“Another great resource to teach Scott Joplin! Students love learning about the man who made ‘the ice cream truck song!’” 🙂 – Dibble’s Dabbles

Looking for engaging and accessible music activities? Introduce your students to the infectious rhythms and joyful melodies of Scott Joplin, the “King of Ragtime”! These printable listening sheets offer a fun and creative way to explore Joplin’s life and his iconic ragtime compositions. Just print and play – it’s that easy!

Why Teach Scott Joplin?

Scott Joplin’s music is instantly recognizable and irresistibly fun. His rags are full of energy, syncopation, and memorable melodies, making them a perfect introduction to American music history and the ragtime genre. This pack makes exploring Joplin’s contributions engaging and accessible for young learners.

What’s Inside the Scott Joplin Activity Pack?

This resource is packed with everything you need to create a toe-tapping learning experience:

• Five Star Rating Guide: A simple and effective way for students to evaluate the music.
• Composer Fact Sheet: Introduce Joplin with key biographical information and a spotlight on one of his most famous works.
• Word Composer Activity: A classic word puzzle to reinforce vocabulary and spelling.
• Birthplace Fact Sheet: Combine music with geography! Students research Joplin’s birthplace and learn about its culture and traditions.
• Birthday Coloring Page: Celebrate Joplin’s birthday with a fun coloring activity.
• Composer Study Page: A template for students to compile a short biography of Joplin.
• Composer Vocabulary: Expand musical vocabulary with key terms related to Joplin and his music.
• Multiple Writing/Drawing Pages: Provide space for creative expression inspired by Joplin’s music.
• Varied Listening Activity Sheets: Cater to different learning styles with a variety of listening sheet options. Students can draw scenes inspired by the music, identify the mood, and recognize instruments.
• Weather, Emotions, and Emoji Color & Listen Sheets: Unique and engaging ways for students to connect with the emotional landscape of Joplin’s music.

Printable Listening Sheets (Four Pages Per Piece!):

This pack includes listening activities for ten of Joplin’s most beloved rags:

• The Entertainer
• Maple Leaf Rag
• Augustan Club Waltz
• Kismet Rag
• Ragtime Dance
• Weeping Willow Rag
• Swipesy Cake Walk
• Silver Swan Rag
• Fig Leaf Rag
• Pleasant Moments

Perfect for:

• Music Sub Plans
• Classroom Music Activities
• Homeschool Music Curriculum
• Engaging Students with Ragtime Music
• Exploring Composer Biographies

Is the Music Included?

All of our activities are printable downloads and do not include any music samples, but we only feature selections that are readily available on YouTube and your favorite streaming services! No musical training is required making these great for everyday fun, sub plans, and even send-home packets!