Website
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Duke Ellington

For Students 3rd - 5th
Explore the fascinating life of a founding father of jazz music. Duke Ellington (1899-1974 CE) was a gifted musician and composer from an early age. This website provides you with a detailed account of his life and his accomplishments.
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Making of African American Identity: The Promised Land?

For Students 9th - 10th
A short story and a painting illustrating African American perceptions of Northern cities. Rudolph Fisher's short story "The City of Refuge" and William H. Johnson's painting Moon over Harlem offer insight into life within the black...
Website
Digital History

Digital History: Fundamentalism and Pentecostalism

For Students 9th - 10th
The late 19th century was a time of scientific theory, inquiry, and teaching. Read about the backlash to such modernism in the early 20th century with the ideas from Christian Fundamentalism and Pentecostalism. Find the five fundamentals...
Website
Other

Nlbpa: Negro Leagues Baseball History

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the history of early Negro baseball beginnings in the late 19th century before reading about the advent of the Negro National League in the 1920s. Baseball was the American pastime for everyone in the 1920s and 1930s.
Article
Other

African American Registry: The Cakewalk, a Black Expression Through Dance

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource presents an article on the Cakewalk, a popular dance in the early 1900s that originated with black slaves impersonating their masters.
Handout
PBS

Classics for Kids: Scott Joplin

For Students 3rd - 8th
A short biography of Scott Joplin (1868-1917 CE). Click to the past radio shows to hear his music and learn more about this famous composer.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Carmen Mc Rae

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Carmen McRae, an American jazz vocalist and pianist who from an early emulation of vocalist Billie Holiday grew to become a distinctive stylist, known for her smoky voice and her melodic...
Article
OpenStax

Open Stax: Catherine Schmidt Jones: Scott Joplin

For Students 9th - 10th
Considered the "King Of Ragtime", Scott Joplin is introduced in this informative web page. Learn more about his background and his music.
Unknown Type
My Hero Project

My Hero: Scott Joplin

For Students 3rd - 8th
This article includes information on the life and musical contributions of Scott Joplin, the composer who gave us such songs as "The Entertainer" and "The Maple Leaf Rag."
Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Charles Lindbergh, Flying Cross

For Students 3rd - 8th
The accomplishments of Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart may not seem like much by today's standards, but for their time, they were quite the heroes! This site documents Charles Lindbergh's award of the Flying Cross for his...
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Louisiana

For Students 3rd - 8th
This article provides a brief overview of Louisiana, followed by numerous in depth articles regarding relevant events and traditions from this state.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Prince

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Prince, a singer, guitarist, songwriter, producer, dancer, and performer on keyboards, drums, and bass who was among the most talented American musicians of his generation. Like Stevie...
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Don Byas

For Students 9th - 10th
This entry from Encyclopedia Britannica features Don Byas, a black American jazz tenor saxophonist whose improvising was an important step in the transition from the late swing to the early bop eras.
Graphic
Curated OER

Picture of Charlie Parker

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the first part of an NPR Jazz Profile of Charlie Parker, innovative jazz saxophone player. Read about his early life up to his treatment for drug addiction in 1946. Listen to the NPR Jazz Profile segment, and click to hear some...
Graphic
Curated OER

Library of Congress: American Memory: Mrs. Belle Sherwin

For Students 9th - 10th
Mrs. Belle Sherwin, president of the National League of Women Voters, casts her ballot, 1928.