Curated OER
Talking Drums
Students study African percussion. In this music lesson, students explore Africa's sounds as they discover tonal language, talking drum, message drum, the relationship between talking drums and tonal language, and how to change the pitch...
Smithsonian Institution
African American Music: Let’s Sing and Play Clapping Games
Two lessons focus on making a beat. Using popular African American music of its time, scholars listen and analyze the rhythm then recreate it with hands drums, and cups.
Curated OER
Dance: African Drumming
Students evaluate the messages in music. In this communication through music lesson plan, students listen to various musical selections and determine the message being conveyed in the song. Then, students create their own message as they...
Curated OER
Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas
You can keep this printable idea sheet and use when you're in a tight spot. It contains cross-curricular ideas that span every subject while relating to the African tale, "Anasazi the Spider." Learners will act, write, move, count, and...
Curated OER
African Music
In this African music worksheet, students read about how family life, community music, and rhythms are part of the culture and music of Africa.
Curated OER
Pitched Instruments of African Music
For this African music worksheet, students read about the kora and the xylophone which are types of pitched instruments. A glossary is included in the 2 page article.
Curated OER
African Drumming - Repetition of Patterns
Young scholars are introduced to basic patterns used in African drumming. They listen to examples of drumming by Kundidzora Azim, participate in chants and repeat demonstrated rhythms as a class.
Curated OER
Habari Gani: What is the News?
Display creative works of art after learning about Kwanzaa. Kindergartners hear stories about the history of Kwanzaa and its celebrations. They then create artwork, practice African dances and listen to African music.
Curated OER
African Popular Music
Students explore popular music of West Africa. For this musicians lesson, students complete listening tasks that challenge them to analyze the music of Oumou Sangare, Angelique Kidjo, and Baaba Maal.
Curated OER
African Music
In this music worksheet, students read an excerpt about African Music. Once completed, they respond to eight short answer questions related to the reading. Students also imagine that they are an African musician and suggest how they...
Curated OER
African Rattles
Students locate Africa on the map or globe and tell one important fact about the continent. They follow directions and demonstrate the proper process of making an African Rattle.
Curated OER
Remember the Bridge: Poems of a People
Fifth graders explore poems of African Americans. They research a famous African American, write a report, create a timeline of events in African American history, create a map of the New World, and research Molly Walsh. After...
Curated OER
Dancing Hands, Abstract Drawings
Students discover African musical rhythms by performing Ancestral Spirit Dances. In this musical instructional activity, students research Willis "Bing" Davis and the abstract work he created. Students listen to Yoruba drum music and...
Curated OER
The Beat of the Blues
This lesson focuses on how students can learn basic blues percussion patterns by considering the polyrhythms of African drumming and investigating how and why such drums were banned during slavery. Students will listen to several blues...
Curated OER
Aesop and Ananse: Animal Fables and Trickster Tales
Students complete compare and contrast activities dealing with fables and trickster tales to determine how each uses animals to portray human characteristics, specifically strengths and weaknesses, as well as pass wisdom from one...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Africa
In this Africa worksheet, students read the article, answer true and false questions, complete synonym matching, complete phrase matching, complete a gap fill, answer short answer questions, answer discussion questions, write, and more...
Curated OER
Feet of Song
Students establish a basic definition of stop frame animation and the processes involved in creating a film. Through guided practice and film reviews, they create their own stop motion animation in response to a film they have seen.
Curated OER
Body Percussion: Hambone
Students explore body percussion. They practice playing quarter notes and eighth notes separately, then quarter and eighth notes at the same time by different groups. They practice this exercise at different tempos.