Curated OER
Billie Holiday's Song "Strange Fruit"
Pupils analyze a variety of primary source materials related to lynching (news articles, letters written to or written by prominent Americans, pamphlets, broadsides, etc.) in order to assess the effectiveness of the anti-lynching...
Curated OER
Jazz and World War II: A Rally to Resistance, A Catalyst for Victory
Students examine the impact of WWII on the development of jazz music and consider how jazz music helped to boost morale of both soldiers and those left at home. They identify the function of jazz as a cultural export and discuss its...
Curated OER
Jazz in America Lesson Plan 5
Students survey Bebop and identify the basic terms associated with jazz.They experience the music of Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday and participate in a class discussion regarding jazz's contribution to and reflection of American...
World of Teaching
Black History Month 2008
A list of prominent African-Americans and their accomplishments makes up this presentation on Black History Month. Leaders in sports, the arts, science, and entertaining will help viewers connect with the voluminous contributions of the...
Curated OER
Lady Sings the Blues
Learners explore women and music in the 20th century. In this music lesson, students study the relationship between literature and music through The Color Purple and music by Ethel Waters, MA Rainey, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Ella...
Curated OER
Baltimore's Jazz Legacy
Explore Marylanders, Eubie Blake, Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway, and Chick Webb.
PBS
Pbs: Independent Lens: Strange Fruit, the Film
Website on Strange Fruit, a documentary film about the history and legacy of the protest song "Strange Fruit." Includes the lyrics and audio for the song.
PBS
Pbs: Jazz Is About Freedom
One of the objectives in this lesson plan focus on how jazz contributed to the political awareness of the American public concerning lynching. Using Billie Holiday's anti-lynching song Strange Fruit, students will learn about lynching...
Other
The Official Web Site of Billie Holiday
Visit the official web site of jazz singer Billie Holiday. This site includes a short biography, her career summary, photos and quotes.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Jazz and Ww Ii: A Rally to Resistance, a Catalyst for Victory
Lesson plan that teaches the roles that jazz music and jazz musicians played in the war effort and that demonstrates the effect that the war had on jazz in America.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Explore Pa History: Billie Holiday
Examine the life and historical contributions of renown jazz vocalist and Pennsylvania native, Billie Holiday in this concise biography.
Other
Down Beat Magazine: Billie Holiday
Jazz singer Billie Holiday is featured on this Down Beat website with a biography, pictures and a discography of her recording career.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Billie Holiday Classroom Activity
A short lesson/activity over the popular jazz artist Billie Holiday, in particular her song "Strange Fruit." Provides a link to the song's lyrics and a clip, as well as other lesson plans, web links, and a bibliography. From April 7, 2007.
PBS
Pbs: American Masters: Billie Holiday
Jazz vocalist Billie Holiday is considered to be the best of all time. Read more about her life on this PBS American Masters site.
Other
Famous Singers
Biographical profiles of famous singers in major musical genres. Includes photo and links to snippets of their songs.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Billie Holiday Was Born
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.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Billie Holiday
Biographical details on jazz singer Billie Holiday, a 2000 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Includes a timeline of key life events, essential songs list, and recommended reading.
Library of Congress
Loc: Web Guides: A Guide to Harlem Renaissance Materials
Presents the Library's resources as well as links to external web sites on the Harlem Renaissance, and a bibliography.
Black Past
Black Past: Holliday, Billie
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.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Great War & Jazz Age (1914 1928)
This Library of Congress time-line series surveys World War I and the Jazz Age. When World War I broke out in Europe, many changes were going on in the United States. Women were voting for the first time and African-American culture was...
Other
The Unofficial Billie Holiday Website
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.
Other
All About Jazz
Has reviews, interviews, and articles. Of special interest is the jazz time-line.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance influenced not only African American culture in the Jazz Age, but all of American culture. Read about some of the shining stars of African American literature and music of the age.
Danuta Bois
Distinguished Women of Past and Present: Billie Holiday
This is a very brief encyclopedia article on the life and music of Billie Holiday (1915-1959).