Worksheet
Curated OER

Jazz Word Search

For Students 6th - 8th
In this music worksheet, learners find the words that are associated with Jazz music and the answers are found by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.
Interactive
Curated OER

Bessie Smith

For Students 8th - 12th
In this jazz history worksheet, students respond to 7 essay and short answer questions about the life and accomplishments of Bessie Smith.
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Jazz Lessons That Tell The Story

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Jazz lessons can provide a look into history, and a way to talk about present day jazz musicians.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VH1 Fan Club Dave Matthews Band

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study how the music of Dave Matthews Band is based on jazz, blues, bluegrass, rock and roll, and rap.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African American Heritage in Arkansas

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students research and write about three African American composers from Arkansas: Scott Joplin, Florence Price and William Grant Still.
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: History of Ragtime

For Students 9th - 10th
This article from Library of Congress' Performing Arts Encyclopedia gives an extensive explanation of the history of ragtime. Trace the development of the genre from the 1850s through the 1970s.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Ragtime

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia offers the definition, historical context, revival, and composers of the ragtime style of music.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Ragtime

For Students 9th - 10th
Includes background essays, artist biographies, sheet music, video, and audio resources about ragtime.
Website
Other

Musicals: Ragtime

For Students 9th - 10th
Musicals.net offers a synopsis and songlist for "Ragtime," as well as a forum for comments and questions about the show. While "Ragtime" isn't strictly a black musical, the Coalhouse Walker, Jr. - Sarah storyline is so significant that...
Article
OpenStax

Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Listening to Ragtime

For Students 9th - 10th
An excellent resource explaining the details that characterize ragtime music. From the rhythms to the typical form, this site gives a great overview of this early style of jazz.
Article
OpenStax

Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Ragtime

For Students 9th - 10th
An early form of jazz, Ragtime music is discussed in this web site. Touching on its origins to its lasting influence, you will be sure to learn more about it here.
Article
Other

Northern Virginia Ragtime Society: About Ragtime Music

For Students 9th - 10th
A well-organized synopsis from the Northern Virginia Ragtime Society of the history of Ragtime music overviewing its origin, important historical names and dates, and Ragtime's relation to the world of music. Special emphasis is placed...
Website
George Mason University

Chnm: Eubie Blake and Ragtime

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains a great interview with the pioneer of ragtime music, Eubie Blake. It also contains an audio clip of the interview.
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Scott Joplin, Composer

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short biography of the American ragtime pianist, Scott Joplin.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Joplin, Scott

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a brief encyclopedia biography of the ragtime composer, Scott Joplin, whose music was influential in the growth of jazz.
Website
Library and Archives Canada

Library and Archives Canada: Willie Eckstein, Pianist and Composer (1888 1963)

For Students 9th - 10th
Willie Eckstein was also known as "The Boy Paderewski" or "Mr. Fingers" for his prodigious talent as a pianist. Trained as a classical pianist, he performed vaudeville and as an accompanist to silent movies, often attracting more...
Article
OpenStax

Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Scott Joplin

For Students 9th - 10th
Considered the "King Of Ragtime", Scott Joplin is introduced in this informative web page. Learn more about his background and his music.
Handout
Other

"Blind" Boone: History

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides a thorough biography of one of the most influential but overlooked Ragtime composers, John William "Blind" Boone. The emphasis is on his lifetime and the tremendous success of his musical career despite his...
Handout
Kenyon College

Kenyon College: North by South: The Jenkins' Orphanage Bands

For Students 9th - 10th
If you are interested in the music for the Cakewalk, come check out the Jenkins' Orphanage Band. They played a mix of ragtime and march. Lots of cool photos.
Handout
Other

Unstrung History of American Guitar: The Guitar and the Birth of American Music

For Students 9th - 10th
The guitar in America began as an instrument used in popular music in the city and then branched out to minstrel shows, ragtime, and even jazz. Read about the history of this ubiquitous instrument and how it took on its American character.
Handout
Lone Star Junction

Lone Star Junction: Scott Joplin (1868 1917)

For Students 4th - 8th
A short profile of Scott Joplin, most famous for his ragtime music, who lived from 1868-1917.
eBook
The Washington Post

The Washington Post: "The History of Jazz," Chapter 1

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers the first chapter of Ted Gioia's book, "The History of Jazz." This chapter focuses on the prehistory of jazz, including the Africanization of American music, country blues and classic blues, and Scott Joplin and Ragtime.
Website
Other

Vintage Vaudeville and Ragtime Show

For Students 9th - 10th
This entertaining site contains the history of Vaudeville along with original soundbites of Vaudeville players.

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