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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Syncopated Duet

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students work in pairs to compose a duet (with percussion instruments) that contains syncopated rhythm sequences. Each student will research a piece of music that they feel uses syncopation and will give a persuasive speech to the class.
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Unit Plan
Institut Obert de Catalunya

20th Century Music: Jazz

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alleluia

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Singers practice perfecting the song, Alleluia. They focus on singing techniques, style, phrasing, and working with syncopation. This lesson is a microteahing lesson and includes a warm up and vocal exercises. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In My Dream

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students listen to recordings of early jazz and identify examples of ostinato and syncopation. They discuss important personalities from jazz cultures and take a quiz on aspects of jazz.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Syncopation and Rhythm in Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and Rap Music

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students recognize and clap the syncopated rhythmic beat of a rap song and identify recurring rhythmic pattern in the excerpt of "Dance of the Adolescents" from Igor Stravinsky's Rite of Spring.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching Adjectives with Music

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explain syncopation and how it can be related to the role of adjectives.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music: Solo and Group vVcal Practice

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders individually sing and record "Child of the Universe" and play their performances back to the class for evaluation. Next, in groups, they sing "Deck the Hall," and sing the countermelody for evaluation. Then students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Syncopation in Pevensey Castle

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the syncopation rhythms from the musical piece, Pevensey Castle. They count and execute rhythms, count syncopated rhythms, and clap and count rhythms.
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Article
Scott Alexander

The Red Hot Jazz Archive: Sidney Bechet

For Students 9th - 10th
Red Hot Jazz offers a biography, filmography, suggested reading, and links to many of Sidney Bechet's contemporaries as well as to other sites.
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Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: History of Ragtime

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: The Gerry Mulligan Collection

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of scores, recordings, and memorabilia of the jazz great Gerry Mulligan.
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Article
Scott Alexander

The Red Hot Jazz Archive: James Fletcher Henderson

For Students 9th - 10th
Biography, discography, suggested reading, and links to Fletcher Henderson's contemporaries.
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Sti Lesson 31: Syncopation and Rhythm

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Music students rarely see the value or have any interest in music other than their favorite popular artist or group. By showing connections and similarities between current music and 'classical' music, the teacher begins to break down...
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Article
OpenStax

Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Listening to Ragtime

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Billie Holiday Was Born

For Students 9th - 10th
Billie Holiday is one of the most well-known blues singers of all time. Visit this Library of Congress site for more about her early years and some great photographs.
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Unit Plan
Open Curriculum

Open Curriculum: Syncopation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
To understand and provide examples of syncopation
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Handout
Other

St. Louis Walk of Fame: Scott Joplin

For Students 9th - 10th
This site discusses the life of Scott Joplin and his contribution to the musical world. The information is brief but covers the main events in his life.
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Handout
Other

All About Jazz: Fletcher Henderson

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of Fletcher Henderson, including suggested listening and suggested reading materials.
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Handout
Other

Bob's Byway: Glossary of Poetic Terms

For Students 9th - 10th
Calling itself "unique," Bob's is easy to use, with cross-links throughout, phonetic pronunciation guides when necessary, and many examples and quotations. Click on the letter and scroll for the word.
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Article
OpenStax

Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Ragtime

For Students 9th - 10th
An early form of jazz, Ragtime music is discussed in this web site. Touching on its origins to its lasting influence, you will be sure to learn more about it here.
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Article
OpenStax

Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Syncopation

For Students 9th - 10th
Understand what syncopation means by reading about it at this web page. Includes audio examples and written examples that help to make this type of rhythm easier to understand.