Institut Obert de Catalunya
20th Century Music: Jazz
A 67-page packet provides instructors with a complete course in the history of Jazz. Lessons look at the roots of jazz in early 20th century African American communities in the southern United States and continues to the New Orleans...
Curated OER
Ragtime: 1880-1920
Build an understanding of the social, economic, and cultural changes that were incited by the American Industrial Revolution. Learners will research the historical context of the Ragtime Era, and compose an oral presentation in the voice...
Curated OER
Ragtime Book Quiz
In this fiction books worksheet, students complete seven multiple choice questions about the book, "Ragtime." These questions contain concepts such as choosing the correct author, who published the book, when it was on the New York Times...
Curated OER
Jazz's Beginnings
Learners examine jazz's roots and their hybridization in New Orleans in the early 20th century. They listen to ragtime and jazz recordings, then complete worksheets imbedded in this plan.
Curated OER
Migration of Music
In this music worksheet, learners identify and define migration. They circle the different types of music created by the African-Americans who were brought to the New World. Students also explain why slavery is a bad thing.
National First Ladies' Library
Ragtime: The First "American" Music?
Learners investigate the concept of ragtime music and the times associated with it in American history. They conduct research using a variety of resources and listen to a sample before writing down some of the results of the information...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Cultural New Orleans
Students observe the PBS film, "New Orleans," to explore such topics as race relations, cultural history, and urbanization. After examining n interactive map displaying the city at various dates in its history, students role-play as...
Curated OER
The Sting
In this music worksheet, students read an excerpt from the movie The Sting and identify the American composer, Scott Joplin, who found ragtime jazz music heard in the movie. They also respond to eight questions related to the excepts read.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Learning the Blues
This lesson plan introduces young scholars to the blues. The origin and development of the blues is explored as well as its distinctive structure.
PBS
Pbs: The American Experience in the 1900s
This site presents a general picture of what life was like in the United States at the turn of the century. Content includes compelling images, information, and documents about American life.
Other
Banjo Tablatures
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...
Other
Afri Classical: Scott Joplin (C. 1867 1917)
A detailed biography of Scott Joplin's life, with a resource list and a lengthy bibliography that includes his musical compositions.
Library of Congress
Loc: History of Ragtime
This article from Library of Congress' Performing Arts Encyclopedia gives an extensive explanation of the history of ragtime. Trace the development of the genre from the 1850s through the 1970s.
Other
The Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation: A Scott Joplin Biography
Biography of Scott Joplin.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Culture, Making of African American Identity: Vol. 2, 1865 1917
A chapter, an interview, and film clips that illustrate cultural expressions of African American identity in the late-nineteenth century. Culture is explored during the turn of the 20th century within this resource and is supported by...
George Mason University
Chnm: Eubie Blake and Ragtime
This site contains a great interview with the pioneer of ragtime music, Eubie Blake. It also contains an audio clip of the interview.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Ragtime
Wikipedia offers the definition, historical context, revival, and composers of the ragtime style of music.
Other
Musicals: Ragtime
Musicals.net offers a synopsis and songlist for "Ragtime," as well as a forum for comments and questions about the show. While "Ragtime" isn't strictly a black musical, the Coalhouse Walker, Jr. - Sarah storyline is so significant that...
Other
"Blind" Boone: History
This resource provides a thorough biography of one of the most influential but overlooked Ragtime composers, John William "Blind" Boone. The emphasis is on his lifetime and the tremendous success of his musical career despite his...
Kenyon College
Kenyon College: North by South: The Jenkins' Orphanage Bands
If you are interested in the music for the Cakewalk, come check out the Jenkins' Orphanage Band. They played a mix of ragtime and march. Lots of cool photos.
Other
Unstrung History of American Guitar: The Guitar and the Birth of American Music
The guitar in America began as an instrument used in popular music in the city and then branched out to minstrel shows, ragtime, and even jazz. Read about the history of this ubiquitous instrument and how it took on its American character.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Listening to Ragtime
An excellent resource explaining the details that characterize ragtime music. From the rhythms to the typical form, this site gives a great overview of this early style of jazz.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Scott Joplin, Composer
A short biography of the American ragtime pianist, Scott Joplin.
Library of Congress
Loc: Ragtime
Includes background essays, artist biographies, sheet music, video, and audio resources about ragtime.