2nd Grade Black History Month Independent Work Packet

Just print & play! Do you need engaging music activities for Women's History Month? Each composer pack includes listening sheets, a research activity page, and more! Also great for sub plans.

Bundle Benefits:

• Save time! The music selections are already curated for you
• Add music appreciation to various lessons and unit studies
• Students explore social-emotional themes through listening
• Low-prep engaging and mindful activities for students
• Easily find the music on YouTube or your favorite music services
• No musical training is required - just print and play!

Learning Objectives

• increased knowledge of popular classical music 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

Each product includes:

• 1-page Resource Guide
• Listening Sheet Star Rating Guide (Students rate with stars or seasonal shapes!)
• 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.

Composer Packs Included:

Amy Beach

1. Romance for Violin and Piano, Op. 23
2. Gaelic Symphony in E Minor
3. 'Dreaming', Op. 15, No. 3
4. Piano Trio, Op. 150
5. String Quartet in One Movement, Op. 89
6. Violin Sonata in A Minor, Op. 34
7. Piano Concerto in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 45
8. Piano Quintet in in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 67

Florence Price

1. Symphony No. 3 in C Minor
2. Piano Sonata in E Minor
3. Violin Concerto No. 2
4. Sonata in E Minor
5. Symphony No. 4 in D Minor
6. Violin Concerto No. 1
7. Symphony No. 1 in E Minor
8. Symphony No. 2 in G Minor

Melba Liston

1. Insomnia
2. Blues Melba
3. You Don't Say
4. Wonder Why
5. Christmas Eve
6. The Dark Before The Dawn
7. What's My Line Theme
8. Exodus

Mary Lou Williams

1. Don't Blame Me
2. My Blue Heaven
3. All Blues
4. A Fungus Amungus
5. A Grand Night (sometimes spelled Nite) for Swinging
6. Scorpio
7. Gloria
8. Walkin' and Swingin'

Fanny Mendelssohn

Notturno in G Minor

02. Italien, Op. 8 No. 3

03. Piano Sonata in C Minor

04. String Quartet in E Flat

05. Sonata O Capriccio

06. Piano Trio, Op. 11

07. Das Heimweh, Op. 8 No. 2

08. Sehnsucht, Op. 9 No. 7

Clara Schumann

1. Three Romances for Violin and Piano
2. Piano Trio
3. Impromptu in E Major
4. Lorelei
5. Piano Concerto No. 1
6. Piano Trio in G Minor, Op. 17
7. 3 Preludes and Fugues, Op. 16
8. Romanze in A Minor

+ BONUS FILE

This bundle has you covered with engaging listening activities, but what about visual learning? Grab this pack of 70 Composer Fact Sheet Posters as a free bonus! These calming rainbow-themed posters can also work as handouts, or resize them in your print settings for colorful flashcards.

Just print & play! Do you need engaging classical music activities? Six modern composers are included in this activity/listening bundle! Each composer pack includes listening sheets, a research activity page, and more! Also great for sub plans.

Bundle Benefits:

• Save time! The music selections are already curated for you
• Add music appreciation to various lessons and unit studies
• Students explore social-emotional themes through listening
• Low-prep engaging and mindful activities for students
• Easily find the music on YouTube or your favorite music services
• No musical training is required - just print and play!

Each product includes:

• 1-page Resource Guide
• Listening Sheet Star Rating Guide (Students rate with stars or seasonal shapes!)
• 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.

