Lesson 5: Rattle and Flute
Links to all videos and stories can be found in the Lesson 5 PowerPoint.
Materials to Download
The Flute
Discuss: What do you see? Discussion about a Flute.
Discuss: What is the (a) purpose of playing the Flute?
Watch: Traditional Dakota Flute – Native American Heritage Month with Will Crawford (Dakota & Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate)
Watch: Flute Frequencies by Supaman (Apsáalooke Nation) (1:33) & Mother Earth Flute Song by Tony Duncan (Apache, Arikara, & Hidatsa) (1:52).
The Rattle
Discuss: What do you see? Discussion about a Rattle.
Discuss: What is the (a) purpose of playing a Rattle?
Watch: Traditional Dakota Flute – Native American Heritage Month with Will Crawford (Dakota & Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate)
Watch: Flute Frequencies by Supaman (Apsáalooke Nation) (1:33) & Mother Earth Flute Song by Tony Duncan (Apache, Arikara, & Hidatsa) (1:52).
Closing Videos
Tipiskawi Kisik – Night Sky Star Stories by Wilfred Buck (Opaskwayak Cree Nation of Northern Manitobah)
Makinak: The Turtle (3:29)
Sisikwun: The Rattle (2:21)
Closing Activities for this Unit
Discuss: During Morning Meeting or SEL time, have students sit in a circle and choose a talking piece. The only person talking during this time is holding the talking piece. Please have students answer the following questions, “My favorite activity was _____.” and “One thing I learned was _____.”
Extension Activity/Chants
- Did students enjoy this process? Perhaps they want to come up with their own “attention getter” for when you need to get the class’s attention.
- Chants can be a powerful way to review classroom expectations or class affirmations. Turn your class expectations into chants and have a student lead the class in “copy me” style.
- Use the “How do you feel? I feel _______” as a morning SEL activity. The rhythm can help keep the group’s momentum going or perk up some kiddos who haven’t fully woken up yet. If students want to “pass” come up with a phrase that can be said in time like “I will pass”.