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This Women and the Blues activity also includes:
- An encyclopedic overview of blues music
- A map of the migration of blues music
- A 1925 letter from the stage act Tolliver & Harris
- A 1925 photograph of Gertrude “Ma” Rainey
- A 1929 Douglas Theatre handbill for Bessie Smith’s film
- Ukulele sheet music for “The Saint Louis Blues,” by W.C. Handy, 1914
- The sheet music for “The Crazy Blues,” by Mamie Smith, 1920
- A photograph of Gertrude “Ma” Rainey
- A 2010 interview with Guthrie Ramsey and Steve Almond
- The album cover of Blues for Rampart Street by Ida Cox and Coleman Hawkins, 1961
- A photograph of Gladys Knight and the Pips 1970
- A photograph from 1990 of singer Toni Braxton
- Activity
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A 12-piece primary source packet sets the tone for a study of the role women played in the origins, development, and impact of blues music. Legends like Bessie Smith, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey, Mamie Smith, and Ida Cox are featured, as are more contemporary performers Gladys Knight and Toni Braxton.
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CCSS:
Adaptable
Concepts
Instructional Ideas
- Set the stage with a video of Bessie Smith singing
- Coordinate the lesson with the music and social studies departments
- Use during March's Women's History Month
- Have groups select one of the women featured to research and report on to the class
Classroom Considerations
- Requires extra prep time to prepare materials
- If class members have access to computers with internet, save printing cost and load the documents on classroom computers
Pros
- The teaching guide includes discussion questions and suggested activities
Cons
- None