Today's Classroom Activities :

The History of Jazz

Feel The Beat
Music May 29 is International Jazz Day. Have your students research in the library and online about the roots of jazz and some famous jazz musicians. Bring in samples of jazz for the class to listen to and respond to. Don't forget to involve your music teacher and librarian in this unit.

Chops and Axes — A Jazz Talk Show
Students will explore the lives of various jazz musicians. They will become familiar with the social and historical events that were present during the lives of these individuals. They will listen to the music of the artists and become knowledgeable about their styles. This activity will culminate in the production of a news/talk show created and performed by the students highlighting the lives of these musical figures.

Jazz in the Big Easy
Music/History Research as a class the great world of Jazz music and its roots in New Orleans. How did Hurricane Katrina impact the jazz scene in this city? Has jazz returned to New Orleans?

Duke Ellington
This lesson introduces students to the music and legacy of Duke Ellington as a major American musician and composer.

Jazzing Along All Day
Music Play jazz CDs at the beginning of class, during exercise breaks and while students pack up this month. Display the name of the musical artist on the board and make a bulletin board depicting the instruments being played.

Jazz Dance and Music
In this lesson, students will be introduced to jazz dance and jazz music. They will explore basic jazz dance movements, and will create a cinquain poem inspired by jazz music.