Celebrating Culture

Purpose and Learning Goals

Purpose

This lesson aims to foster an appreciation and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage through music. Students will explore traditional Indigenous instruments and rhythms, and understand their cultural significance.

Learning Goals

• Cognitive: Students will understand the cultural significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music.
• Psychomotor: Students will learn to play a basic rhythm using traditional Indigenous instruments.
• Affective: Students will develop an appreciation for the role of music in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Curriculum Links

• Curriculum Area: The Arts - Music
• Year Level: Year 4
• Content Descriptions:
  • ACAMUM085: "Practise singing, playing instruments and improvising music, using elements of music including rhythm, pitch, dynamics and expression, form and structure, timbre, and texture."
  • ACAMUR087: "Identify intended purposes and meanings as they listen to music using the elements of music to make comparisons, starting with Australian music."

Lesson Sequence

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country: Begin the lesson by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land and paying respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
2. Motivation Discussion: Engage students in a brief discussion about what they know regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music. Share a short story about how music plays a vital role in Indigenous culture, ceremonies, and storytelling.

Exploration (15 minutes)

1. Introduction to Instruments: Show the students traditional instruments such as the didgeridoo and clapsticks. Explain the history and cultural significance of each instrument.
2. Listening Activity: Play a recording of traditional Aboriginal music. Ask students to close their eyes and visualise the stories the music might be telling.
3. Discussion: After listening, have a discussion on what the students heard. Discuss the patterns, rhythms, and sounds they noticed, and relay them back to their cultural context.

Active Participation (15 minutes)

1. Group Rhythm Activity: Split students into two groups. Give one group clapsticks and the other group small didgeridoos or substitute instruments (like wooden blocks for clapsticks). Teach them a simple Indigenous rhythm pattern to play together. Each group practices their part.
2. Combining Instruments: Bring the two groups together to play their parts simultaneously. The class works together to create a simple ensemble, experiencing the collective nature of Indigenous musical traditions.
3. Guided Reflection: Ask students how playing these instruments made them feel, and what they enjoyed about hearing the different instruments together.

Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes)

1. Class Discussion: Gather the students to reflect on the lesson. Prompt them with questions like:
   • "What did you learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music?"
   • "How did the music make you feel?"
   • "Why do you think music is important in culture?"
2. Closing Acknowledgement: Finish with another brief acknowledgement of the traditional custodians of the land.

Assessment

• Observation Checklist: The teacher assesses students’ participation during the practical activity and their understanding during discussions.
• Reflection Worksheet: Provide a short worksheet where students can draw or write about what they learned and felt during the lesson.

Resources

• Traditional Aboriginal music recordings (can be sourced from school library or local Indigenous community resources)
• Clapsticks (or wooden blocks as substitutes)
• Small didgeridoos (or crafted substitutes)
• Reflection Worksheets
• Visual Aids showing traditional instruments

Extension Activities

• Guest Speaker: Invite a local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander musician to demonstrate traditional instruments and share stories.
• Art Integration: Combine the music lesson with an art project where students create their own instruments or represent the music they heard through painting.

This lesson plan not only aligns with the Australian Curriculum standards but also provides Year 4 students with an immersive, hands-on learning experience that deepens their understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music and culture.