"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.

Introduce your students to the music of Duke Ellington, one of the most influential jazz composers of the 20th century! Through his innovative compositions, exciting performances, and lifelong dedication to music, Ellington has inspired generations of fans and continues to be a source of inspiration today. Bring his music to life in your classroom and help students gain an appreciation of his unique style and lasting legacy.

What's Included:

1-page Resource Guide - This guide will get you started quickly! Just print and play.

Listening Sheet Star Rating Guides - A reference sheet illustrates the five-star rating system included in most listening sheets. Each frame has a description, with one being "okay" and 5 stars as "Wow!"

Listening Sheets - 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. There is a space for drawing and several non-musical elements to consider, such as animals and nature.

Weather and Emotions Listening Sheets

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.

2 Biography Pages - 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! A duplicate blank page is included for students to do their own research.

Composer Research Sheet - Students can use their favorite reference materials to compile a full page of facts about the composer's home country. Some of the research options include capital, continent, population, food, and more.

Composer Rating Activity - There are more options to profile the composer on the rating sheet, including which season and musical style they belong to. This can also be used as a listening sheet or as a bulletin board display.

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 and record their scores. Add a timer for an extra challenge.

Musical Selections (two pages per piece)

1. Take the 'A' Train
2. It Don't Mean a Thing
3. Mood Indigo
4. In a Sentimental Mood
5. Perdido
6. Rockin' in Rhythm
7. C-Jam Blues
8. Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue

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 musical genius of Duke Ellington with this printable word search! Challenge your students to search for Ellington-themed words in this fun, engaging activity, perfect for any music or history lesson. Explore the influence of Duke Ellington in shaping American music and explore his fascinating life story with this exciting word search!

No Prep! Word search activities offer many benefits for students. They can help students learn new vocabulary, improve spelling skills, and develop problem-solving abilities. These word search activities are great for reviewing musical concepts in a fun and challenging way! Word search activities also make engaging brain breaks and bell-ringers.

Students search for Ellington-themed words in this 15x15 word grid. 15 words can be found up, down, or across! Answer key included.

Fifteen Vocabulary Words

• up
• down
• across
• diagonally

Word Search Benefits

• Vocabulary: introduces learners to new words and their meanings, which can help to expand their vocabulary.
• Spelling: teaches the correct spelling of words.
• Visual perception: students scan a grid and identify patterns, which can help to improve their visual perception skills.
• Problem-solving: helps students develop problem-solving skills by challenging them to find words that are hidden in a grid.
• Focus: Word searches can help students focus and concentrate, which can be helpful for other academic tasks.
• Memory: helps improve memory by requiring students to remember the words that they have already found.

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.