Scott Markle

Through the Program Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) Yarmouth Junior High School teacher Scott Markle is immersing students in an important West African cultural activity--drumming--to provide an exciting and innovative unit in Grade 7 social studies.

He was chosen by Wendy Mackey, Department of Education, African Canadian Services Division to be one of a dozen teachers trained in the program.After a series of workshops in the spring of 2000, the school borrowed some drums in the spring of 2001 to pilot the program.The program was now set up, but Markle needed the hardware--the musical instruments to implement it and make it a continuing part of the curriculum.That's where PDAF came in. Markle was able to purchase the West African instruments through the program."Since the class is very hands-on, it's great to have the drums here all the time," says Markle.

Through 18 lessons students learn the drum language and an authentic polyrhythmic song from Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria.They are introduced to authentic West African instruments like the Gonkogui (Gon-ko-gwi) a bell like structure which makes sound when hit with a wand and Axaste (A-ha-chi) a hollowed out gourd covered with a netting of shells and durable Remo drums, like the Djembe (dembe).They also meet the Essential Graduation Learnings in areas of aesthetic expression, citizenship, communication, personal development, problem solving and technological competence.

"Students gain an appreciation for another culture," says Markle."The students don't really know a lot about Africa and this is a great way to learn more.It makes it more real to them."He says the various learning abilities and styles and curriculum outcomes are met and students have a lot of fun at the same time.

Markle, who teaches Grades 8 and 9 social studies, Grades 7 through 9 music and family studies trades off with another teacher to teach the West African unit for the Grade 7s."Someone teaches my Grade 8 while I teach the Grade 7s," he says.The unit started in February and after only the second lesson it was easy to witness the students' enthusiasm, attention and participation.

Markle says another great thing about this program is the students don't have to have a music background to participate and they come in to the class on the same level.
...
Markle is also trying to include an African percussion ensemble as part of the spring concert and to visit feeder elementary schools with the same ensemble in June."That's what's great about actually having the instruments," he comments."I can use them for other events and activities."

This is the first PDAF project Markle applied for and the application process enabled him to think through the whole curriculum process clearly even though he had already taught the course once.He says he found the NSTU very helpful with questions we had while he was completing his application.