Composer Packs Included:

Duke Ellington

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

John Williams

1. The Imperial March
2. Hedwig's Theme
3. Horn Concerto
4. Flight to Neverland
5. Journey to the Island
6. The Throne Room
7. Princess Leia's Theme
8. The Raiders March

Amy Beach

1. Romance for Violin and Piano, Op. 23
2. Gaelic Symphony in E Minor
3. 'Dreaming', Op. 15, No. 3
4. Piano Trio, Op. 150
5. String Quartet in One Movement, Op. 89
6. Violin Sonata in A Minor, Op. 34
7. Piano Concerto in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 45
8. Piano Quintet in in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 67

Florence Price

1. Symphony No. 3 in C Minor
2. Piano Sonata in E Minor
3. Violin Concerto No. 2
4. Sonata in E Minor
5. Symphony No. 4 in D Minor
6. Violin Concerto No. 1
7. Symphony No. 1 in E Minor
8. Symphony No. 2 in G Minor

George Walker

1. Sinfonia No. 4
2. Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1
3. String Quartet No. 2
4. Piano Sonata No. 5
5. Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
6. Bleu for Unaccompanied Violin
7. Concerto for Piano and Orchestra
8. Pageant and Proclamation

George Gershwin

1. Rhapsody in Blue
2. An American in Paris
3. Someone to Watch Over Me
4. Concerto in F
5. Foggy Day
6. Cuban Overture
7. Walking the Dog

+ BONUS FILE

This bundle has you covered with engaging listening activities, but what about visual learning? Grab this pack of 70 Composer Fact Sheet Posters as a free bonus! These calming rainbow-themed posters can also work as handouts, or resize them in your print settings for colorful flashcards.

Do you need engaging listening activities for November, Autumn, or Thanksgiving? Celebrate the composers with November birthdays! This bundle includes:

• Aaron Copland (November 14th)
• Benjamin Britten (November 22nd)
• Fanny Mendelssohn (November 14th)
• Scott Joplin (November 24th)

Each Composer Resource Includes:

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.

Aaron Copland Listening Sheets:

1. Appalachian Spring
2. Four Piano Blues
3. An Outdoor Adventure
4. Down a Country Lane
5. Ceremonial Fanfare
6. Midsummer Nocturne
7. Midday Thoughts
8. Letter From Home

Benjamin Britten Listening Sheets:

1. The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra
2. Simple Symphony
3. Violin Concerto No. 5
4. Spring Symphony
5. Cuckoo (Friday Afternoons)
6. Sinfonia Da Requiem
7. Cello Sonata, Op. 65
8. Ballad of Heroes

Fanny Mendelssohn Listening Sheets:

1. Notturno in G Minor
2. Italien, Op. 8 No. 3
3. Piano Sonata in C Minor
4. String Quartet in E Flat
5. Sonata O Capriccio
6. Piano Trio, Op. 11
7. Das Heimweh, Op. 8 No. 2
8. Sehnsucht, Op. 9 No. 7

Scott Joplin Listening Sheets:

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

► We know you'll love helping students create meaningful connections to classical music, so we are happy to share these free listening activities with you today!

Just print & play! Do you need engaging music activities for Jazz Appreciation Month? Each composer/musician pack includes listening sheets, a research activity page, and more! Enjoy during April for Jazz Appreciation Month or throughout the whole year! Also great for sub plans.

Bundle Benefits:

• Save time! The music selections are already curated for you
• Add music appreciation to various lessons and unit studies
• Students explore social-emotional themes through listening
• Low-prep engaging and mindful activities for students
• Easily find the music on YouTube or your favorite music services
• No musical training is required - just print and play!

Each product includes:

• 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.

Dizzy Gillespie Listening Sheets

1. A Night in Tunisia
2. The Champ
3. Stardust
4. Round Midnight
5. Blue 'N Boogie
6. Birks' Works
7. On the Sunny Side of the Street
8. Things to Come

Melba Liston Listening Sheets

1. Insomnia
2. Blues Melba
3. You Don't Say
4. Wonder Why
5. Christmas Eve
6. The Dark Before The Dawn
7. What's My Line Theme
8. Exodus

Thelonious Monk Listening Sheets

1. Bemsha Swing
2. 'Round Midnight
3. Blue Monk
4. Well, You Needn't
5. April in Paris
6. Reflections
7. Ask Me Now
8. Bye-Ya

Duke Ellington Listening Sheets

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

Mary Lou Williams Listening Sheets

1. Don't Blame Me
2. My Blue Heaven
3. All Blues
4. A Fungus Amungus
5. A Grand Night (sometimes spelled Nite) for Swinging
6. Scorpio
7. Gloria
8. Walkin' and Swingin'

Art Tatum Listening Sheets

1. Tiger Rag
2. Tea for Two
3. Over the Rainbow
4. Yesterdays
5. Someone to Watch Over Me
6. Moonglow
7. My Heart Stood Still
8. Night and Day

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.

