Assemblies, Classes, workshops
Dance
Drumming (NEW!)
Drumming (NEW!)
Storytelling
Drumming (NEW!)
African Studies
African Studies
African Studies
African Studies
Master Classes
African Studies
Master Classes
Ensembles
African Studies
Master Classes
sample workshop activities
What can be accomplished in the workshop depends on the focus chosen and the amount of time allotted. This list shows possibilities…
- Introductions are made so that everyone gets to know each other, and about Isaac, his background, and experience.
- Warm-up exercises are done before physical activity in each session. This ensures student physical safety and mental and physical readiness.
- Learning about the instruments including their names, how they are made, materials they are made from, how they make sound. Students have a chance to try each instrument. Instruments may include Djembe, Kpanlogo, or Gome drums, bells, shakers, and flutes, depending on the workshop.
- Identifying a specific music/dance form from the repertoire list below, or another. Isaac will share about the history, context, and story of this music form.
- Learning rhythms starting with the basics and growing in complexity. Students drum on found objects, classroom instruments, and percussion instruments provided by Isaac. Students experience polyrhythms led by Isaac, in which each student takes on sustaining a unique rhythm toward the creation of a collaborative group rhythm.
- Learning dance moves and phrases as individuals and in small groups. Students have the opportunity to perfect their technique in the moves, and present them along with the drumming played by the class. Students also have the opportunity to freestyle.
- Call and response songs are incorporated, which help students to quickly learn simple melodies.
- Culminating performance in which students bring together their learning in rhythm, dance, and song, and present to each other.
Testimonials
Katrina S., Youth Hub Librarian
Dr. Isaac Akrong visited the Youth Hub at our library and engaged teens in a one-hour African drum workshop. Isaac brought in a variety of drums and explained their names and different sounds. The teens learned basic rhythms and followed the instructor's lead to get an understanding of playing the drums. Participants benefited by being exposed to a different culture and getting hands-on experience with a unique instrument. Overall, it was a fun, entertaining, and educational program that the teens really enjoyed.
Teacher, Ancaster Public School
Mr. Akrong and the African Dance Ensemble conducted a highly-interactive and engaging dance and drumming workshop at our school. As a TDSB teacher who experienced this workshop firsthand, I can say with confidence that Mr. Akrong and the African Dance Ensemble members went above and beyond in engaging all the students at our school. Our school has students in mainstream and intensive special education classes and the workshop was very inclusive in that it accommodated students with different learning needs. The workshop brings to life African culture and music in a very unique way. Students gain an appreciation for the beautiful sounds of African words and music. In my opinion, this workshop was a one-of-a-kind experience for many students who don’t typically have access to music. As a teacher with a strong equity lens, this workshop also allows students to see Black and African individuals in a positive light.
KG class, Toronto
The music and instruments were really great. We loved making music with you and dancing. We love the stories too! Great energy!
Teacher, TDSB LC2 virtual school
Thank you so much, it was great learning the musical instruments from Ghana, my class enjoyed playing their "found" drums at home with you! We had a terrific time!
School board administrator, Toronto
Thank you sooooo much! This was wonderful! The best presentation all year! :)
pre-planning with teachers
To make the workshop or assembly a success, pre-planning before the session starts allows for:
- Sharing about the instruments, repertoire of music and dance forms, along with the themes of each, so that a focus for the class can be selected together.
- Learning about the teacher’s goals for the class.
- Learning about students’ prior knowledge and whether there are specific content or curriculum links that can be integrated.
- Learning about specific learning needs of individual students.
- Planning for logistics of arrival, set up time, and classroom set-up.
- Providing ideas for extending the learning before and after the program.
curriculum connections
Music
Elementary:
- Students develop an understanding and appreciation of music, as well as the ability to create and perform it.
- Develop musical literacy through singing, playing, moving, performing, creating, and listening actively.
- Students develop understanding of the following elements of music: duration, pitch, dynamics and other expressive controls, timbre, texture/harmony, and form.
- Students experience and explore the elements of music through singing, listening to, and moving to a variety of songs, rhymes, and chants.
- Students will further their understanding of the music of various cultures by studying a wide range of music and musicians from different time periods and cultures, including Aboriginal, local, national, and global societies.
Secondary:
- Students develop their awareness of the elements of music (pitch – melody, harmony, and tonality; duration – beat, metre, rhythm, and tempo; dynamics and other expressive controls; timbre; texture; and form) and apply them to create and perform works that are related to their personal interest and experience.
- Students will perform, individually and in ensembles.
- Through informal presentations and more formal performances, students not only develop their technique but also use music to communicate their aesthetic and personal values.
Dance
Elementary:
- Learn about the lives of people in different times, places, and cultures.
- Provide opportunities for students to view and be exposed to a variety of dance performances and works by local, multicultural, and professional Canadian artists both within and outside the school.
- Understand that dance is continually evolving and that innovations develop alongside or out of traditional forms or practices.
- Students develop understanding of the following elements of dance: body, space, time, energy, and relationship.
Secondary:
- Appreciation of dance expands students’ awareness of the richness of various cultures around the world.
- Students develop their kinesthetic awareness and use the elements of dance (body, space, time, energy, and relationship) to compose dance creations.
- Students develop dance technique, which emphasizes physiological and safety factors while allowing them to enhance their ability to use the body and all its parts for creative expression.