Review of Materials and Resources

My advice to you is to gather as much material as you can from the texts I used to develop my curriculum. My bibliography is a collection of college and High school texts that serve as resources to the teacher and some of the more advanced students. I have also included my discography for my course.

Bibliography

Gridley, Mark C. Concise Guide To Jazz. Fourth Edition,
Prentice Hall , Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2000 (246 pages; ISBN 0-13-182657-3)
This has been my biggest resource. Geared more toward the high school student, but reading level was still understandable for my students. The listening guides and era overviews were thorough and well organized.

Gridley, Mark C. Jazz Styles: History and Analysis. Eighth Edition,
Prentice Hall , Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2000 (458 pages; ISBN 0-13-189664-4)
Definately wirtten with the non-music college student, more in-depth concepts and a teacher's manual with assessment materials.

Crow, Bill, Jazz Anecdotes, Oxford University Press, 1990 (ISBN 0-19-507133-6)
I start each class with a different anecdote about the real lives of Jazz musicians. The students look forward to the practical jokes and stories of interaction between the different bands. It's also a fun read for teachers

Bogdanov, Erlewine, Woodstra. All Music Guide To Jazz. Fourth Edition
All Media Guide, Ann Arbor, MI (1472 pages; ISBN 0-87930-717-X)
Gives overviews of the diverse styles of jazz and well as biographies of hundreds of jazz artists

Carr, Priestly, Fairweather, Rough Guide To Jazz, 2004 (ISBN 1843532565)
Extensive biographies of hundreds of jazz musicians.

Fordham, John. Jazz : History, Instruments, Musicians, Recordings.
London, UK: Dorling Kindersley,1993 (216 pages; ISBN 1-56458-298-1)
This book gives a more student friendly approach to the many elements that helped to form Jazz, as well as a number of biographies and pictures.

Sutro, Dick. Jazz For Dummies
IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. Foster City, CA, 1998 (358 pages; ISBN#0-7645-5081-0)
Don't be insulted by the title. This book gives the students a non-threatening approach to Jazz. Comics can be a good springboard for class discussions.

Adams, Cross, Kramer, Middleton, Tagholm. Children’s History of the 20th Century
DK Publishing, Inc. New York, NY, 1997(344 pages; ISBN#0-7894-4722-3)
Timeline book that gives historical events to relate to jazz timelines

Courtenay-Thompson, Fiona and Kate Phelps, Ed. The 20th Century Year by Year
Barnes and Noble,New York, NY:, 1998
Another timeline book that gives historical events to relate to jazz timelines

My classroom has a collection of the following: (the larger sets are for sharing and discussions the smaller ones are for individual research)
12 concise guide to Jazz
12 Jazz for Dummies
2 All Music Guide To Jazz
4 Rough Guide to Jazz
4 Jazz by John Fordham
4 Jazz Styles (for advanced students)
16 Children's History of the 20th Century
8 The 20th Century Year by Year

Discography

Jamey Aebersold Volume 2: “Nothin’ but Blues” (blues improvisation background)
I use the G-Blues to teach improvisation in my harmonica unit of my curriculum.

Burns, Ken, The Story Of America’s Music. Sony Music, 2000
This gives a good collection of artists but not always the song I would choose to demonstrate their best work

Gridley, Mark C. Concise Guide to Jazz. Sony Music, Fourth Edition, 2004(isbn 0-13-142497-1)
Gives 21 selections from the main eras of Jazz. Form and analysis notes are in the CD sleeve(very handy!)

Gridley, Mark C. Jazz Styles: History and Analysis. Sony Music, Eighth Edition, 2003(isbn 0-13-099348-4)
Gives 19 selections, variety of styles 4 selections doubled from concise guide cd.

Gridley, Mark C. Jazz Styles: History and Analysis.Demonstration CD Sony Music, Eighth Edition, 2003(isbn 0-13-099283-6)
This collection provides demonstrations to supplement classroom discussions, talking about mutes, there they are, drum set demos, gottem, stop-time, vibrato, families of instruments there all there. perfect for the non-jazz musician when audio examples are needed to get a point across.

Cutler, David. Prentice hall Jazz Collection, Sony Music, 2003 (isbn 0-13-111674-6)
This collection has 12 pretty good selections from a variety of jazz styles.

The Smithsonian Collection of Classic Jazz, Sony Music, 1987
Great collection for the early years, lacking in contemporary styles. However, it is out of print(what a loss!)


Software

Timesketch by Electronic Courseware Systems(ECS Media)
This program is the backbone of my curriculum. This is the program that allows you to create the bubble sketches for the call charts in each era. This program is pretty much WYSIWYG. The trick part is allowing you to save and share your work with others. For that, you will need to upgrade to Timesketch Pro. Contact ECS Media Sales at (800)832-4965

Crossword Weaver by Variety Games
This is the best crossword puzzle maker I have ever used! The ability to create many types of puzzles, save them, edit them, and the best part, export them to a word document or web page make this an invaluable part of my curriculum. Contact them at (800)229-3939

Microsoft 2000
This suite of programs includes the word processing, presentation, and database applications to create this curriculum.


Which resources are the best?
 I have found that the best approach to teaching Middle School jazz education is through a variety of media. My curriculum utilizes research, creative writing, cooperative grouping, improvisation, movement, review puzzles, individual and group presentations. These materials listed above have been useful in my efforts to create a diverse and lasting music education experience. .

I hope this information was useful and I would be glad to speak with you about your specific curriculum needs.
Please don't hesitate to contact me at chetcutis@theradiohour.net. Best wishes.