EASY Jazz Music Lessons and Activities K-8

Learn about jazz with these EASY jazz music lessons & activities using instruments, singing, movement, and creating. Perfect for K-8 elementary music.

Jazz is perfect all year long but can be a special emphasis in February for Black History Month, March for Women’s History Month, or April for Jazz History Month.

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Is Jazz music too hard for kids to understand?

Jazz music is often more complicated in its structure so teachers sometimes avoid teaching about it. But like all music, if you sit back and listen to it, you begin to hear the salient characteristics that will make it approachable for even your youngest students. This often is form, instrumentation, improvisation, melody, and rhythm.

EASY Jazz Music Lessons & Activities

Jazz: What is a genre? (Grades K-5)

In the book, Jazz Dog, stereotypes, inclusion, and overcoming our fears and following our dreams are primary themes.

Check out this great read aloud video and lesson plan for Jazz Dog.

So what happens when Us3, a rap/jazz group, decides to sample a classic jazz piece by Herbie Hancock? A mix of genres that is FABULOUS.

A sample is when you use a portion of a song to create something new. Us3 a Rap/Jazz group sampled part of a Jazz piece called Cantaloupe Island and created Cantaloop! Like Jazz Dog and his friends, Us3 likes to try different genres.

Listen to a little of the original by Herbie Hancock, then listen to Us3’s version.

Beat Island Jazz (Grades 4-6)

Finally, jazz that kids can play! The Orff arrangement blends jazz, improvisation, & rap (no song to sing) with easy ostinati. Inspired by Herbie Hancock’s Cantaloupe Island & Us3’s Cantaloop, the guided-learning slides are no/low prep!

Jazz History from Africa to Today (Grades K-5)

Using the book, “The Sound That Jazz Makes” by Carole Boston Weatherford with illustrations by Eric Velasquez, Books Alive for Kids has a full unit of study of the history of Jazz music from Africa to today.

This Black History through song uses video, jazz discussion questions, interactive vocabulary lessons, an art project creating a portrait of a Jazz artist, and cross-curricular activities.

There’s something for everyone in this unit, some more appropriate for K-2 and some more for 3-5.

Books About Jazz for Kids

The Sound That Jazz Makes is featured in the unit above.

Welcome to Jazz is a perfect choice for centers with its interactive sound buttons.

Intro to Jazz Improvisation (Grades 5-8)

How do you teach jazz improvisation to kids? Here are EASY Jazz music lessons, activities, and ideas to make it a breeze!

1. Introduce Jazz and New Orleans through the heart and experience of Sean Ardoin with this video from Amplify. (23 minutes)

1. Whole-Group Instrument With Am Loop
   • Barred Instruments-Using la-based C pentatonic (CDE GA) have students improvise using this Am loop. (see below)
     • Stay on the note A and try different rhythms. Try two notes (A and C) with lots of A.
   • Ukuleles-Use the A string and try different rhythms. Staying on A string, add fret 3 “C” to the improvising.
2. Small Group Project With Am Loop
   • In groups of 3 or 4, take turns improvising to create a performance. Use a time limit (i. e. 2 minutes) and a rubric that rates: time limit, everyone taking a turn, creativity.
   • Instruments can be ukuleles, barred instruments, or a mix.

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Then & Now Unit (Grades 5-8)

In singles or partners, students create a Google Slides presentation highlighting a Jazz artist or group from the past and one from the present.

Use a rubric to set the presentation guidelines with regard to content, the actual presentation (Google Slides), use of media, reflection summary, and creativity.

Create a Google Slide template for the students to use with the basics outlined above.

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Easy Jazz Music Lessons With Movement (Grades K-5)

Solar by Miles Davis

Feeling the relationship between quarter, half, and whole notes.

Stuffy Turkey by Thelonious Monk

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International Jazz Day Listening Activity (Grades 3-8)

April 30 is International Jazz Day. Watch three short videos that highlight jazz music and musicians.

1. A brief history of the day. (2:30)
2. Spotlight Artist-Esperanza Spaulding (3:30)
3. Trombone Shorty (book) Read Aloud (9:30)

Spotlight Artist Thelonious Monk (Grades 2-5)

Check out this lesson revolving around Monk’s fun piece, “Stuffy Turkey.” The lesson includes a biography and movement activities to Stuffy Turkey.

Spotlight Artist Dave Brubeck (Grades 3-6)

Check out this easy Jazz music lesson that includes a biography then lots of activities related to the iconic piece, “Take 5.” You’ll find

1. body percussion
2. movement/parachutes
3. speech and instrument activities
4. a vocal version with Al Jarreau
5. other cover versions for LOTS of fun
6. a creative writing opp
7. a Kahoot game

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Easy Jazz Music Lessons Resources

Jazz Is Elementary (by Darla S. Hanley & Allison P. Kipp)

This resource outlines ways to learn about Jazz music with active and creative activities. It also has a curated Spotify playlist that one user says, “…is amazing.”

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Decorations & Outfits

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Colorful, artsy renderings of all that JAZZ with tons of different background COLORS!

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