Fun and Free Lesson Plan for the Continent of Africa

Bring in several traditional African music instruments. If you do not have access to traditional African music instruments, then you can bring in photos and books on various African music instruments. Some good examples of traditional music instruments can be a shekere, djembe, talking drum, African shakers, hooves, and African metal bells.

As you teach about the origin of each music instrument, play the music instrument or a recording that uses that music instrument. The Putumayo Label has an eclectic variety of music albums from around the world, including several albums that are especially designed for children.

Allow each child to try one of the instruments in a fun call and response game. If you do not have access to African instruments, you and the children can pretend to play the African instruments, using gestures, dance, and vocalizations.

Day 2 The Stories of Africa

Traditional West African storytellers are often referred to as griots. The griot is responsible for passing down the tales of previous generations to a newer generation. The griot often incorporates music in his tale.

Read a traditional African tale to the children. Have them sit in a circle on the floor. If possible, you can dim the lights to imitate a night under the stars. After you complete your tale, begin a new tale. Each member of the circle must contribute a single sentence to the tale. The tale is complete when the story reaches full circle.

After completing the story, have the children draw pictures that correspond to their original tale. Hang the images on a bulletin board, along with a shortened version of the tale.

Day 3 African Dress

Bring in authentic images of traditional African dress. You might bring in photos of the West African dashiki (a traditional shirt for men), traditional head ties, or the simple East African kanga (worn by women; a single piece of fabric wrapped around the body). Have a large chest full of fabric, fabric scraps, scarves, faux jewelry, and other dress-up items that reflect authentic African dress.

Encourage the children to dress as authentically as possible. You may have to help them with wrapping the fabric to prevent it from falling off.

Day 4 African Dance

Play several videos of traditional African dances of Sub-Saharan Africa, West Africa, and other African regions. Discuss what the children see, and what parts of the body are used in each dance. There is a common misconception that all African dance is the same. However, Africa is a large and diverse continent, and each region has its own specialized dances. Dance may vary from region to region, country to country, and village to village. Showing the children several different types of dances and identifying the dance moves and names of each dance can help the children further understand the richness of each African culture.

In a wide area, play traditional African music and encourage the children to imitate the dances discussed. You may emphasize each dance type by name and have the children change the dance accordingly.

Day 5 The Food of Africa

Plan a day where each child brings in a traditional African food dish, such as cassava, foufou, or goat stew. Enlist the help of a few parents in volunteering to cook the African food. You may have to pass out food recipes a week before. Encourage the children to dress in traditional African dress and play African music throughout the meal.

Many African cultures do not have access to utensils and eat their food using hands and bread. Have plenty of napkins handy if you encourage the children to eat their food without utensils, using bread and their hands to scoop up food. Enjoy a time of music, dance, food, and fun!