Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African American Heritage in Arkansas

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Pupils research and write about three African American composers from Arkansas: Scott Joplin, Florence Price and William Grant Still.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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...
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
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
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
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.
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.
Website
Other

Banjo Tablatures

For Students 9th - 10th
This comprehensive site covers many aspects of bluegrass banjo music. It includes bluegrass news, information, history, trivia, and multimedia. Also includes lesson plans for banjo, sample tablatures, bibliographies, workshops, and...
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.
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.
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
PBS

Classics for Kids: Scott Joplin

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short biography of Scott Joplin (1868-1917 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
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...
Website
Lone Star Junction

Lone Star Junction: The Yellow Rose (And Other Songs) of Texas

For Students 9th - 10th
A long list of songs about Texas, both lyrics and audio files in MIDI format. There are well-loved songs, school songs, regional songs, ragtime songs by Scott Joplin, even the theme song from the Lone Ranger television show.
Website
Other

Afri Classical: Scott Joplin (C. 1867 1917)

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed biography of Scott Joplin's life, with a resource list and a lengthy bibliography that includes his musical compositions.
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.
Unknown Type
My Hero Project

My Hero: Scott Joplin

For Students 3rd - 8th
This article includes information on the life and musical contributions of Scott Joplin, the composer who gave us such songs as "The Entertainer" and "The Maple Leaf Rag."
Handout
Classical Net

Classical Net: Scott Joplin

For Students 9th - 10th
This well-written biography of Scott Joplin not only provides his progress as a musician but also the personal events in his life which influenced his music. Includes links to a complete list of Joplin's works, a MIDI archive, and site...
Handout
Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Scott Joplin [Pdf]

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
A lesson plan that looks at Scott Joplin as a famous composer from Texas.

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