History Explorer Results (31)
Related Books (17)
Resource Type(s):
Reference Materials
"The National Museum of American History has over 2 million items in its collections, spanning every topic you could think of. And from wooden crosses to baseball uniforms to costume butterfly wings, our collections show that Latinx people have been an important part of U.S. history since the nation
Resource Type(s):
Artifacts
Custom-made in 1989 by the Minneapolis, Minn., firm of Knut-Koupee Enterprises, this Yellow-cloud electric guitar was designed and used by Prince. The musician's distinctive personal symbol adorns both the top and the side of the fingerboard. Custom work for famous instrumentalists and musicians
Resource Type(s):
Interactives & Media, Worksheets
Though not as well-known as figures such as Duke Ellington or Ella Fitzgerald, John Levy made significant contributions to jazz music, both as a bassist and as the first black personal manager in jazz. In this episode of History Explorer, Sarah Coffee interviews Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orche
Resource Type(s):
Primary Sources, Interactives & Media, Lessons & Activities, Worksheets
Introduce students to using oral histories as primary sources with these interviews with jazz musicians recorded by the Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities. The resource includes a guide for teachers and links to oral histories, and
Resource Type(s):
Primary Sources, Interactives & Media, Lessons & Activities, Worksheets
In this lesson, students will learn about the Jim Crow era in American history through an oral history interview with jazz legend John Levy. The resource set includes photographs and newspaper clippings in addition to the oral history excerpts, a teacher guide, and a student worksheet.
Resource Type(s):
Interactives & Media
In this episode of the History Explorer podcast series, Ken Kimery, executive director of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, discusses the importance of the Jazz Oral History Project. Ken explains the history of the program and its importance, as well as gives some tips about how to cond
Resource Type(s):
Interactives & Media, Lessons & Activities
This kit of guided listening activities and streaming music offers an engaging way of introducing students to jazz. It traces Louis Armstrong's career as a musician, from influences in African rhythms and New Orleans marches through performances in the 1960's and 70's. It could also be used as an
Resource Type(s):
Interactives & Media, Lessons & Activities
Explore jazz through listening activities, interviews with musicians, and background information on SmithsonianJazz.org. Prominently featured on this site are two suites of learning activities: one focusing on Duke Ellington for elementary students and one focusing on Louis Armstrong for middle a
Resource Type(s):
Reference Materials, Lessons & Activities
Children and adults can enjoy exploring the story behind one of America’s pioneers of jazz music, Duke Ellington, through children's literature, museum collections, and hands-on activities. Focused around Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra, a picture book biography of t
Resource Type(s):
Lessons & Activities
Use two online music tools to try your hand at picking instruments to change the mood of a song. Part of an OurStory module entitled Duke Ellington and Jazz, this activity includes instructions, discussion prompts, links, and background information. OurStory is designed to help children
Reading Level:
Early Elementary School
Tells the story of Benny Goodman growing up in Chicago, and how his family helped him fufill his dream to play the clarinet.
Author:
Sherry Ayazi-Hashjin
Reading Level:
Middle School
The author traces rap and hip-hop back to African music roots (drumming and the griot) to America and the blues, spirituals, and jazz.
Author:
Sharon Bell Mathis
Reading Level:
Late Elementary School
This illustrated biography tells the story of Ray Charles from his childhood to age 4. It captures Ray’s feelings along his way to stardom.
Reading Level:
Late Elementary School
A personal account of the Jazz Age, the Harlem Renaissance, the Savoy Ballroom, and Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, through the eyes of Norman Miller.
Reading Level:
High School
Traces the history of the blues from its African roots through the 90s, with a focus on key artists ranging from Louis Armstrong to Muddy Waters and B.B. King.
Reading Level:
Early Elementary School
A fly, who speaks jazz, seeks directions to town from animals and insects who respond to him with their sounds. The fly uses these sounds to jazz up his band’s music.
Reading Level:
Early Elementary School,Late Elementary School
A picture book that tells the story of Marian Anderson, including the successes and challenges she found in the United States and abroad.
