To Be a Drum

Students in Ms. Denis's class read a book about drums, titled "To Be a Drum" by Evelyn Coleman. The book describes the history of the people of Africa and how when they were enslaved they were also were robbed of their drums.  For the people to still feel a connection with the earth and each other through drumming, they used their feet, hands, voices, hearts, and also tried to listen to the rhythms of Mother Earth to help them through difficult times. Ms. Denis invited her friend, Mike Mylroie, who holds drum circles and ceremonies, to share a little bit about the purpose of drums from cultures around the world and to drum together. It was fun to play with drums and talk about how the students felt trying to make rhythms together.