$5 - $10 1st Grade Black History Month Independent Work Packet (by date, latest first)

Print & Play! Do you need engaging and mindful activities to commemorate Dr. King's birthday? What did the world sound like when he was born in 1929? Which composers produced the soundtrack to history and change? This collection of listening sheets will immerse your group inside of a musical time capsule.

Inspired by the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr! This set of listening sheets include classical compositions from the year of his birth - January 15, 1929.

To incorporate the season, students color in snowflakes when giving each piece their star rating!

Listening Sheets Included:

01. Viola Concerto, William Walton

02. Chôros No. 9, Heitor Villa-Lobos

03. Violin Sonata No. 1, Op. 51, Joaquín Turina

04. Cello Sonata, Op. 50, Ernst Toch

05. Bunte Suite, Op. 48, Ernst Toch

06. Capriccio, Igor Stravinsky

07. Piano Piece Op. 33 (a), Arnold Schoenberg

08. Petite Suite, Op. 39, Albert Roussel

09. Piano Concerto in E major, Julius Röntgen

10. Prodigal Son, op. 46, Sergei Prokofiev

11. Rhapsody No. 1, Béla Bartók

12. String Quartet, Op. 89, Amy Beach

13. Rhapsody for String Quartet, Benjamin Britten

14. Rondo Veneziano, Ildebrando Pizzetti

15. Sinfonietta in F, Igor Markevitch

16. Symphony No. 2, Wilhelm Kempff

17. American Portraits, Roy Harris

18. Piano Concerto, Henry Cowell

19. Chôros No. 13, Heitor Villa-Lobos

20. Berceuse, Igor Stravinsky

Listening Sheet - There are no wrong answers! Students can note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more.

Weather & Feelings - Weather is a recurring theme in classical music. Does a musical piece remind the listener of a snowy day or a cheerful sunny afternoon? Students can select the weather symbols that come to mind. Is the music happy or sad? A set of emotional characters allows your group to pick the feelings that best relate to a piece of music.

Need More Black History Month Resources?

Share stories, create conversations, and spark a deeper appreciation for the arts all month (and all year) long! Explore ALL of the Black History Month composer packs, activities, and digital resources.

"This is one of my favorite things that I purchased last school year. It's a great resource to use any time of the year." - Stuck on Music Class

Print & Play! Do you need engaging and mindful activities for your Black History Month units/plans? Add music (and history!) with this selection of printable listening sheets by George Walker, Scott Joplin, Florence Price, and more!

► See the FULL PREVIEW for an inside look! Please feel free to ask any questions below.

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of composers
• familiarity with the composer's works
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of classical music
• identify different instrument sounds
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within classical music
• creative expression by drawing and choosing colors related to a musical theme

Listening Sheets Included: (two per piece)

1. Symphony No. 3 in C Minor, Florence Price
2. Sinfonia No. 3, George Walker
3. Violin and Piano Sonata No. 2, George Walker
4. Symphony in G Major, Op. 11, No. 1, Joseph Bologne
5. Violin Concerto in G Major, Op.2, No. 1, Joseph Bologne
6. Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Florence Price
7. Deep River, Op. 59, No. 10, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
8. Hiawatha's Wedding Feast, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
9. Afro-American Symphony, William Grant Still
10. Weeping Willow, Scott Joplin
11. Sunflower Slow Drag, Scott Joplin
12. Blue in Green, Miles Davis
13. After the Rain, John Coltrane
14. Troubled Water, Margaret Bonds

Listening Sheet - There are no wrong answers! Students can note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more.

Weather & Feelings - Weather is a recurring theme in classical music. Does a musical piece remind the listener of a snow day or a cheerful sunny afternoon? Students can select the weather symbols that come to mind. Is the music happy or sad? A set of emotional characters allows your group to pick the feelings that best relate to a piece of music.

BONUS! Black History Month Emoji Listening Sheets

Each featured piece also has an emoji listening sheet (15 pages.)

Emoji Listening Sheets include:

Emoji Rating Guide (14 emojis to choose from, color and b&w)

Listening Sheets - there are no wrong answers! Students can use the checkboxes to note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more!

Checkbox options:

Time, nature, settings, instruments, colors, and more! Students can also color in the emojis that best describe their listening experience in the emoji grid.

The 'Inspiration Box' can be used for:

Drawing/doodling, journaling, notes, poetry, etc.

Need More Black History Month Resources?

Share stories, create conversations, and spark a deeper appreciation for the arts all month (and all year) long! Explore ALL of the Black History Month composer packs, activities, and digital resources.

"Another great resource to teach Scott Joplin! Students love learning about the man who made "the ice cream truck song!" :)" - Dibble's Dabbles

Just print & play! Do you need engaging classical music activities or music sub plans? These printable listening sheets offer creative ways for students to learn more about the life and compositions of Scott Joplin!

