 music curriculum resource to go alongside the song outlining the topic, researching the themes and writing your own verse to fit with the existing chorus and example verse.

Key Stage 2

Learn Makaton signs, singing and body percussion for Ghost Town by The Specials with Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs, then try it out with the performance video.

LEARNING VIDEO — LEARN THE LYRICS, SINGING, BODY PERCUSSION AND THE SIGNS

PERFORM ALONG VIDEO — PLAY, SING AND SIGN ALONG THROUGH THE WHOLE SONG

Key Stage 2

Learn Makaton signs, singing and body percussion for Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell with Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs, then try it out with the performance video.

LEARNING VIDEO — LEARN THE LYRICS, SINGING, BODY PERCUSSION AND THE SIGNS

PERFORM ALONG VIDEO — PLAY, SING AND SIGN ALONG THROUGH THE WHOLE SONG

We are delighted to be able to share with you a new set of vocal resources for Black History Month this year around the UK theme in 2022 which is ‘Time for Change: Action not Words’. We have two songs which we are workshopping in schools this month which we are also sharing in the song bank for you to make use of in the classroom if you would like to do so.

Our original track this year ‘Time for Change’ was composed By @JT_UK_, Produced by @Lovemade_Muru both local artists. You will find an instrumental only version of this, one that includes a vocal chorus with 16 bar gaps for you to write some rap lyrics plus a lyrics document for the verse and outlining the structure of the song. This version is more suitable for KS3 and up.

Also included is a version of our song from last year by Jo Downs with new lyrics by Nia Collins around the theme for BHM this year Time for Change which you may find is more suitable for KS2 pupils. Again you will find a backing track and lyrics for this below.

Key Stage 2

Learn Makaton signs, singing and body percussion for (Something Inside) So Strong by Labi Siffre with Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs, then try it out with the performance video.

LEARNING VIDEO — LEARN THE LYRICS, SINGING, BODY PERCUSSION AND THE SIGNS

PERFORM ALONG VIDEO — PLAY, SING AND SIGN ALONG THROUGH THE WHOLE SONG

Sing, learn the signs and do body percussion to You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder.

Join in with our inclusive series of musical and sensory activities created for SEND pupils in Early Years and Key Stage 1. Featuring action songs, rhythms, rhymes and of course Makaton signs, join in with Vicky where you can!

Key Stage 2

Learn Makaton signs, singing and body percussion for Respect by Aretha Franklin with Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs, then try it out with the performance video.

LEARNING VIDEO — LEARN THE LYRICS, SINGING, BODY PERCUSSION AND THE SIGNS

PERFORM ALONG VIDEO — PLAY, SING AND SIGN ALONG THROUGH THE WHOLE SONG

Sing, learn the signs and do body percussion to What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.

Join in with our inclusive series of musical and sensory activities created for SEND pupils in Early Years and Key Stage 1. Featuring action songs, rhythms, rhymes and of course Makaton signs, join in with Vicky where you can!

Key Stage 2

Learn Makaton signs, singing and body percussion for Lean On Me by Bill Withers with Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs, then try it out with the performance video.

LEARNING VIDEO — LEARN THE LYRICS, SINGING, BODY PERCUSSION AND THE SIGNS

PERFORM ALONG VIDEO — PLAY, SING AND SIGN ALONG THROUGH THE WHOLE SONG

Key Stage 2

Learn Makaton signs, singing and body percussion for Good Times by Chic with Southampton and Isle of Wight Music Hubs, then try it out with the performance video.

LEARNING VIDEO — LEARN THE LYRICS, SINGING, BODY PERCUSSION AND THE SIGNS

PERFORM ALONG VIDEO — PLAY, SING AND SIGN ALONG THROUGH THE WHOLE SONG

Key Stage 2

Learn Makaton signs and body percussion for We Are Family by Sister Sledge then try it out with the performance video.

LEARNING VIDEO — LEARN THE LYRICS, BODY PERCUSSION AND THE SIGNS

PERFORM ALONG VIDEO — PLAY, SING AND SIGN ALONG THROUGH THE WHOLE SONG

Here you will find the final version of the Proud To Be featuring lyrics written by children from across Southampton and the Isle of Wight. In this version of the lyrics have been curated and performed by local rapper Larry Kazingizi, includes vocals by Southampton based artist Shannon B and was produced by KMaster Productions.

This song will feature in our History of Hip hop event at MAST Mayflower Studios on Tuesday 29th March. You will also find a PDF with the lyrics and a backing track for you to have a go at singing along or writing your own lyrics for the verses if you would like to.

Sing, learn the signs and do body percussion to Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.

Join in with our inclusive series of musical and sensory activities created for SEND pupils in Early Years and Key Stage 1. Featuring action songs, rhythms, rhymes and of course Makaton signs, join in with Vicky where you can!

Learn the chorus to this original song written by Jo Downs for Black History Month. Encourage pupils to write about their your own experiences as a starting point to help write their own lyrics about what they are “Proud To Be…” for the blank verse sections then put it together with the chorus.

Also included here is the option to request the powerpoint we are using to workshop this in schools as a starting point if that’s helpful or you could sign up for one of these workshops for free yourself using the Booking button below.

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Sing, learn the signs and do body percussion to Bob Marley’s Reggae classic as part of our Black History Month focus this term.

Join in with our inclusive series of musical and sensory activities created for SEND pupils in Early Years and Key Stage 1. Featuring action songs, rhythms, rhymes and of course Makaton signs, join in with Vicky where you can!

Sing about African Folk Tale hero Anansi the Spider as part of our Black History Month focus this term.

Join in with our inclusive series of musical and sensory activities created for SEND pupils in Early Years and Key Stage 1. Featuring action songs, rhythms, rhymes and of course Makaton signs, join in with Vicky where you can!

Key Stage 2

Learn Makaton signs and body percussion for Ain’t No Mountain High Enough sung by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell then try it out with the performance video.

LEARNING VIDEO — LEARN THE LYRICS, BODY PERCUSSION AND THE SIGNS

PERFORM ALONG VIDEO — PLAY, SING AND SIGN ALONG THROUGH THE WHOLE SONG

Key Stage 2

Learn Makaton signs and body percussion for You Can Get It If You Really Want sung by Desmond Dekker and the Aces then try it out with the performance video.

LEARNING VIDEO — LEARN THE LYRICS, BODY PERCUSSION AND THE SIGNS

PERFORM ALONG VIDEO — PLAY, SING AND SIGN ALONG THROUGH THE WHOLE SONG

Key Stage 2

Learn Makaton signs and body percussion for Proud Mary sung by Tina Turner then try it out with the performance video.

LEARNING VIDEO — LEARN THE LYRICS, BODY PERCUSSION AND THE SIGNS

PERFORM ALONG VIDEO — PLAY, SING AND SIGN ALONG THROUGH THE WHOLE SONG

Key Stage 2

Learn Makaton signs for This Is Our Carnival, an original song written by Jo Downs and sung by children from Theatre Educational directed by Katy Edmunds and produced by Aidan Hampson. This special song is part of a larger project for National Children’s Carnival Week taking place up and down the country in the week beginning 12th July 2021. Our project with The New Carnival Company has allowed us to share this song nationally so join in from wherever you are and feel free to change the lyrics ‘Isle of Wight’ to your own school, town or carnival company name!

Learn the Makaton signs with Kelly and then try it out with the performance video. Also included is a pdf of the score for download and backing track versions for your own performances.

LEARNING VIDEO — LEARN THE LYRICS AND THE SIGNS

PERFORM ALONG VIDEO — SING AND SIGN ALONG THROUGH THE WHOLE SONG