Beat of Your Own Drum

"Music is a part of the healing, it is a part of them... A distraction from the poverty, pain, and suffering." -Saikou, Lead Artist

The students studied and selected up to five symbols from a Ghanian tribe to draw out and write about. Symbols for Supremacy of God, Freedom, Toughness, and Hope were popular amongst the students and they were able to make deep connections to the symbol and their lives.

"It reminds me of my resiliency to challenges in my life." A students connection with Toughness

"We need to learn our mistakes from the past for us to be successful in the future... If we don't learn from them then we will repeat them." Speaking in reference to the Sakorna symbol (The ability to give or return from the past)

For me, this activity was emotional because the students were truly able to reflect on what these symbols look like in their daily lives and how much of an importance it has on them. The lead artist invited them to look for other symbols in their lives to incorporate into the design of their drum. With the heavy topic of God, we were able to discuss that although we have different names, symbols and faces for our God(s), they still hold the same sense of supremacy to each individual. I was truly impressed with the maturity and insight that this grade eight class provided to the group.

This goes to show that heavy topics are acceptable to discussion given that it is in an appropriate context and digestible for the age group. Some educators may be afraid of discussing these subjects however they should be aware that children would have already been thinking about these philosophical topics as early as the age of two in one way or another. When educators dismiss deep topics like religion, it leaves the students subjective and closed-minded towards others' ideas and perceptions. By opening up the topic and exploring everyone's opinions, it creates a diverse and inclusive environment where students can feel safe expressing their true selves.