Grandfather, Why Do We Use a Drum?

Today we read the story, "Grandfather, Why Do We Use a Drum?"

This book teaches us that:

• The drum is the heartbeat of Mother Earth. 
• The drums are blessed and given a name by their drum group. 
• The First Nations use a drum to begin and end Powows. 
• When the drum is not being used, it is covered with a blanket to show respect. 
• The drum is made by stretching hide across a wooden frame, then lacing the hide together with leather strips. 

We played a drum in our classroom today! It is not the traditional First Nations drum, but it works for what we used it for today. 

The Kinders' goal was to tap a rhythm on the drum and the class repeated the rhythm by clapping it back. 

Take a look at our drumming today: