Today, I’m sharing kids educational resources on Duke Ellington Black History. Ellington was born, Edward Kennedy Ellington. Duke Ellington became known as one of the greatest jazz pianist, composers, and bandleaders of all times. I’ve put together a fact sheet, multiply choice worksheet, matching worksheet, word search puzzle, and coloring sheet for a Black History unit.
Elegant, well-mannered and a dapper dresser earned Ellington the nick name “Duke” by a childhood friend. The nickname stuck for the remainder of his life.
- Duke began playing the piano at age 7. Ragtime, church and classical music were influencers in Duke’s love of music.
- Also, he also loved baseball and sold peanuts at the Washington Senators baseball games.
- In 1914, Ellington worked as a soda jerk at the Poodle Dog Cafe. During that time, he wrote a composition called Soda Fountain Rag. Soda Fountain Rag is also known as the Poodle Dog Rag.
- Also, being a musician was a great way to get dates. So, Duke started listening and imitating ragtime pianists. A music teacher from Dunbar High School gave Ellington private harmony lessons. Additionally, he learned to read music and worked to improve his technique.
- Duke formed the group, The Duke Serenaders. He earned 75 cents from his first performance. The band thrived, and as a result he performed throughout Washington, DC and Virginia. He preferred playing for embassy and private parties.
- At age 19, Duke married his high school sweetheart Edna Thompson. They had a son named Mercer Kennedy Ellington.
- Ellington moved to New York in 1923. In 1924, he became the leader of his big band and began recording.
- Duke Ellington played regularly at the Cotton Club in Harlem, NY in 1927. He performed there for 5 years. All Cotton Club performances were broadcast almost nightly. By 1930, Duke Ellington and his band were famous.
- President Richard Nixon invited Duke Ellington to the White House for his 70th birthday. He was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- One of Duke Ellington’s favorite places to eat was Ben’s Chili Bowl when he was in the Washington, DC area.
- Duke Ellington was a genius of instrument combinations. His music made him stand out among other composers of his time. Ellington ranked with composers such as a George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin.
- The piano was Duke’s favorite instrument.
- Duke wrote more than one thousand compositions. His work became a standard in jazz music.
- Duke Ellington won 12 Grammy Awards. Additionally, he received the Life Time Achievement Award in 1966.
- Additionally, Duke Ellington was a Freemason. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
- In 1976, Stevie Wonder wrote the song “Sir Duke” as a tribute to Duke Ellington.
- Duke Ellington led his band from 1923 – 1974, 50 years. The Duke Ellington Orchestra is still in existence today.
- The Duke Ellington School of the Arts was established in Washington, DC in 1974.
- In 1986, a Commemorative stamp was issued with Duke Ellington’s image.
- Duke Ellington’s son, Mercer Kennedy Ellington, managed the Duke Ellington Orchestra after his dad’s death.
- New York City May, Michael Bloomberg, declared April 29, 2009 Duke Ellington Day.
- Finally, Duke Ellington’s granddaughter, Mercedes Ellington, is carrying on his name.
Sadly, Duke Ellington died on May 24, 1974 as a result of pneumonia and lung cancer. He is entombed in the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, NY. Ellington’s last words were, “Music is how I live, why I live and how I will be remembered.” More than 12,000 people attended his memorial service. I hope you enjoyed my Duke Ellington Black History. You can download the worksheets here.
Check out Duke Ellington’s song It Don’t Mean a Thing, one of greatest hits.
You can download the winter word search puzzles 
Additionally, we have a Kindergarten Activities pack that will help kids count from 1 – 10 and than 1 – 15. We have also created an addition math sheet that encourages children to trace the sum of the numbers. Furthermore, you can find pumpkins in the Cutest Pumpkin in the Pumpkin Patch that need to be numbered. Also, apples from the trees in the fall. Your little one will have to number the falling apples in another activity. Download the fall kindergarten activity sheets below 
– Next, this book teaches children the six rules of cell phone usage. The rules teach them how to stay safe, but it also teaches them not to hurt others.
– Noodle decides to cheat so he can win. He has decided that everyone has to cheat once in a while. What’s the harm? Children will learn a lesson about cheating. Ages 5 – 9.
