5th Grade Drumming Finale!

The 5th graders have finished up their world drumming unit. In this unit, we were working on:

• Using correct hand technique (alternating hands).
• Playing steady and consistent rhythms.
• Maintaining independence from other musical parts.
• Interacting with a group (watching and being aware of others).
• Maintaining focus and concentration within the ensemble.
• Playing with good posture.
• Listening to others while playing our own parts.

We've learned some strategies for creating patterns within a drum circle, for improvising, and for being spontaneously musically creative within the structure of an ensemble. We wrapped up our big group experience by splitting up into small ensembles, composing rhythmic patterns, and performing them for the class. See us at work below!

They're heeeere!

The drums are here! 5th graders have been anxiously awaiting the start of our world drumming unit, and now we're ready to get started! The drums were dropped off during the week of Halloween, so last week, we were introduced to the types of hand drums we'll be playing (tubanos, congas, djembes, and bongos), learned how to play high and low tones, and talked about rhythm complements (ask your 5th grader what that means!). We played our first rhythm complement as an ensemble!

Here is Mrs. Salach's class playing a rhythm complement about 10 minutes into our first drumming class!