Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Learning the Blues

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson plan introduces students to the blues. The origin and development of the blues is explored as well as its distinctive structure.
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.
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

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...
Article
Scott Alexander

The Red Hot Jazz Archive: Origins of Big Band Jazz

For Students 9th - 10th
Examines the progression from Ragtime and New Orleans jazz to Big Band.
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.
Graphic
Curated OER

Scott Joplin Postage Stamp

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...