– Penny tries to hang with the Coin Clique, but sometimes feels left out. Quarter and Half Dollars are best friends. So, they do everything together. But they tell Penny she isn’t worth much. However, Dollar helps Penny see her value. Penny learns to feel beauty on the inside and out. Ages 4 – 8.
– Jean the fork hates taking a bath in the sink or in the dishwasher. She doesn’t understand why the other forks are being used and not her. The other forks, knives and spoons don’t want to be around her. She talks to the can opener, and he explains the importance of hygiene. Ages 4 – 7.
– Brad loves to one up people. For example, a student wins a contest. Brad tells how he won a bigger contest. Another student breaks his arm. Brad said he broke both arms and both legs. This book teaches the importance of pulling people up, not one upping them. Ages 5 – 8.
– RJ has to sit in the time-out chair a lot. Without asking permission, he walks home instead of taking the bus. Later he gets on his dad’s computer without asking. His dad teaches RJ the importance of asking permission. This leads to less time in the time out chair. Ages 4 – 11.
– Every Sunday CJ and his grandma ride the bus across town to church. CJ wonders why they don’t own a car, why he doesn’t have an iPod, and why they get off in the dirty part of town. His grandma helps him see the beauty in their trip and everything around them.
– Noodle thinks life stinks. Homework, practice and family pictures stinks. His negative attitude is alienating everyone. Noodle learns to turn his have tos into get tos. Ages 5 – 8.
– A Storm is Brewing. Levi doesn’t tell the truth. He just makes up stuff. His mother explains that each lie that he tell starts a storm inside. She explains that telling lies damages trust. Ages 4 – 8.
– Louis has a hard time not interrupting. It seems his words wiggle and jiggle, he erupts and than interrupts others. He mouth is like a volcano. This book teaches children to hold their words and wait for their turn to talk. Ages 5 – 8.
– This book is about a cake that’s not so sweet. As a result, this cake never says please, thank you or listens to its parents. A lesson about manners and bullying is taught. Even the rudest cake can change. Ages 3 – 5.
– Also, Ricky steals. He takes things that don’t belong to him. But he learns how it feels when he has something stolen. Ricky learns to use the good in him to return the items that he stole. The book teaches empathy. Ages 5 – 8.
– Another one of our character building books teaches children to understand that table manners are about more than what fork to use. Table manners also include being respectful, considerate of others and sharing feelings. Ages 8 – 12.
– Next, RJ’s having another bad day. His teacher wants him to work with bossy Bernice, messy Frankie, and Norma (who just sits and picks her nose) on a report about Egyptian mummies. After a frustrating school day with his “team,” RJ goes home to find only one cookie left in the jar. And his mom makes him share it with his sister! With the help of his coach, RJ learns that working as a team and sharing are skills needed not just on the soccer field, but in school and at home too! Ages 5 – 12.
– So, everyone at school is wearing a pair of the latest shoes. Jeremy wants a pair, but his grandmother tells him they can only afford what they need. Jeremy soon realizes that his grandmother is right. He has warm boots, a loving grandma and a good friend. They’re worth more than the latest shoes. he wants. Ages 5 – 8.
– Our character building books include Bully B.E.A.N.S. It is a fun story that teaches people of all ages to become proactive when it comes to bullying. This book can help children and adults understand why bullying happens and what they can do to stop it. Ages 5 – 8.
– Lester has a funny name. His nickname is Soda Pop Head. But, when Soda Pop Head gets upset his ears get hot, his face turns red and he blows his top. Fortunately, Lester’s dad teaches him to cool down before he blows his top. Soda Pop Head learns to control his anger and manage stress.
– Unfortunately, One-of-a-Kind” is laughed at by Purple. Purple thinks One-of-a-Kind is weird. Green playfully calls One a klutz after tripping on the stairs. Is he Tease Monster to blame? Mom teaches about the Tease Monster. Not all teasing is the same. Mom teaches that laughing at someone (mean teasing) is hurtful, but laughing with someone is alright.
Diana Smith is a full time mom of two beautiful girls simply in love with interior design and DIY projects. In her free time she enjoys exercising and preparing healthy meals for her family.
