Jumpin’ JaKs Pre-K Curriculum

Jumpin’ Jaks Playlist

These tracks were recorded as a follow up to the Jazz Academy’s program for pre-school classes so that teachers and students could continue to enjoy the songs and activities used in Jumpin’ JaKs© classes. The program includes singing, moving, and listening to the special sounds and instruments of jazz as well as weaving many literacy based activities throughout the classes.

Becky Ogden developed Jumpin’ JaKs© for the Jazz Arts Group’s Jazz Academy. As well as listening and moving to the sounds of traditional jazz and blues to enrich the young child’s early “jazz” experience, Ogden borrowed favorite song ideas from her many years as a music educator in elementary and pre-schools. Becky wrote “Jump for Jazz” as a kind of theme song for the classes. It is a regular favorite at the Academy’s PBJ & Jazz concerts for young children and families. She created “Sock Monkey Jazz”© as a way to learn about a typical small jazz group and “Rainy Day Blues”© to learn about the blues form.

The musicians who recorded the CD are Columbus, Ohio, professional musicians who have experience performing for young children as well as working in clubs, at festivals, and for special events and concerts. They adapted their assigned tunes to their individual styles of jazz.

We encourage you to listen to these tracks, share them with your students, and explore the lessons associated with them below.

Associated Lessons

(coming soon!)