Lesson Plan Title : Exploring Black Musicians from 1900-1950

Age Range: Grade 9 through Grade 12 (High School)

Overview and Purpose: American history is full of many great black musicians that performed between 1900 and 1950. In this activity, students prepare a Power Point presentation about the life of one of them.

Objective: The student will be able to present a report on a black musician who performed between 1900 and 1950.

Resources:

List of various black musicians from the first half of the 20th century

Internet access for each student

Various props the student may need to present their report

Activities:

Have students choose a black musician from the list (or they can find one on their own). Have them research the musician's life and musical career and present a Power Point presentation about them. The students should include information about the musician's personal life, style of music, professional accomplishments, and community or social involvement.

Wrap Up:

The classroom could be turned into an old-fashioned nightclub to set the atmosphere for the student's presentations. Students could also be encouraged to dress and talk in the style of the day that their musician lived.