Lesson Plan
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Nepalese Drum on a Stick

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create a two sided percussion instrument designed to look like a damaru drum from Nepal. They locate Nepal on a map and conduct research on Nepal and the damaru. Students then create a damaru drum using a small plastic container...
Lesson Plan
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The Drum

For Teachers K
Students complete a variety of activities related to the folktale from India, "The Drum." They listen to the story and answer comprehension questions, construct a coffee can drum, and complete a phonics and matching worksheet.
Lesson Plan
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Chinese Dragon Drum Lesson Plan

For Teachers K - 6th
Students research the significance of drums and the color red in Chinese culture. They make a replica of a Chinese drum using construction paper and art materials. They examine pictures of Chinese drums before decorating the ones which...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

The Birth of an Icon: Learning and Performing the Origins of the Drum Set and Early Jazz Drumming in New Orleans, Louisiana

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Bass drum, snare drum, tom-toms, cymbals. Perched behind their drum sets, wielding their drum sticks and wire brushes, drummers lay the grove and are the heartbeat of a band's performance. A dynamic lesson introduces young musicians to...
Lesson Plan
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Nigerian Dundun Drum

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate the use of a Nigerian dundun drum and are given background information of how they work and the intricate construction. They conduct research using a variety of resources and then create a replica from simple materials.
Lesson Plan
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Talking Drums

For Teachers K - 12th
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...
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Feel the Beat of the Drums

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
These percussion instruments have a rich history and a variety of uses.
Lesson Plan
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Learning the Beat

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students identify gifts found in folktales. In this folktale lesson, students read the Hindi folktale "The Drum" and discuss the value of gifts such as time, talent, treasure, etc. Students also create drum beats.
Lesson Plan
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African Drum

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore Africa and create their own African drum, either a Conga drum or a Dumbek drum.
Lesson Plan
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Describing Drum Beats in Native American Music

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students analyze the drum patterns and changing styles of the music and dance for the Native American song and dance "Owl Dance." They listen to a recording of "Owl Dance," discuss the cultural context of the song, and perform the song.
Lesson Plan
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Polyrhythmic Drumming Styles: Japan and Brazil

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore cyclic patterns in drumming style. In this multicultural music lesson plan, students listen to and compare Taiko and Samba drumming styles and complete a compare/contrast worksheet.
Lesson Plan
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African Drumming - Repetition of Patterns

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students 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.
Lesson Plan
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Coffee Can Drum

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Learners create and decorate a drum made from a coffee can.
Lesson Plan
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Man's Best Friend:The Old Drum Story

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the Missouri courts. In this primary sources lesson, students examine the Missouri court case Burden v. Hornsby as well as other primary documents and narratives relating to the case. Students analyze the case as they...
Lesson Plan
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Hispanic Rhythmic Patterns and Drums

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students imitate rhythmic patterns created by the teacher or taken from the drum performance of "Oshossi." They study and perform some of the layered and interlocking rhythms of the drum ensembles of Brazil, Haiti, Cuba, Suriname, and...
Lesson Plan
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To Be a Drum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students use a scene from a book and make it come alive in movie clips.
Lesson Plan
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And the Beat Goes On...

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students respond to the Indian folktale, The Drum. In this philanthropy lesson, students reflect upon the folktale and demonstrate ways one person can make a difference in the world. Students construct a Powerpoint presentation as a...
Lesson Plan
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African Art: Ntan Drum

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students study African history, anthropology and culture using the lens of the art object, Ntan Drum. Lesson and instruction is differentiated for elementary, middle and high school students.
Lesson Plan
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The Acoustics House

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study how drums produce sound by building and playing a simple drum. They measure the diameter of their can, then mark a circle two inches larger in diameter on their piece of plastic with the marker or chalk, and cut out the...
Lesson Plan
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To the Beat of a Different Drum

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students describe the sounds, moods and styles of two different types of music. After reading an article, they discover how a journalist uses language to describe and give feelings to the music. They review a type of music of interest...
Lesson Plan
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Drums of War

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners research the political climate prior to major American wars of the past, then reflect on the current call for power to confront Iraq. They create posters using newspaper articles and headlines to highlight the major opinions of...
Lesson Plan
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Drumming from the Heart

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students complete a craft activity using recyclable containers and read a story to a younger child. In this service instructional activity, students read the story 'The Drum' and do a service project retelling the story and making a drum...
Lesson Plan
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Asian Rhythms

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students experience another culture through a unit that explores instruments, spoken language, and calligraphy. Students experience the Asian culture first hand through a Taiko Drum Concert, as well as lunch at an Asian Buffet &...
Lesson Plan
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Native American Song and Dance

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students examine the importance of the drum and drumming in the cultural context of the Native American. Musical insturments and native dance is employed to support the focus of the lesson.