What’s Inside:

• Five Star Rating Guide
• Composer Fact Sheet: Each composer fact sheet in this series includes fun, basic information – full name, birthplace, birth date, and more. One of the composer’s most popular compositions is also included. The fact sheet contains a place for writing fun facts or notes.
• Word Composer Activity: In the classic letter puzzle, students can use all the letters from the composer's full name to create new, shorter words. Add a timer for an extra challenge.
• Birthplace Fact Sheet: Use your favorite geographical resource to find the country’s language(s), leadership, traditional foods, and more! The historical name of some territories may have changed, but the most modern country is used for easy reference.
• Birthday Coloring Page: A fun coloring page repeats the composer’s birthday, and invites the artist to color in a special cupcake to celebrate the occasion.
• Composer Study Page: Students compile a short biographical page with the composer's full name, birthplace, instruments, and more!
• Composer Vocabulary Another six-word vocabulary list that typically includes the composer’s name, birthplace, instrument, or other related terms. Space is provided to trace each term and the included handwriting paper can be used for additional practice.
• Full Writing Page
• Writing/Drawing Page
• Drawing Page
• Listening Activity Sheets Listening sheets include the title of a popular piece, the composer, a black & white composer to color in, and a space for drawing any scene that may come to mind when listening. There are additional options to identify the mood of a piece and indicate which instruments are playing.
• Weather Color & Listen Sheet: While listening to the selected piece, students can color in the weather elements they feel and hear.
• Emotions Color & Listen Sheet: Students color the character(s) that best identify their emotions while listening to the music.
• Emojis Color & Listen Sheet: Twelve emojis to choose from! Students choose the emoji faces that best match their feelings or impressions about the music.

Printable Listening Sheets (four pages per piece!)

1. The Entertainer
2. Maple Leaf Rag
3. Augustan Club Waltz
4. Kismet Rag
5. Ragtime Dance
6. Weeping Willow Rag
7. Swipesy Cake Walk
8. Silver Swan Rag
9. Fig Leaf Rag
10. Pleasant Moments

Need More Black History Month Resources?

Share stories, create conversations, and spark a deeper appreciation for the arts all month (and all year) long! Explore ALL of the Black History Month composer packs, activities, and digital resources.

"I used this for Black History Month with my 3rd-5th grades and it was great! I used the listening pages to compare/contrast "Take the A Train" pieces with the symphony or with the vocalists and the students ate it up! Thank you!!!!!!!!" - Danelle F.

Just print & play! Do you need engaging jazz activities or music sub plans? These printable listening sheets offer creative ways for students to learn more about the life and compositions of Edward "Duke" Ellington! There are now three sets in one!

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of American jazz composer Duke Ellington
• familiarity with the composer's works
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of music
• identify different instrument sounds
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within the music
• creative expression by drawing and choosing colors related to a musical theme

Did You Know?

• Edward Ellington was known as the "Duke" for his suave and classy demeanor.
• He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1966.
• The "Duke" was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969.
• "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.

★ Duke Ellington Classical Music Listening Activities

What’s Inside:

• Five Star Rating Guide
• Composer Fact Sheet: Each composer fact sheet in this series includes fun, basic information – full name, birthplace, birth date, and more. One of the composer’s most popular compositions is also included. The fact sheet contains a place for writing fun facts or notes.
• Word Composer Activity: In the classic letter puzzle, students can use all the letters from the composer's full name to create new, shorter words. Add a timer for an extra challenge.
• Birthplace Fact Sheet: Use your favorite geographical resource to find the country’s language(s), leadership, traditional foods, and more! The historical name of some territories may have changed, but the most modern country is used for easy reference.
• Birthday Coloring Page: A fun coloring page repeats the composer’s birthday, and invites the artist to color in a special cupcake to celebrate the occasion.
• Composer Study Page: Students compile a short biographical page with the composer's full name, birthplace, instruments, and more!
• Composer Vocabulary A six-word vocabulary list that typically includes the composer’s name, birthplace, instrument, or other related terms. Space is provided to trace each term and the included handwriting paper can be used for additional practice.
• Full Writing Page
• Writing/Drawing Page
• Drawing Page
• Listening Activity Sheets Listening sheets include the title of a popular piece, the composer, a black & white composer to color in, and a space for drawing any scene that may come to mind when listening. There are additional options to identify the mood of a piece and indicate which instruments are playing.
• Weather Color & Listen Sheet: While listening to the selected piece, students can color in the weather elements they feel and hear.
• Emotions Color & Listen Sheet: Students color the character(s) that best identify their emotions while listening to the music.
• Emojis Color & Listen Sheet: Twelve emojis to choose from! Students choose the emoji faces that best match their feelings or impressions about the music.

