Submitted by Heather

Idea posted October 10, 2001

I just finished a unit on Gershwin with my 6th graders. I used the listening lessons and songs from the Music Connection 6th grade edition.

This included "Rhapsody in Blue" and "An American in Paris." Also included are singing "I Got Rhythm" and "Swanee." I gave them a sheet that looked like this:

I got ___________
I got ___________
I got ___________
Who could ask for anything more?

They were to think of 3 things that make their lives worth living and put them in the blanks. Also, I made a booklet of various information gathered from books and the Internet about Gershwin. Then I have a sheet of answers and students are supposed to write the question (Jeopardy-like worksheet).

Here's the question sheet for my Gershwin unit:

Name:________________
Class:________________
George Gershwin Information
Directions: Read the material provided for you about Gershwin. Then read each statement on this page. For each statement, you are to write a QUESTION that the statement answers.

  1. A person who plays songs so composers and publishers can hear what the songs sound like.
  2. This is the name of George Gershwin's brother who wrote words for his songs.
  3. 39.
  4. The place where publishing companies had song pluggers perform their new music.
  5. The name of Gershwin's first big hit song.
  6. A serious symphonic work that uses the jazz style and was written by Gershwin.
  7. Roller skating, golf, tennis, and Ping-Pong.
  8. Hambitzer and Kilenyi.
  9. The names of 2 other Gershwin songs.
  10. On July 20, 1925, Gershwin was the first American composer to do this.
  11. He eats this every night before going to bed.
  12. September 26, 1898.
  13. The first musical to win a Pulitzer Prize.
  14. The name of Gershwin's opera that he composed.
  15. Jacob Gershowitz.
  16. The name of his brief operetta.
  17. This is how George Gershwin died.
  18. July 11, 1937.
  19. The movie that uses Gershwin's music as part of it's story.
  20. 25-30 different apartments.
  21. Mr. Words.
  22. Mr. Music.
  23. What his mom wanted him to be.
  24. How old he was when he became rich and famous.
  25. This is the kind of car he drove.