Penguin Books
Up Close: Ella Fitzgerald
A reading of Tanya Lee Stones' biography of Ella Fitzgerald lets middle schoolers get up close and personal with the First Lady of Jazz. Stone recounts details of Fitzgerald's life from her early days through her experiences as a teenage...
Curated OER
Louis Armstrong
In this reading comprehension worksheet learners read a biography of jazz musician Louis Armstrong. Students answer 6 questions.
CHPCS
The United States in the 1920s: The New Negro Movement and the Harlem Renaissance
Music, writing, and activism all tell the story of history! The resource uses these elements and more in a presentation to discuss the Jazz Age and Harlem Renaissance. Your class views biographies, discusses important events, and...
Education World
Black History 102
Ten facts make up an activity in which scholars match the name of a famous Black American to a personal detail or accomplishment.
Teach With Movies
The Glenn Miller Story (Film) - Teacher's Guide
Anthony Mann's 1953 film biography, The Glenn Miller Story, is the focus of a series of activities that introduce class members to Miller's life and music. Of particular interest to music students will be the cameos by many famous...
Curated OER
Draw Me the Music
Students explore and investigate the foundation and history of jazz music. They listen to various pieces of music while creating drawings, develop a timeline of jazz history, and read and discuss biographies of famous jazz musicians.
Curated OER
Biography of the Millennium: 100 People, 1000 Years (4 Parts)
Students explore who are the most influential people of the past thousand years.
CommonLit
Common Lit: Louis Armstrong
A learning module that begins with "Louis Armstrong " by Jessica McBirney, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned online through free teacher...
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: Louis Armstrong: A Cultural Legacy
A brief biography of the life and musical career of Louis Armstrong from the National Portrait Gallery.
Scott Alexander
Red Hot Jazz: Louis Armstrong (1900 1971)
This site from Red Hot Jazz contains a good biography of Louis Armstrong, arguably the most influential jazz musician. Very interesting and informative, also includes a picture.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Jazz Giant Louis Armstrong
The Library of Congress takes a jump back in time to examine the life and career of jazz innovator Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong. Armstrong is known for his amazing talent as a jazz trumpeter and for his "scat" singing. This site will give...
Curated OER
Young Louis Armstrong
This is the first of a two-part profile of Louis Armstrong, renowned jazz trumpet player and singer. This biography covers his life through the 1930's. Read his biography, listen to he NPR profile, and click to hear some of his songs.
Academy of American Poets
Poets.org: Langston Hughes
This site provides a biography of Langston Hughes, followed by several of his poems (some complete with audio clips) and a bibliography of his more influential works.
abcteach
Abcteach: People
[Free Registration/Login Required] Print worksheets from biographies and autobiographies from famous people such as Sally Ride, Clara Barton, Abraham Lincoln, Francis Scott Key, Alexander the Great and many more.
Smithsonian Institution
The National Portrait Gallery
This is a great website of portraits of famous people. Includes pictures, biographical information, and general information on artists' techniques. Includes a "Hall of Presidents" and portraits of various celebrities and artists...