African Djembe Drum Game
Ready to teach a Black History Month art activity that’ll keep elementary art kids engaged? This African djembe drum art project will boost confidence and creativity. Kids will be intrigued by the community aspect of creating a single djembe drum. Moreover, they’ll enjoy painting their own drum!
And, it’ll help time-starved teachers like you create art lesson plans that connect art and music.
During this art project, your class will learn what’s required to create a drum, from cutting the logs to painting the designs. Use it to discuss African art and culture, as well as symbols and patterns in art. Students will create an African djembe drum with tempera paint and construction paper using the step-by-step guide and PowerPoint.
Plan lessons for students about Black art history and art appreciation in a way that excites them. Finally feel confident in your art curriculum and be organized and prepared to teach art!
What’s Included in My African Art Project
Can I be honest with you? Art history can sometimes be boring for kids. There, I said it. Teaching about artists and cultures doesn’t have to be a snoozer, though!
I’ve designed 3 different ways for students to attempt this African djembe drum art lesson. All will engage kids to create! Choose which way works best for your classes:
- Roll a dice game to add randomness to your student’s artwork
- “You Pick” idea worksheet for kids to choose their own elements
- Digital spinner wheels, so kids can randomly pick elements and you can integrate technology in the art room
- Printable dice template in case you have no dice
- Step-by-step picture directions to guide students through the art process
- Drawing practice worksheet, for kids who want to sketch out their ideas
- African djembe drum worksheet about how these drums are created by hand as well as the symbols painted on them
- “Big Ideas” reflection worksheet where students write about their art process
- Self-assessment worksheet so kids can think about how they performed during the project
- Art grading rubric which assesses expectations, craftsmanship, work habits, creativity, and clean-up
- 8 “I CAN” Statements aligned to the Studio Habits of Mind to use during instruction or post on your bulletin board
- 4 Art exit tickets with quick, thought-provoking prompts
- Art history coloring pages to keep kids inspired by African drumming and art outside of the art room
Ways to Use This African Djembe Drum Art Project for Black History Month
This African art lesson plan is flexible and can be used in many ways throughout your art room and beyond. It’s great for maternity or emergency art sub plans, early finisher activities, and even for virtual art class or an after-school art club.
You Will Receive
- 1 Non-Editable Printable PDF (African Djembe Drum Art Lesson)
- 1 Non-Editable PowerPoint
- 5 Digital Spinner Videos (downloadable, and links to them on Google Slides and YouTube)
- Paperless Google Drive Digital Resource
Why You’ll Love It
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A great hands on activity that my students loved doing. Was a fun way to end our world drumming unit (and provided great material for a student work bulletin board too!)
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I used this resource as a sub lesson in the middle of a world music unit for 7th grade. We had been drumming using djembes in class, and my students loved creating their own! This was the perfect activity to leave for a sub and the drums turned out so well! I will definitely use this project again next time I teach world music.
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I am collaborating with other specials teachers on a world music project and this was a great way to incorporate music and art together. We learned about the music of Africa and the Djembe in music class and students loved completing this correlating project in art.
Terms of Use
Please refer to my complete terms of use prior to purchasing.
Jaylan B. –
I used this in theater in conjunction with the Lion King and the kids loved getting to work as a team to create their djembe.
Kreative Kids Resources (Teacher-Author) –
Awesome resource for teaching African Art in the classroom and in the art room! Thanks!
Heather B. –
Great art lesson for Black History Month. Students really enjoyed learning about the meaning behind the djembe drum.
Made In May (Teacher-Author) –
The students loved designing their own drums with the symbols provided. Thank for making my music lesson so much easier!
Sarah M. –
A great hands on activity that my students loved doing. Was a fun way to end our world drumming unit (and provided great material for a student work bulletin board too!)
Jennifer W. –
I purchased this to go along with a Social Studies unit on Africa. It was very easy to follow, so my 3rd grade son had no problem completing this without assistance. The artwork looked fantastic when he was done. I highly recommend this resource!
Mrs Cabello Spanish Class (Teacher-Author) –
Thank you!
Laura I. –
Left as emergency sub plans – very clear instructions made it easy.
jesse B. –
My students love these art games,
Melissa P. –
Students were very engaged with this actvity, they look great up on the wall
Jacqueline S. –
My students enjoyed using this resource- thank you!
Kirstie Barsby –
Loved this! A great interactive resource. My kids were engaged and was great to talk about symbols in art.
Dawn W. –
Amazing resource.
Brittany’s Music (Teacher-Author) –
I am collaborating with other specials teachers on a world music project and this was a great way to incorporate music and art together. We learned about the music of Africa and the Djembe in music class and students loved completing this correlating project in art.
Amy W. –
I used this resource as a sub lesson in the middle of a world music unit for 7th grade. We had been drumming using djembes in class, and my students loved creating their own! This was the perfect activity to leave for a sub and the drums turned out so well! I will definitely use this project again next time I teach world music.
Casey Sinigaglia –
I sent home a copy of the templated with my students and we completed the project together online.
Teaching with a Caffeine Queen (Teacher-Author) –
My students really enjoyed this!
Moamera O. –
This was very fun and educational!
Elizabeth N. –
Good resource! Used it as a part of our black history unit, and my young ones found it really engaging and fun! Thanks for the resource!
Partyin’ with Primaries (Teacher-Author) –
thank you
Marianna C. –
This was a great resource but a bit challenging for primary students. I would recommend for grade 3 and up.
Elca W. –
This was great! I sent home all the information (including the instructions) to kids without internet while we were discussing Kwanzaa. This was a really fun activity for them to do! Thanks!
Emily D. –
Great~
DONNA H. –
Great resource!
Rachel K. –
The kids loved having this project! Everyone made something different so it was fun to share their results with everyone else as well.
Chila S. –
We used it in our black history month studies. 🙂
Ashley T. –
turned out super cute
Michelle H. –
Doing this with 4th graders Friday!
Julia P. –
Such a great resource!
Blair Hughes –
I am so excited to have my students complete this to enter in our local museum’s art exhibit.
Amanda Wolter –
Awesome, great way to connect art and music.
CSI in the Jungle (Teacher-Author) –
What a great idea! Thank you so much for the wonderful product.