Drum Journey At Westmount Public School 

Our "Drum Journey" by H. Miller
 (read children's stories ... view photos)

A while back, while talking with the grade 3 teacher our conversation somehow ended up on the topic of Boomwhackers, as her class was doing a unit on percussion and she was looking for ways the Boomwhackers could be used in the classroom. At the time I don’t think she was aware that I was a hand-drummer, but as so often happens, our paths and interests on the topic mysteriously crossed at the perfect time.

Being the school librarian, teaching percussion to the students is not really part of my job, but helping enrich the learning experiences of the students in whatever way I can is. Naturally I jumped at the chance to share my love of drumming and percussion with the class.

After some consultation with the teacher and a fellow drummer friend, we decided on an African theme. By choosing this, it enabled the teacher to integrate not only music into the curriculum, but art, social studies, math and dance as well.

While in their classroom the students learned about African people - their history and their culture. When they came to see me every Friday afternoon they were able to apply what they learned through music since drumming, singing and dancing are such an important part of African life.

I started the first session by inviting my friend Kathleen (who also shares in the spirit of drumming) to the school. We each brought our collection of drums and other percussion instruments. We talked to the students about the types of instruments, where they originated from, how they are played, etc. We then taught the students some basic patterns which they played on the instruments which were available, and on their bodies (everybody’s portable instrument).

After each student had an opportunity to play basic parts we taught them how the parts fit together and how they are dependent on each other. We also taught them some African singing and dancing. This little taste of rhythm was just enough to peak their interest and to fuel their desire to learn more.

We then put out a request for buckets, boxes, jugs, cans – anything we could make percussion instruments out of, and were fortunate enough to get a class set of 5 gallon water jugs (thanks to one of the parents).

Each week we would practice drumming patterns on the jugs. We also practiced singing and dancing to a call and response song called Zamina. When the students weren’t playing their jugs, they were spending time using their math skills and artistic talents to create African style paper “batiks” to decorate and personalize the jugs with.

After three weeks of practicing, we auditioned in front of the principal for the opportunity to perform at the school’s monthly Spirit Assembly. Needless to say because of all of the hard work the students put into this project we passed the audition with flying colours and were the chosen as the closing act on assembly day.

When the actual assembly day came, some of the students were nervous about performing in front of such a large audience, however they all pulled together and gave a flawless performance of singing, dancing and drumming which the crowd loved.

For me, this was a bit of a diversion from my own drum journey, but was certainly an enjoyable and rewarding one. Mrs. Ischkin and the students provided so much enthusiasm and energy and they were a pleasure to work with. I am proud of all of the students and their accomplishments, and hope they enjoyed this project as much as I did.

The following stories are recounts which the students wrote summarizing what the experience was like for them. I hope you enjoy our journey. – H.Miller

Children's stories ... See Photos