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Drum

Elementary Drum Student Activities:

• Listen to a drum cadence audio or invite a drummer(s) from the school band to demonstrate a snare drum to students. Discuss what makes the drum sound. What was the drum head made from? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMRYTaILXA4 Watch video from the National Civil War Music School.

• What was the primary purpose of a drum in the 19th century?

• Students can create and decorate drums. Visit http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Homemade-drum.

• Describe how you think the young boy felt when Lincoln acknowledged him?

• Simulated election: (see activities under ballot/ticket for beginning a simulation). Design a campaign song.

• Analyze the image of Archibald Willard’s painting “Spirit of 1776” at http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004673466/. Ask the questions:

o What do you see? o What does it mean? o What kind of event is portrayed in the painting? o What kind of emotion do students see? o How does this painting make you feel?

 

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Middle School Drum Journal/Discussion: How did the drum music set the tone/mood for political events? Diary Entry: Students could have the opportunity to write from the perspective of the young boy at the political event. Encourage students to write about the experience of playing the drum at such a prestigious event for Lincoln and other viewers. Music Connection: View a piece of music played during this time. Compare and contrast this type of music to the music played at political events today. Map: Monmouth, Illinois  

 

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High School Drum Research: Lincoln stopped in Monmouth on his way to Quincy for a debate when he asked Stephenson “Steve” Cozad to play his drum at one of his speeches. Have students look up the cities and dates of the Lincoln debates with Stephen A. Douglas. Discussion: Before Lincoln spoke, the local fife and drum corps played at the rally where a young boy was marching with his father. Ask students: Why do you think that Lincoln asked the 7 year-old Steve Cozad to come on stage and play his drum? Why do you think that political rallies were such a big occasion for people in that time period? Creative Writing: Have students put themselves in the place of the young drummer who was called on stage by Lincoln to play. Write a paragraph about their experience and feelings from that day. Research: Have students research the content of Lincoln’s speech in Monmouth. How did Lincoln’s viewpoint differ from his opponent’s views?