The 7th Grade Experience of African Art, Drumming, and Dance

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Over the past two weeks, the 7th graders have been studying African art, music, and dance. In Cultural Connections classes, they had the opportunity to make observations about the types of African masks, the characteristics of African sculptures, and the themes of African art. The 7th grade then went on a class trip to the American Museum of Natural History to see a greater variety of African art and to make more connections to the themes and characteristics discussed in class. Afterwards, students had the chance to study a piece of art up close in the classroom and were required to write a three paragraph essay. The unit culminated in a Humanities class about African drumming, dancing and singing, which was led by Robert Levin.