Scott Joplin | Homeschool Music Lesson Plans

from the Hey Kid's Meet the Composer Index

Scott Joplin | Hey Kids, Meet the Composer Biography

Joplin was born in Texarkana, Texas around 1868, and was one of six kids. Texas is the home of long horn steer, BBQ, and everything big! Both of Scott Joplin's parents were musicians. His father played the violin at parties in North Carolina and his mother sang and played the banjo. His parents gave Scott a basic musical education, and at seven years old he began teaching himself to play the piano while his mother cleaned houses. Read more....

Meet Scott Joplin Video Introduction

Learn about Scott Joplin with this popsicle stick theater production from the MakingMusicFun.net Academy. It's perfect for K-3 students, providing a summary of his remarkable achievements. Print the FREE Meet Scott Joplin | Composer Study Guide to drill the facts.

Scott Joplin Writing Assignment

Write a few paragraphs on Scott Joplin that includes facts about his life and music. Then ask your child to complete the project by watching and describing a recorded performance of Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag. The following question will help to guide their critique.

Ragtime is an American musical style that predates jazz, but comes after the classical music era. Does Maple Leaf Rag sound more like classical music or jazz? (The syncopated rhythms and stride-style piano makes ragtime more closely related to jazz.)

Scott Joplin Sheet Music, Worksheets, and Lessons

Learn about Scott Joplin with our famous composer sheet music, worksheets, and online lessons.

Beginner and Easy Piano Sheet Music

Appreciating the talent of a famous composer is never richer than when you're playing their music. Ask your child's music teacher about including the study of Joplin's music in their music lesson.

The Entertainer Beginner/Level 1 Piano Sheet Music
The Entertainer Easy/Level 3 Piano Sheet Music
The Entertainer for Easy/Level 3 Piano Solo - Play and Learn™
The Entertainer Easy/Level 5 Piano Sheet Music
The Entertainer for Intermediate/Level 5 Piano Solo - Play and Learn™
Maple Leaf Rag Easy/Level 3 Piano Sheet Music
Maple Leaf Rag for Easy/Level 3 Piano Solo - Play and Learn™
Easy Winners Easy/Level 3 Piano Sheet Music
Easy Winners for Easy/Level 3 Piano Solo - Play and Learn™

Free Online Piano Lesson for Kids

Maple Leaf Rag | Easy Piano Lesson for Kids
The Entertainer | Easy Piano Lesson for Kids

Easy Guitar Sheet Music

The Entertainer Easy Guitar Sheet Music (TAB)
Maple Leaf Rag Easy Guitar Sheet Music (TAB)
The Entertainer Easy/Intermediate Guitar Sheet Music (TAB)

Beginner and Easy Band/Orchestra Instrument Sheet Music

The Entertainer Easy Flute Sheet Music
The Entertainer Easy Clarinet Sheet Music
The Entertainer Easy Alto Saxophone Sheet Music
The Entertainer Easy Trumpet Sheet Music
The Entertainer Easy Trombone Solo Sheet Music
The Entertainer Easy Violin Sheet Music
The Entertainer Easy Viola Sheet Music
The Entertainer Easy Cello Sheet Music

Hey Kids, Meet the Composer Worksheets (Famous Composers)

Scott Joplin | Word Search Worksheet
Meet the Composer Job Application Worksheet
Scott Joplin | Coloring Page
Meet Scott Joplin | Composer Study Guide

Download a Famous Composer Ringtone

Download the first movement from Scott Joplin's The Entertainer or Maple Leaf Rag as your cell phone's new ringtone. When the phone rings, ask your kids who the composer is or facts about the composer. You may find yourself frequently asking, "Is that my phone?" because you don't remember the ringtone, but your kids will be enriched.