A String of Pearls by Glenn Miller is such a great classic example of big band jazz. If you are planning a unit on jazz, or just want a jazz activity for kids to try out during Jazz Appreciation Month, these activities to String of Pearls by Glenn Miller is sure to be a hit in your classroom.
Glenn Miller: Jazz Music for Elementary Music
I love Glenn Miller’s music. It just personifies the 1930s and 1940s for me. Plus, Miller’s music is easily recognizable to many students and it has easy to follow forms, which lend themselves to music and movement activities.
But as I have researched, I have come to love the story of the man behind the music as well. First of all, Glenn Miller is an all-American success story. He went from humble beginnings to world famous band leader. Then, World War II broke out, and despite being safe from being drafted due to his age and being at the peak of his musical career, he enlisted in the Army. He traveled with an Army band, boosting the morale of the Allied Forces. And on Dec. 15, 1944, he went Missing In Action when his plane disappeared flying over the English Channel. He was even awarded a posthumous Bronze Star for his service and sacrifice.
String of Pearls Listening Map
So, first I like my students to get a little exposure to our new song before moving to it, so they can start to recognize the different sections of the piece.
I often will use listening maps to help guide our first listening experience, like this map here.
If I have time, I will replay it a second time (the piece isn’t all that long) and have students do different movements for each section, such as tap their head during the A section, or pat/clap during the B section, or even take student movement ideas.
Want you own copy? This listening map is available on my blog store and my TPT store.
Beanbag Activity to A String of Pearls by Glenn Miller
Next, I add in a beanbag activity. First I teach the beanbag passing motions with everyone seating in rows facing forward, just so we can see when each movement happens with the song.
Then, we make a circle and JUST practice passing a beanbag. Make sure everyone know which way to pass. Try passing all the beanbags at one time. If these things are successful, we are ready to add the music.
You can check out an in depth demo on this activity in this String of Pearls YouTube Video.
Improvise Rhythms to A String of Pearls
If you want to add a jazzy extension to the activity, you can add some rhythmic improvisations to the song during the B section/instrument solos. For younger students, I might prompt them with a simple rhythm call that they can respond to. For older students, I might have the class clap the beginnings of a modified hand jive (pat, pat, clap, clap, pat, clap, pat). Then the improviser responds to that “prompt” with their rhythm.
Other Jazz Music Resources for Elementary Music
5 Easy and Fun Jazz Activities for Elementary Music Class
Louis Armstrong Biography Pack
What a Wonderful World Listening Glyph
Get a Free Jazz Mini Lesson
Download a free jazz listening map and mini lesson right now for It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) by Duke Ellington.
