It is said that before globalization, these instruments could only be found in Africa and where African descendants lived. Therefore, the thumb piano or kalimba as we know it in the West, is a modernized version of its African ancestors. Just like the xylophone, it is deeply rooted in the continent’s culture.
Many tribes, all across the continent, have developed their own unique thumb pianos over the centuries. Because the languages and cultures of these tribes vary so much, so do the names and traditions of their instruments.
Using wood, bobby pins and craft supplies Div 9 students along with other students of Twelfth Avenue Elementary created their very own versions of the African thumb piano. Check it out.
Students in Div 9 have been learning to enhance their writing, making it more descriptive by adding adjectives. They did an excellent job using adjectives to describe their monster’s personality. They also did a pretty amazing job turning blown paint into some monsterous masterpieces.
How can you light up your home, school or community with kindness? Students in Div 9 are learning that every small interaction with someone is an opportunity to have a positive impact on others.
Today students in Div 9 learned how to make three-dimensional snowflakes in an activity that incorporated math, fine motor skills, and art. Students also utilized their thinking and personal core competencies as they problem solved and persevered through each step of the process to create these impressive snowflakes.