Learn All About Jazz with “We Got Jazz”
As I write this, it’s International Jazz Day, April 30! I’m excited to share with you today about a new curriculum guide called “We Got Jazz” that makes it a breeze to introduce this fun American musical style to your kids.
We Got Jazz! Exploring the Pioneers of Scat, Bebop, and Swing
We Got Jazz! Exploring the Pioneers of Scat, Bebop, and Swing was written by Selena Robinson of Look! We’re Learning. It’s a 137-page digital curriculum guide that includes information about 5 different jazz musicians:
- Dizzy Gillespie
- Nat King Cole
- Ella Fitzgerald
- Miles Davis
- Duke Ellington
Included for each are a biography, photos, a quiz, crossword puzzle, and copywork (of quotes).
Listening Activity
My favorite part is the Listening Activity for each. You are directed to listen to some specific music of the jazz musician and then have a page where you can draw or write about it and another sheet to answer questions about what you listened to.
Some of the questions the kids are directed to answer include:
“What feelings do you think the artist was trying to express?
“Name at least three instruments you can hear in the song.”
“What do you think the song’s title means?”
I think these are brilliant for guiding our kids to think!
Additional Activities
At the end of the guide, you’ll find additional activities that are SO FUN!
- Hit Record Matching Game (2nd-4th)~ Kids match the names of the hit record albums to the artist.
- Artist Timelines (2nd – 4th) ~ To understand the timeline of major events of the artist’s life
- Artist identification Activities (K-2nd) ~ Match the artist’s picture to their name. Also, write their name.
Answer Key and Bibliography
The last thing you find in the guide is an answer key for all quizzes and crossword puzzles, as well as a bibliography.
Final Thoughts
We Got Jazz is perfect for elementary students to learn about jazz in general and five jazz musicians specifically. I love the variety of activities which range from writing to thinking to listening.
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(Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this curriculum in order to honestly review it here.)