★ Duke Ellington Classical Music Activities, Black History Month, April, Jazz

Printable Listening Sheets (four pages per piece!)

1. Take the 'A' Train
2. It Don't Mean a Thing
3. In a Sentimental Mood
4. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
5. Perdido
6. Rockin' in Rhythm
7. C-Jam Blues
8. Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue
9. Soda Fountain Rag
10. Harlem

Resource Contents:

Composer Fact Sheet - From the composer's birthplace to the instruments they've studied, this one-page reference sheet will make a great handout for your students.

Birthplace Guide - Add in some geographical research to discover more about where the composer was born! This page includes space for writing the capital, language, and even a popular food.

Listening Sheet - There are no wrong answers! Students can note how they feel and what they imagine while listening to a selected piece of music. Choose from the musical instruments, nature scenes, colors, and more.

Weather & Feelings - Weather is a recurring theme in classical music. Does a musical piece remind the listener of a snowy day or a cheerful sunny afternoon? Students can select the weather symbols that come to mind. Is the music happy or sad? A set of emotional characters allows your group to pick the feelings that best relate to a piece of music.

Printable Listening Sheet Sets Include:

1. It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing
2. In a Sentimental Mood
3. Take the 'A' Train
4. Mood Indigo
5. I Let a Song Go Out of my Heart
6. Perdido
7. Rockin' in Rhythm

★ BONUS FILE! Duke Ellington Carnival Listening Sheets (same music!)

These NEW activity sheets feature a carnival theme! Students can color their own carnival while listening to this selection of Duke Ellington compositions!

Which carnival rides and activities would best fit a piece of music? Does the tempo feel like a roller coaster or a peaceful swing ride in the sky? Choose a tasty treat from the snack bar, then stop at the prize booth before finishing. There are no wrong answers!

Carnival Listening Sheets Include:

1. It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got That Swing
2. In a Sentimental Mood
3. Take the 'A' Train
4. Mood Indigo
5. I Let a Song Go Out of my Heart
6. Perdido
7. Rockin' in Rhythm
8. Soda Fountain Rag

Need More Black History Month Resources?

Share stories, create conversations, and spark a deeper appreciation for the arts all month (and all year) long! Explore ALL of the Black History Month composer packs, activities, and digital resources.

Unlock the genius of the ragtime king with engaging listening activities, biography pages, and even a word puzzle! Students learn about this prolific composer and his iconic works through interactive worksheets while exploring Joplin's distinct American sound.

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of American composer Scott Joplin
• familiarity with the 'ragtime' style of music
• familiarity with the composer's works
• ability to recognize, and engage with, popular pieces of music
• identify different instrument sounds
• social-emotional exploration of feelings and moods within the music
• creative expression by drawing and choosing colors related to a musical theme

What's Included:

• 1-page Resource Guide
• Listening Sheet Star Rating Guide (Students rate with pumpkins!)
• Listening Sheets
• Weather and Emotions Listening Sheets
• Composer Biography Page - fact sheet (1 or 2 facts are already provided, a box to paste/draw the composer's portrait, and a birthday box to color in and decorate cupcakes!
• Composer Research Sheet - students can use their favorite reference materials to compile a full page of facts about the composer's home country.
• Composer Rating Activity - there are more options to profile the composer on the rating sheet, including which season and musical style they belong to.
• Word Composer Activity - the classic letter puzzle, students can use all the letters from the composer's full name to create new, shorter words and record their score.

Scott Joplin Printable Listening Sheets: (two pages per piece)

1. The Entertainer
2. Maple Leaf Rag
3. Augustan Club Waltz
4. Kismet Rag
5. Ragtime Dance
6. Weeping Willow Rag
7. Swipesy Cake Walk
8. Silver Swan Rag

Ragtime Break! This ragtime-themed brain break activity pack features five compositions by Scott Joplin! The Star Rating and Emoji guides are included as a fun reference (color/b&w.) Also great for sub plans & sub tubs!

1. Great Crush Collision March (1896)
2. Harmony Club Waltz (1896)
3. March Majestic (1902)
4. The Rosebud March (1905)
5. Rose Leaf Rag (1907)

Do you need fun and engaging brain breaks? This classical music activity pack features 6 listening activities to experience! The Star Rating and Emoji guides are included as a fun reference (color/b&w.) Also great for sub plans & sub tubs!

Featured Music:

1. The Easy Winners, Scott Joplin

Need More Black History Month Resources?

Share stories, create conversations, and spark a deeper appreciation for the arts all month (and all year) long! Explore ALL of the Black History Month composer packs, activities, and digital resources.