1. Africa
Musical Reflections and
Culture
Colleen Bannon
3-22-12

2. 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)

3. Introduction
African 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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?

9. 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.

10. 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>

11. Activity 2: Field Trip

12. Closing
The professor will ask some of the same questions
addressed earlier and see if they have learned more than
they originally knew. New questions will be asked and
discussed.
• 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 theWorld?

13. •
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.