Jazz Roots Slides Jazz Journey
Finding the Rhythm of the Heart
What is Jazz?
Jazz is a special kind of music that started in New Orleans over 100 years ago.
It was created by Black Americans who blended African rhythms with new sounds.
"Jazz is the sound of freedom."
New Orleans, Louisiana
The Birthplace of Jazz
Making it Up: Improvisation
In Jazz, musicians don't just read notes on a page...
They Improvise!
That means they make up the music as they play, right from their hearts.
Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong
The King of the Trumpet
1
He invented a style of singing called Scatting.
2
His trumpet sound was bright, happy, and loud!
3
He showed the world that jazz was for everyone.
Watch:
"Musicians don't retire; they stop when there's no more music in them."
Ella Fitzgerald
The First Lady of Song
Ella used her voice just like a musical instrument.
She could sing very high, very low, and very fast!
"Shoo-be-doo-be-wop!"
Watch:
Listen for how she plays with the rhythm!
Your Turn!
Scatting is using "nonsense" words to make a melody. Try repeating after me:
DOO-DAT!
SKEE-BOP!
BE-BOP-A-LULA!
SHWEEEEEE-OOP!
Jazz is Hope
Jazz was born from hard times. Black musicians used music to find joy, share their stories, and celebrate their culture.
Every time you play jazz, you are telling a story.
Studio Time
Now it's your turn to be a jazz giant! Grab your Scat Cat Worksheet and your reading guide.
Worksheet
Reading
Scat Cat Worksheet Scat Cat Studio
Write Your Own Jazz Song!
NAME:
DATE:
1. What's the Word?
WORD BANK: SCAT IMPROVISE RHYTHM
S C A ___ (Singing with nonsense words)
I M P R O ___ ___ ___ E (Making it up as you go)
R H Y ___ ___ M (The heartbeat of the music)
2. My Scat Solo
Create your own scat words like Ella Fitzgerald! Write your "nonsense" words below.
Example: "Bop-shoo-be-do-waaaaa!"
3. How does Jazz feel?
When you listen to jazz, what do you see? Draw the music below.
Keep on swinging!
Jazz Giants Comprehension Reading Passage
The First Lady
of Song
NAME: __________________________
DATE: __________________________
Ella Fitzgerald was a world-famous jazz singer. She had a voice that was pure and clear. When Ella was a young girl, she loved to dance and sing.
Ella became famous for a special way of singing called scatting. She used her voice to sound like a horn or a drum. She didn't always use real words. Instead, she sang sounds like "skat-doo-dat!"
People called her the "First Lady of Song" because she was so talented. She won many awards and showed that Black women could be leaders in music. Ella's music still makes people want to dance today!
Check Your Understanding
1. What was Ella Fitzgerald's nickname?
The Queen of Trumpets
The First Lady of Song
The Scat Cat
2. What is "scatting"?
3. How did Ella use her voice?
Like a musical instrument
Only to tell stories with real words
To be quiet and shy
Spotlight Moment
Draw Ella Fitzgerald singing with a jazz band on a big stage!
Jazz Leader Guide Teacher Resource
Jazz Leader Guide
Grade Level
K - 2nd Grade
Duration
45 - 60 Minutes
Key Themes
Improvisation, Resilience
Learning Objectives
Identify Jazz as a Black American musical genre born in New Orleans.
Define improvisation and scatting.
Recognize icons like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.
Video Recommendations
1. Louis Armstrong - "Hello Dolly" (Live 1964)
Excellent for showing showmanship and his distinct, gravelly singing voice alongside trumpet play.
2. Ella Fitzgerald - "One Note Samba" (Scat Solo)
The definitive example for teaching scatting. Ask students to listen for the "instrument" in her voice.
3. Wynton Marsalis on "What is Jazz?"
Short clips from Lincoln Center's 'Jazz for Young People' are historically accurate and student-friendly.
Literacy & Comprehension Integration
Speaking & Listening
Encourage students to echo scat patterns. Use the Scat Cat Worksheet alongside the Ella Fitzgerald video. Ask: "Can you hear the trumpet in her voice?"
Reading Support
The Jazz Giants Comprehension passage about Ella Fitzgerald is designed for shared or guided reading. Focus on the word "Resilience"—how jazz created joy during hard times.
Differentiation Strategies
Support (K/Emergent)
Focus on the physical rhythm. Use clapping and stomping to explore 'Improvisation' before moving to paper tasks.
Challenge (Grade 2)
Ask students to write a 2-sentence 'story' for their scat song on the back of the worksheet.
Teacher Observation Log / Session Reflections
Use this space to note student engagement, successful scat-patterns, or questions that arose.
Jazz Journey Unit
Centering Black History through Musical Excellence
