Blues Music Lesson Plan
BLUES MUSIC
I've been developing lessons for my kindergarten classes since 2017. I like to plan out the order in which I present them semi-chronologically. I say that because when we talk about genres of music, movements, or try to figure out who exactly created rock & roll, it can be blurry. I also make sure to start at the beginning so that students can see who influenced whom, and how music evolves over the years. The Rolling Stones were influenced heavily by American blues (their band name comes from a Muddy Waters song), and there would be no Elvis Presley without Sister Rosetta Tharpe shredding on her electric guitar much earlier.
Here, we begin before all of that to lay a foundation of what music in the VERY olden days was like. Jazz music was meant to "swing," or have that upbeat feeling. Then, Swing music was born, with lots of brass and wind instruments that made everyone want to swing each other around the dance floor.
Students create an old-timey black and white advertisement for an imaginary swing party that they will be hosting. They will use the images provided, or create their own to announce to the public that they are invited to dance the night away. They'll need to add important information so that guests know where to be, what time the party begins, and which musicians or composers will be there.
This Lesson Plan includes:
Summary
Materials List
Musicians to Research
Activity Step-by-Step
Printable Activity Sheet
Materials needed:
Printout
Scissors
Glue Stick
1 Sheet of copy paper per student
Colored pencils, crayons, or markers in black and gray only
