Background Information
This guide includes two essays, "What Is the Blues?" and "Understanding the 12-Bar Blues." Distributing these readings prior to embarking on the lesson activities will give students a good introduction to the blues. In addition, an extensive blues glossary appears at the end of this guide. Definitions of common blues terms used in the films and in the lessons are provided here.

Lesson Organization
The lessons in this guide, designed to complement the seven-film series, The Blues, explore six central thematic strands. The first three strands are definitional in nature, seeking to address the question, "What are the blues?" The second three strands broadly consider the question "What are the meanings of the blues?" and are meant to delve deeper into the contexts and cultural meanings of the blues. While the lessons in each discipline do build upon one another, individual teachers are encouraged to use those lessons or lesson pieces that best complement their curricular goals. Teachers seeking an interdisciplinary approach can incorporate social studies, English, and music activities within the same thematic strand.