 Adirondack
Curriculum
Project
NYS Content Area Standard
The Arts Standard 4:
Understanding the cultural contributions of the arts
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Title: Native American Musical Instruments
Grade Level: 7th Grade General Music
Author: Kathy Ballou, Ogdensburg Free Academy
Email: kbal@gisco.net
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Adirondack Curriculum Content Area
___ Natural History
_X__ Human History
_X__ Culture & the Arts
___ Government & Civics
___ Economy
___ Health, Recreation & Life Skills |
Investigative Question or Issue: How did Native
American musical instruments reflect the culture that produced them?
Challenge:
Context for this Challenge: Students
will need access to research materials about the cultures of Native
American peoples who lived in or around the Adirondacks. They will also
need access to natural materials that these peoples used to make their
muscial instruments.
The Challenge: In
groups of two, choose a nation of Native Americans that interest you
who lived in or around the Adirondacks. Your challenge has two parts:
1) Write a one - two
page paper in which you summarize your research findings about your
chosen group of Native Americans. This paper should be typed and
reflect proper essay form. As you conduct
research for your paper about your chosen group of people, be sure to
find out information in each of the following areas;
- The conditions of their natural environment (climate conditions,
animal and vegetable resources, geography, etc)
- The lodging of the people and how it was adapted to the environment
- The types of food use by the people and how they got it
- The clothing of the people, what it was made of and how, and how it
was adapted to the natural environment
- Some basic ideas about the religious beliefs of these people
- Some insights into the ways these people created music in their lives
2) Create a working
replica of a musical instrument that your group of Native Americans
used when they lived traditionally. If at all possible, this
instrument should be made of materials similiar to those used in the
construction of the original instrument. Your instrument should produce
a recognizable, musical sound that you can demonstrate. Both members of
your group should be able to demonstrate the use of your instrument and
to explain what part this instrument played in the life of your chosen
group of Native Americans.
We will discuss in class the amount of time you have to complete this
project.
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Quality Standards:
-
Research paper and instrument are completed on time
- Research paper is approximately one - two pages in length
- Research paper is typed and written in proper essay form
- Research paper contains accurate information about each of the listed
areas of investigation
- Musical instrument is a reasonably accurate replica of one used by
the Native American people under investigation
- Musical instrument is made of materials similar to those of an
original
- Musical instrument produces a recognizable, musical sound
- Both group members can make a musical sound with the instrument
- Both group members can describe how the part the instrument played in
the life of the Native Americans researched
Examples of Student Work: Instruments & Writing
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Adapted for the Adirondack
Curriculum Project from
the work of Education By Design TM and Leading EDGE, LLC
©ACP 2002
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