Learning Objectives: Students will explore moving and playing to the beat, and learn from music and dance of First Nations and Métis cultures.

Steps:

1. Have you ever thought about how important the beat is to music? It’s just like our heartbeat - always steady, connecting us to the music.

2. Watch Video 1 and listen for the strong drum beat. Different music inspires us to move in different ways. How does this song make you want to move? How can you practice moving to the beat in different ways?

   • Can you keep the beat in place?

   • Can you keep the beat as you move through the space?

   • Try stomping then tiptoeing to the beat. Which one fits better with the song?

   • Can you keep the beat with a found instrument in your home? Sticks, a large plastic bowl, an large empty yogurt container - anything like that will do.

3. You may have already learned in your music classroom how important the drum is to First Nations people. There are many teachings about the drum that you can learn from an elder or traditional knowledge keeper in your area. Watch Video 2 to hear Elder Wilson Bearhead share with us his Good Day Song.

   • Can you keep the beat with Elder Wilson as you sing along?

   • Elder Wilson’s song is about celebrating the day. In his language, he sings, “It is a good day.” What is your idea of a good day? Imagine the most wonderful day ever. What would that day look like, feel like and sound like for you?

4. One way that many cultures celebrate the day is through music and dance!

   • Watch Video 3 to learn a little bit more of the importance of music to Métis people.

5. Want to try a little dancing of your own?

   • Watch Video 4 to learn about some of the steps of the “Red River Jig.”

   • Video 5 and Video 6 will lead you through the steps or two different First Nations dances, women’s Traditional and men’s Chicken Dance. If you enjoy these, try some of the other dances from the Powwow Sweat series (shared on the main Music page).

Learning Objective: Students will explore different non-pitched percussion instruments .

Steps:

1. Watch the Video 1, introducing the instruments. How many do you already know? How many are new to you?

2. Watch the Video 2 of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" with instruments added. As you watch, listen to the instruments being played during the story.

3. Find objects around your home (with permission from your parents to use) to create sounds for different parts of the story "The Three Little Pigs." Choose an "instrument" to go with each character in the story. Play your "instruments" while listening to the story.

Just for fun! Watch Video 4, the story of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" with classical music added in to help tell the story.

Learning Objective: Create Movement

Steps:

1. Find a space where you can move

2. Watch and move to "Cardiovascular Dance." It is listed under "At Home Activities - Ages 6-12."

Learning Objectives: Identify fast and slow tempos.

Steps:

• When you read the words “fast and slow” what do you think of? Can you think of some fast and slow pieces of music?

• How can you move your body using fast and slow movements?

  1. Fast: running, hopping, jumping

  2. Slow: stretching, swaying, extending arms out

• The main portion of this lesson has been removed to honour copyright and timeframe restrictions set for use and sharing of previous materials.

Learning Objective: Experience rhythm, songs, moving, creating and instruments.

Steps:

1. This lesson has been removed to honour copyright and timeframe restrictions set for use and sharing of previous materials.