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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Now's the Time, Charlie Parker Now's the Time, Eddie Jefferson

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students delve into the music of bebop style jazz and the life and talents of some of the great musicians. The styles of Charlie Parker and James Moody are compared and contrasted in this lesson.
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Website
American Movie Classics Company

The Film Site: The History of Film: The 1920's

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about the history of film.
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Website
American Academy of Achievement

Academy of Achievement: Johnny Mathis

For Students 9th - 10th
A biography of singer Johnny Mathis, an inductee into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Includes a profile, videos, and a photo gallery.
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Website
Other

The Official Web Site of Billie Holiday

For Students 9th - 10th
Visit the official web site of jazz singer Billie Holiday. This site includes a short biography, her career summary, photos and quotes.
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Activity
Other

For Many, One: Passing From Light to Dark

For Students 9th - 10th
This scholarly article looks into the treatment of race and ethnicity in the 1920s and how they were handled in popular culture. Read about stereotypes of African Americans and immigrants from Asia and southern Europe and find out how...
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Handout
National Women’s History Museum

National Women's History Museum: Hazel Scott

For Students 9th - 10th
Jazz pianist and singer Hazel Scott was not only the first African-American woman to host her own television show, but she also bravely stood up to the House Un-American Activities Committee and the Hollywood studio machine.
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Handout
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Explore Pa History: Billie Holiday

For Students 9th - 10th
Examine the life and historical contributions of renown jazz vocalist and Pennsylvania native, Billie Holiday in this concise biography.
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Handout
Other

Down Beat Magazine: Billie Holiday

For Students 9th - 10th
Jazz singer Billie Holiday is featured on this Down Beat website with a biography, pictures and a discography of her recording career.
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Handout
PBS

Pbs American Masters: Sarah Vaughan

For Students 9th - 10th
An informative biography of jazz singer Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990 CE) is presented highlighting her long musical career.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Billie Holiday

For Students 9th - 10th
Jazz vocalist Billie Holiday is considered to be the best of all time. Read more about her life on this PBS American Masters site.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Lena Horne

For Students 9th - 10th
PBS profiles American jazz singer and actress Lena Horne's life and music. Includes video.
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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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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Billy Joel

For Students 9th - 10th
Here you will find much information about one of "rock and roll's most talented and accomplished songwriters". He's had 13 Top Ten hits including 'Piano Man', 'It's Still Rock and Roll to Me', and 'We didn't Start the Fire' while also...
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Website
American Movie Classics Company

The Film Site: The Jazz Singer

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource discusses one of the earliest "talkie" films entitled, The Jazz Singer.
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Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Holliday, Billie

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia entry tells of Billie Holliday's life. She was, perhaps, the most accomplished jazz vocalist. There is a link to a PBS website for further information.
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Handout
Curated OER

National Park Service: International Civil Rights Walk of Fame: Nancy Wilson

For Students 9th - 10th
Grammy Award winning Nancy Wilson, a civil rights activist, is the center of this brief biography.
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Website
Other

The Unofficial Billie Holiday Website

For Students 9th - 10th
Even though it is unauthorized, this is an exceptional site about jazz singer Billie Holiday. Included in this site is information about her life, her music and other resources leading to this jazz legend.
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Handout
PBS

Pbs: American Masters: Ella Fitzgerald

For Students 9th - 10th
Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald is featured on this PBS site. Find out about her life and musical career. Be sure to check out the interactive career timeline as well.
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Handout
Other

Class Act: Lena Horne

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the career of actress and singer Lena Horne; the site provides a brief biography highlighting her life. Included are also links to some of the major films she was in.
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Website
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Louis Armstrong

For Students 9th - 10th
Offers interesting biographical details on jazz musician, Louis Armstrong, a 1990 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key events and essential songs list.
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Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Sarah Vaughan

For Students 9th - 10th
Summarizes the life and career of Sarah Vaughan, an American jazz vocalist and pianist known for her rich voice.
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Handout
Danuta Bois

Distinguished Women of Past and Present: Ella Fitzgerald

For Students 3rd - 8th
This is a very short article on Ella Fitzgerald, a jazz singer who was discovered while "singing in a Harlem talent show."
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Handout
Danuta Bois

Distinguished Women of Past and Present: Billie Holiday

For Students 3rd - 8th
This is a very brief encyclopedia article on the life and music of Billie Holiday (1915-1959).