1. John Newton was the captain of a slave ship the Greyhound, who underwent a miraculous conversion during a storm in Although he eventually lost his sight, Newton campaigned against slavery until his death in He is best known today for the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’. Listen to the lyrics. Do they tell us anything about Newton’s reasons for joining the campaign for the abolition of slavery?
Amazing Grace

2.  Your task
Devise a slave song or ‘spiritual’ about life on board a slave ship like the Brookes or the Zong
Try to refer to as many elements as possible in the sources
Use a tune like ‘Amazing Grace’ or ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’ or a slow song you already know

3. Needs improving
Satisfactory
WOW factor!
Includes references to some, not all, the topic areas (Cramped conditions e.g. heat, noise, smell
Toilet facilities
Illness, death
Food,
Punishments)
Limited use of technical vocabulary or historical details.
Refers to all of the topics, though some may need developing.
Some use of technical vocabulary, e.g. manacles, flogging but could include more
Some elements of a slave spiritual. Most members of group participate
Includes all the topics plus the extension ones (Life for the women
Actions of slave ship captains & officers)
Consistent use of technical vocabulary, e.g. dysentery, hold of the ship, commodities
Strong performances from all group. Sounds like a slave spiritual.

5.  Plenary
Describe what you would have seen, heard and smelt on a slave ship
What was the most horrific aspect of the slave trade for you?
How can you test is a source is reliable or not?
Extension: why do you think the slave songs or spirituals were so popular?

6.  Homework
Add the key words on the video task sheet to your glossary with definitions.
Extension. Research the life of Olaudah Equiano using weblinks on the Studyhistory website. Get a copy of his portrait and paste it in your book. Around it write notes on:
His dates
Life as a slave
Books
Efforts to end slavery