Drum and Dance Curriculum for Elementary Culture Class 2012-2013

Pow Wows are special events where American Indian people get together and dance. By dancing, people celebrate their culture and their heritage. Many people, American Indians and non-natives, come to watch the dancers, listen to the songs, and meet old friends and make new friends. Everyone, dancers and spectators, are a part of the celebration. (taken from Ni Mi Win : A History of Ojibwe Dance )

Through the following lessons students will learn about every facet of our contemporary Pow Wow and how it connects with our history and culture as American Indian people.

The Drum - Lesson #1

The drum symbolizes the heart beat of our people. All drums are honored and respected. We will discuss the different types of drum and their uses.

Learner Outcomes: After participating in teacher-led discussions and activities, the students will be able to:

1. Identify the different types of drums and match them to their uses.

2. Discuss the different kinds of songs and their purposes.

Tribal Value: Respect

Student Activities: CD of different songs and explanation, student drum packets and hands-on materials.

The Dancers - Lesson #2 - Traditional Women & Traditional Men

The tribal past is strongly reflected in the dance regalia of the present day dancers. Through dance past becomes present and present becomes past.

Learner Outcomes: After participating in teacher-led discussions and activities, the student will be able to:

1. Identify and discuss the Women’s Traditional dance, regalia, its history and present day application.

2. Identify and discuss the Men’s Traditional dance, regalia, its history and present day application.

Tribal Value: Courage

Student Activities: Traditional outfits and regalia, Dance dolls, pictures and hands- on materials in student packets.

Traditional Storytelling - Lesson #3

Story #1 - The Vision of Wana-ikwe

The story about the Dakota woman who received the vision of the Dream Dance Drum and how the Drum was given to the Ojibwe people.

Story #2 -The Story of the Eagle

This story explains why the eagle and his feathers are honored and respected.

Tribal Value: Love

The students will draw a picture of their favorite story and gift it to the storyteller.

The Dancers - Lesson #4 - The Jingle Dress Dancer & The Grass Dancer

The Jingle Dress originated among the Ojibwe people. It is said that the first jingle dress was made by a man who had received instructions in a dream to help heal his sick daughter.

The Grass Dance comes from a long tradition of dance originating with the Omaha Tribe. The long colorful fringe and ribbon representing the tall prairie grass of the plains.

Learner Outcomes: After participating in teacher-led discussions and activities, students will be able to:

1. Identify and discuss the Jingle Dress dance, regalia, its history and present day application 2. Identify and discuss the Grass Dance, regalia, its history and present day application.

Tribal Value: Wisdom

Student Activities : Dance Dolls, Pictures, Hands-on materials in student packets.

The Dancers - Lesson #5 - Women’s Fancy Shawl & Men’s Fancy Dance

The Fancy Dance is a modern category of pow wow dance that is mainly a competition dance. It is a free-style dance in which the dancer makes up dance-step combinations as they move. The dance style originated in Oklahoma in the 1950's.

Learner Outcomes: After participating in teacher-led discussions and activities, students will be able to: 1. Identify and discuss the Women’s Fancy Shawl dance, regalia, its history and present day application. 2, Identify and discuss the Men’s Fancy dance, regalia, its history and present day application.

Tribal Value : Truth

Student Activities : Hands-on materials from student packets.

Grand Entry and Pow Wow Etiquette - Lesson #6

In addition to dancers and singers, the pow wow includes an M.C. / Announcer and an Arena Director, a Head Woman Dancer and a Head Man Dancer. Because the Dance Circle is considered sacred, it is the responsibilities of these individuals to ensure that the pow wow is orderly and organized and that proper traditions are followed in the Dance Circle.

Learner Outcomes:

After participation in teacher-led discussions and activities students will be able to:

1. Begin to understand the role of the MC 2. Discuss the order of Grand Entry 3. Discuss the importance of the Eagle Staff

Tribal Value: Humility

Student Activities: Student Packets and Pow Wow Video