West African Djembe Drumming – A KS2/3 Scheme of Work Resource

This African drumming scheme of work for KS2/3 explores the many and varied musical styles of West Africa through the use of traditional Djembe drums. It will introduce your class to the basics of Djembe drumming, get them playing a variety of authentic music from the different countries of West Africa, and challenge their perceptions about music from this region.

The scheme of work is mapped to the National Curriculums of each country in the UK, and reflects the recommendations of the Ofsted Music Subject Report 2023. It includes opportunities to sing, play, and listen to authentic music from various different countries across West Africa, and to improvise and compose with stylistic awareness. This progressive 10 week scheme is fully inclusive and designed to engage and motivate your students in their music lessons.

Once you have introduced the music of West Africa to your students using this scheme you can continue your exploration with our follow-on materials, or go it alone as you and your pupils continue your journey towards proficiency on the djembe.

The drumming djembe Scheme of Work is subdivided into ten lessons, each with Objectives, Outcomes, Warm-ups and/or Starters, Main Activities, Plenaries and Performance Opportunities and is suitable for any beginner group, whatever the age range of the players. It includes an Overview document which gives an ‘at a glance’ view of the Objectives and content of each lesson, a list of Keywords, the Resources Required and a generalised Expected Outcomes section.

A column on the right of each djembe drumming lesson page gives clear references to the Andy Gleadhill book which the Primary Scheme of Work is based upon, which will also assist you in preparation before the lesson. You will, of course, know your own students better than we will, so feel free to adapt the pace and flow of the lessons according to your own needs.

We recommend that you read through the content entirely before teaching so that you know the intended long term outcome of the lessons. This will allow you to adjust the content for your group effectively to ensure that learning remains high and interest is retained, even if it means reducing the content.

Here’s a link to our other West African Drumming teaching resources.