Louis Armstrong Lesson Plans
There are so many wonderful directions you can go with a study on Louis Armstrong! Our top recommendations are to study his life, his music, jazz music as a genre, or use the study to introduce musical terms and concepts. Here are a few ideas to get you started in those areas!
You can grab your free downloads to go along with the Louis Armstrong letter here!
Don't have the letter yet? You can grab the snail mail letter here or the instant digital download version here.
For All Ages
Music, Movies, and More...
“Hello, Dolly!”
“Dream a Little Dream with Me” with Ella Fitzgerald
“What a Wonderful World”
“Ain’t Misbehavin’”
-
Watch the full Hello, Dolly! Musical with Barbara Streisand:Hello, Dolly! Musical DVD
Visit
-
Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens, New York City
-
New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park – experience jazz history with a visit to the birthplace of jazz music!
-
American Jazz Museum in Kansas City
- New Orleans Jazz Museum
-
National Jazz Museum in Harlem, New York City
- Attend a local jazz concert!
- Attend a local instrument "petting zoo" event hosted by a university or orchestra
Cooking
Armstrong signed many of his letters “Red beans and ricely yours,” in honor of one of his favorite meals... red beans and rice. Listen to Louis Armstrong music while you cook and eat a pot of red beans and rice. Here’s one recipe to try and another.
Resources
- Safari Ltd Musical Instruments TOOB
https://amzn.to/2vqaCBu
Preschool
Books
- What a Wonderful World Board Book by Bob Thiele & George David Weiss
Activities
- Listen to some of Louis Armstrong’s songs.
- Listen to “What a Wonderful World” then draw or paint a picture of something beautiful in the world.
Elementary
Books
-
Who Was Louis Armstrong by Yona Zeldis McDonough
-
Just a Lucky So and So by Lesa Cline-Ransome
- What a Wonderful World Book and CD by Bob Thiele & George David Weiss
Activities
- Listen to some of Louis Armstrong’s songs or pick a new song to listen to each day. Create a playlist on your favorite music app. Discuss his musical style and what you enjoy about his music.
- Learn to identify some of the most common jazz instruments and terms using our free downloads.
- Listen to “What a Wonderful World” then draw or paint a picture of something beautiful in the world.
- Learn to play a Louis Armstrong song on a musical instrument.
Middle School/High School
Books
- The History of Jazz by Ted Gioia
- Jazz: A History of America’s Music by Geoffrey C. Ward
- What a Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong’s Later Years by Ricky Riccardi
Activities
- Listen to some of Louis Armstrong’s songs or pick a new song to listen to each day. Discuss his musical style and what you enjoy about his music.
- Learn to identify some of the most common jazz instruments and terms using our free downloads.
- Listen to “What a Wonderful World” then draw or paint a picture of something beautiful in the world.
- Learn to play a Louis Armstrong song on a musical instrument.
- Watch the musical Hello, Dolly! or one of Louis Armstrong’s other movies
- Host a Jazz Night with your friends & family…decorate, build a jazz playlist to listen to on your favorite music app, and have a great time!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
