Jazz Is Elementary: Creativity Development Through Music Activities, Movement Games, and Dances for K-5

Jazz Is Elementary by Darla S. Hanley and Allison P. Kipp is a classroom resource designed for K-5 general music teachers, homeschool instructors, and arts-based program leaders seeking structured, jazz-centered learning experiences. The book presents 60 field-tested teaching strategies that use jazz to develop creativity, improvisation, and active music-making in elementary learners.

Activities are built around singing, classroom instrument play, body percussion, chants, games, and guided movement experiences. Each strategy connects to a curated jazz listening playlist available on streaming platforms, allowing students to engage directly with influential recordings while exploring rhythm, expression, and ensemble awareness. Companion online materials expand classroom support with instructional dance videos, printable visual aids, notation cards, movement prompts, coloring sheets, and artist profiles that provide historical and musical context.

Designed specifically for elementary settings, the strategies are adaptable for traditional schools, homeschool environments, and community arts programs. They encourage creative response and collaboration while supporting both individual and group assessment. Teachers are provided with practical frameworks for leading improvisation and movement confidently, even if jazz instruction is new to them.

Full Song List
This resource does not function as a fixed performance songbook. Instead, it draws from recordings representing nearly 80 influential jazz artists. Examples include: Louis Armstrong * John Coltrane * Ella Fitzgerald * Dizzy Gillespie * Quincy Jones * Wynton Marsalis * Sarah Vaughan

With a foreword by bassist Victor Wooten, this guide makes jazz accessible to young learners while nurturing originality, confidence, and a lasting connection to music.