Book Detail

Before John Was a Jazz Giant

Publication Information
Author:  Weatherford, Carole Boston Illustrator:  Qualls, Sean
Title:  Before John Was a Jazz Giant Date:  2008
Publisher:  Henry Holt and Co. City:  New York
ISBN, paperback:  139780805079944 ISBN, hardback:  

Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes ESOL:  
Family:   Yes Young Adult:   Yes
Picture:   Yes

General Information:
Book Type(s):    historical fiction, easy reading

HSE Descriptor(s):   

Summary:
The author imagines the sounds of John Coltrane's childhood that influenced his musical compositions as an adult. A historical note, selected listening and further reading are included.

Teaching Ideas:
Each verse starts with "before John was a jazz giant..." so students could use Copy Change to tell about their lives with a similar beginning phrase.

Teaching Strategies:
bullet Copy Change
   http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/copy_change.pdf
bullet Fluency Activities
   http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/fluency_activities.pdf
bullet Reader's Theater
   http://literacy.kent.edu/eureka/strategies/readers_theater.pdf

Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
bullet Ethnic Groups > African-American
bullet Ethnic Groups > African-American > well-known people
bullet Family > children > childhood memories
bullet Music > jazz
bullet Music > musicians


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