Africa

Musical Reflections and Culture

Colleen Bannon3-22-12

LESSON PLAN

•Grade Level: 4 or Higher•Number of Sessions: 1 every month (different culture/continent)•Length of Session: 60-90 minutes•Number of Leaders: 6 • Teacher, plus one leader

per group (at least 5 groups)

IntroductionAfrican Music

• On important occasions such as religious festivals, funerals or at harvest time there is always plenty of music and dancing which everyone joins in. Music provides a good way for the whole community to meet together to enjoy themselves, talk to friends and celebrate the occasion. People are proud that they have their own versions of a piece of music which is quite distinctive – they can be offended if you suggest it sounds similar to playing in the next village. Even when living in the cities, people from the same village will meet together to dance and sing. Their music becomes very important in reminding them of where they come from.

Learning Objectives

• Students will be able to identify the importance of music in the culture• Will be exposed to a variety of instruments used throughout the culture• They will also listen and sing a variety of songs and identify the different

styles.• Develop a better understanding for the relationship between music and

war in certain ethnic groups of Africa– Paying particular attention to music as a form of escape, tradition and self-

expression.• Compare and contrast the differences in music ranging from region to

region• Understand the importance of the drum and its significance varying

from culture to culture.

Materials• Map of Africa• Worksheets of multiple African instruments• Worksheets with different songs• A written myth that can be handed out and read aloud• Music styles that can be played aloud in class.• Videos reflecting the importance of music for dance,

storytelling, rights of passage etc… (This can be found on the Internet, YouTube in particular.

Activity Materials: Making a African Drum

• A medium to large sized container with a lid.• Rubber paper• Large rubber bands• Multicolored feathers• Colored construction paper• Paint• Cut-out symbols• Shells• Small rocks• Craft Glue• Scissors

Anticipatory Set

• I would do this lesson plan first thing in the morning, prior to students arriving. Professor would place map of Africa on the board. Place the desks into groups. Each group having a packet for each student containing music, pictures, worksheets etc.. Have music playing while students are arriving. Each group will already have a region of music to study.

Class Discussion Prior to Activity

• What does music mean to you?• When do you listen, play or sing music?• How does music make you feel?• What do you know about African Music?• What do you think African Music is like?

Lesson

• After the discussion questions, we will look at a variety of cultures in Africa, and study their music. We will discuss the importance of music in these cultures. We will also talk about how war has influenced and affected much of the music and its styles. I will show a power point of the many different types of instruments. We will also compare and contrast the different styles, decorations and dress of instruments and people. Watch a video on the importance and many functions the drum plays in the culture. I will then tell the students in each group what particular region of Africa they will be presenting. They will study the music and styles and at the end of the lesson, each group will present its region, sing or play a song.

Activity 1: Drum Making

• After having studied the different styles of drum found in the groups region, the students will make a drum similar to the one found in their culture.

• They will decorate the tub – The decoration must be similar to the drums of the region studied in the group

• Then I will place a rubber sheet over the top of the drum and a rubber band around the top of the base.

• The students then can practice different beats, tempos, and rhythms with their drums and combine them with songs of their culture.

• The next morning each group will go up and present some information on their region/culture and sing, dance or drum music similar to their region.

• They will also describe why they placed specific decorations on their drums• Last they will state the importance their drums have to that community.

• Video:• <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aLeede5z1vQ"

frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Activity 2: Field Trip

Closing

The professor will ask some of the same questionsaddressed earlier and see if they have learned more thanthey originally knew. New questions will be asked anddiscussed.• How can music serve to unite or divide people? • What was your favorite instrument introduced?• What other cultures music would you like to explore?• How can music be used to help solve the world¹s problems? • What kinds of musical projects do you know of that have

made a difference in the World?

State Standards • 3.0 HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT• Students analyze the role of music in past and present cultures throughout the world,

noting cultural diversity as it relates to music, musicians, and composers.• Role of Music• 3.1 Describe the social functions of a variety of musical forms from various cultures and

time periods (e.g., folk songs, dances).• Diversity of Music• 3.2 Identify different or similar uses of musical elements in music from• diverse cultures.• 3.3 Sing and play music from diverse cultures and time periods.• 3.4 Describe the influence of various cultures and historical events on musical forms and

styles.• • 5.0 CONNECTIONS, RELATIONSHIPS, APPLICATIONS• Connecting and Applying What Is Learned in Music to Learning in Other Art Forms and

Subject Areas and to Careers• • Connections and Applications• 5.1 Explain the role of music in community events.