Students love learning about Duke Ellington's music because his work is innovative, creative, and groundbreaking! His unique blend of jazz, blues, and classical musical elements in addition to his use of lush orchestrations and extended improvisation make every Ellington piece a unique experience.

Ellington composed over two thousand pieces in his lifetime and each one offers something new, exciting, and memorable. It's easy to see why students are so passionate about learning and exploring the amazing music of Duke Ellington!

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 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 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

Duke Ellington Word Search, April Activities, Black History Month

No Prep! Do you need engaging activities to accompany your Jazz unit or Duke Ellington composer studies? Students can search for Ellington-themed words in this 15x15 word grid. 15 words can be found up, down, or across! Answer key included.

Duke Ellington Composer Activities, Black History Month, Classical Music

Just print & play! Do you need engaging Duke Ellington activities or music sub plans? Each page offers creative ways for students to learn more about the classical compositions of Duke Ellington!

Resouce Includes:

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.

"We do "Women Composer Wednesday" in my class-I originally found just Julia Perry, but my students commented how they liked how the worksheet helped them imagine a scene to the music! I'll get around to using the other ones as well. They enjoyed a new way to listen." - Tricia M.

Great for Composer of the Month studies!

Bundle Benefits:

• Save time! The music selections are already curated for you
• Add music appreciation to various lessons and unit studies
• Students explore social-emotional themes through listening
• Low-prep engaging and mindful activities for students
• Easily find the music on YouTube or your favorite music services
• No musical training is required - just print and play!

Just Print & Play! Do you need engaging classical music activities? This listening activity pack features six listening activities in each pack! 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. Pastoral, Julia Perry
2. Clarinet Sonata, Zenobia Powell Perry
3. Love Let The Wind Cry...How I Adore Thee, Undine Moore Smith
4. Here Comes the Sun, performed by Nina Simone
5. Somewhere Over the Rainbow performed by Sarah Vaughan
6. Backwater Blues performed by Bessie Smith
7. Pennies from Heaven performed by Billie Holiday
8. At Last performed by Etta James
9. Bemsha Swing, Cecil Taylor
10. Violin Concerto in G Minor, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
11. Blue Nile, Alice Coltrane
12. The Muffin Man, performed by Ella Fitzgerald

Brain Break Activities:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Listen & Color a Carnival - Students can color their own carnival while listening to the selected music! 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!
4. Emoji Checkbox Listening - This listening sheet style is all about checkboxes! Students 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! Time, nature, settings, instruments, and colors are also listed. Students color in the emojis that best describe their listening experience in the emoji grid. The 'Inspiration Box' can be used for inspired drawing, journaling, notes, poetry, etc.
5. 1-5 Star Rating Guide in color
6. 1-5 Star Rating Guide in black & white
7. Emoji Rating Guide in color
8. Emoji Rating Guide in black & white
9. Word Composer - compose a list of new words using letters from the composer's name. Add a timer for an extra challenge!
10. Drawing/Writing Page - a freestyle approach to listening! Students can draw a scene inspired by the music selection or use the page as a writing space. Great for bulletin boards and displays!

Embark on a 12-month musical journey through time with the Classical Journey Bundle! ♬

Add a touch of mindful music to any season, holiday, or composer unit study. With over 150 categorized classical pieces, the Classical Journey Bundle offers an engaging printable for every occasion. Each month unlocks a curated selection of themed classical music pieces, perfectly paired with a holiday or season!