Description

African Djembe Drum Game

Need a February bulletin board that shows student exploration into African art and culture? Imagine these beautiful African djembe drum projects hanging in the hallway by your door for Black History Month. You will be the talk of the school! This cultural art lesson is perfect for social studies and art teachers wanting to learn the art of drum-making. Step-by-step picture directions and the included PowerPoint presentation with close-up, detailed photos will guide your students from start to finish.

Going to be absent and need a last minute art history lesson for the substitute? Or are you searching for fun, supplemental resources for art? Fill up your art sub plan folder with low-prep, creative art projects. Once your students know how to play the game, they’re easy to leave with a sub! Create a small sub tub in your room with copies of the game in a labeled folder inside the tub along with some dice. The lesson is structured in a way that students can do the reading and practice drawing in one lesson, and the actual project when you return the following week.

Are you trying to foster more independence in your art room? This art game makes for the best and most productive early finisher activity for your students. You can set up a choice-based art center where students select an activity amongst different ones. Print out the game board and directions back to back, file them in labeled folders, and let them pick what they’d like to create.

Looking for a differentiated art lesson that boosts independent thinking, problem-solving, and skill-acquisition? This art lesson will do the trick. Despite students selecting designs from the same game board, the outcome of each project is unique to the creator.

Student Directions

You will create an African djembe drum by rolling the die and collecting the different parts required to put it together.

Teacher Directions

I’ve included three ways students can generate their design. The first is the game board where students roll the die to select their parts. The second is a “you pick” board. Both of these are printables. And lastly, for teachers needing engaging lessons during distance learning, I’ve added digital spinner wheels!

First, print out the African djembe drum game and picture directions back-to-back. Then give your students dice and watch them have fun creating their own art project independently.  If you have access to a smartboard or projector, use the accompanying PowerPoint presentation. It will guide the students during each part of the art project.

Once completed, have students use the self-assessment rubrics to evaluate their artwork based on craftsmanship, creativity, following directions, work habits, project goals, and clean up. And then have them complete the “Big Ideas” sheet so they can connect the creation process to their learning. 

If you are substituting or need a fast finisher activity, use the included coloring page.

Grade Levels

• 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade

Main Learning Objective

• Students will be able to create an African djembe drum using neutral colors and traditional adinkra symbols.

Materials

• Brown Construction Paper
• Neutral-Colored Washable Tempera Paints

You Will Receive