Study Guide

The following are suggestions for classroom activities relating to our assemblies and workshops.  Unless otherwise indicated, these can be done as either preparatory or follow-up activities.

(See also “Instrument Photos & Descriptions”)

 

World Music & Culture

-Listen to recordings (or watch videos) of music from different cultures

-Locate the countries on a map

-Read (or enjoy recordings or videos of) myths, folktales and history of the countries

Instrument-Making

Rattle – Materials:  Empty container (coffee can, jar, etc..).  Fill container with sand, rice, beans, pebbles, etc…  Shake!

Didjeridoo – Materials:  Cardboard tubes – Wrapping paper tubes are ideal. You can also use paper towel tubes, which can be taped together to make longer tubes if desired.  Paint  or draw designs on the tubes – You can use Australian Aboriginal patterns to make an authentic mini-didjeridoo!   To play, buzz your lips and use your voice to make animal sounds… Have fun!

Rainstick – Easy version:  Take any cardboard tube (or roll up a piece of construction paper to make a tube) – Tape up one end, fill with rice, tape up the other end, and paint.  Tip the tube back and forth to hear the rain sounds.

Fancier version:  Materials -  Paper towel tubes, toothpicks, paint, glue, rice.  For instructions, see http://www.make-stuff.com/kids/rainstick.html

 

“Dreaming”

(Follow-up) Write and draw about “dream journeys” experienced during the assembly while listening to the music.  Try to be as detailed as possible.   Compare students’ journeys– Are there similarities?  How do the dreams relate to your waking life?  How do they compare to your sleeping dreams?  Are there similarities between the dream journeys and the myths and folktales of other cultures?

Dream journals – Students can keep an on-going journal of their sleeping dreams

 

Nature and the Environment

Explore and discuss how other cultures relate to and honor nature.  How do they use things from Nature, and how can our modern Western culture learn from their ways?  How can we learn to protect and heal the Earth and our environment?

 

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