Before John was a Jass Giant

Before John was a Jazz Giant by Carole Boston Weatherford & Illustrated by Sean Qualls

Copyright 2008

Published by Henry Holt

Grade Level: 4

Music, Jazz, Saxophone, Childhood

          Before John was a Jazz Giant is the story of John Coltrane and his childhood before his days of fame.  It explains what influenced him to become a jazz legend.  Learn what shaped the musical lifestyle of this jazz superstar!  Great read aloud to compliment a history lesson!

Teachers, here are some activities and resources for this book:

Key Vocabulary:

• Phonograph, jitterbugs, sermons, hymns, warbling, kinfolk, saxophone, crooning, ukulele, Jazz

Before Reading Activity:

• Begin by having students complete a KWL chart about jazz music.  Ask them what they know, if they've ever heard jazz music, and what they would like to know.  When they finish the book they will be able to fill out the last section of the chart and research any questions that remain.

Writing Activity:

• After reading this book and listening to examples of jazz music, have students work in groups to create their very own jazz lyrics!

Web Resources:

• Here is a great GUIDE to use before reading this book. It introduces students to the fundamentals of music that they will read about in this book!
• Here is the Official John Coltrane website!  Learn more about the legendary jazz musician and give your students the opportunity to listen to some of his music.

Weatherford, Carole Boston, and Sean Qualls. Before John was a jazz giant: a song of John Coltrane. New York: Henry Holt, 2008. Print.