PHE Canada National Conference October 24-26, 2013

Background Drums Alive originated in Germany over a decade ago Carrie Ekins – founder Recovery from a hip injury Drumming - physiological and psychological benefits Became a fitness class experience Also relieves stress, improves moods and has neurological benefits

Audience  General population  Aging adults  Developmentally and physically challenged  Those with aggression issues Beat the Odds – UCLA ○ Using drumming with school aged children to teach skills: focusing, listening, team building, leadership and managing anger and stress ○ Drumming can improve behaviour problems, anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity issues, depression and post-traumatic stress  Kids….

Hanover Drumming Pilot  Planning took place in Spring of 2012, with implementation in the fall of  Equipment was purchased using the Health Promoting Schools Grant from PHE Canada as well as our Healthy Schools Grant.  Pilot school chosen based on willingness and storage capacity.  As of late September, 7 schools have now participated in 3-4 days of drumming and there are 2 divisional sets of drums.

Equipment  Stability Balls  Drumsticks  Bases– step risers, baskets  Music

Possibilities  Fitness activity Physical education classes Special activity (Winter Fun Day) Intramural/Club  Music Rhythm Music therapy  Academic Math – place value Parts of speech/grammar  Culture Appreciation Note: Special populations

To Begin:  Proper Stance Feet: ○ open V-position ○ More than shoulder width apart Legs: ○ Knees bent – but not in front of your toes ○ Sitting on the imaginary chair behind you  Grip Give thumbs up – cradle drumsticks in knuckles and place thumbs on the stick.

Drumming Basics  Singles - beating with one drumstick at a time (1 beat)  Doubles - beating with both drumsticks at the same time (1 beat)  Side Beats – singles or doubles on the side of the ball (1 beat)  Clicks – tap drumsticks together overhead (1 beat)  Rumble – quick singles (“Just beat it!”)  Notes: Use simple and repetitive choreography for beginners. ○ Use groups of 8 for choreography (ie. 8 singles, 8 doubles, 8 side beats, 8 clicks) Use a relatively slow tempo to teach basics. (ie. The Lion Sleeps Tonight BPM 124) Use the first beats to feel the beat.

Sample Choreography: The Lion Sleeps Tonight  Canon Style Beats 1-24 – Feel the Beat Verse: ○ Group A – 8 singles, 8 doubles ○ Group B – 8 singles, 8 doubles Repeat Verse Chorus: ○ Shuffle 8 x right, then 8 x left – Repeat Verse Chorus Bridge: ○ Side Beats – 8x, Clicks – 8x; ○ Side Beats 4x; Clicks 4x – 2x Verse Chorus Bridge: Side Beats 4x; Clicks 4x; Side Beats 2x; Clicks 2x Side Beats 2x; Clicks 2x…….Rumble

More Skills  Front Ball – Doubles on the front of the ball  Back Ball – Doubles on the back of the ball (step back slightly)  Around the World– Doubles around the ball  Extended Singles – Single on the ball and then reach  Extended Doubles– Doubles on the ball and extend both arms  Brush – A light double beat that sweeps over the ball to the right or to the left  Figure 8 Brush – Move arms in a figure 8 while brushing ball  Cross overs – R.H. crosses over and hits ball, left hits ball, right hand comes back to base position and hits ball and left hand hits again. (4 beats) To repeat on left, pause after right hand comes back and hits ball and cross left hand over.

Footwork  Shuffle – Step together around the ball  Grapevine  Lunges  March  Step Touch  Chugs – Small 2 foot jump forward and backward  Jumping Jacks  V step – step forward on right foot and then on left, and then step back on right foot and on left foot  Mambo

Creating Choreography  Start simple – 8 beats of one movement  Break it down into 4’s, 2’, or singles.  Use lyrics to create choreography for younger students Chicken Dance Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes

Rhythm Activities  Making Eyes Begin in a circle (sitting or standing). The leader creates a simple rhythm and then makes eye contact with another person in the circle who then continues to “beat” the rhythm with the leader. The leader then makes eye contact with another person, and so on….until everyone is beating together. ○ Note: The leader doesn’t move on until the person gets the rhythm  The Name Game Create a beat for your name and share it with your group  Free Improvisation  Rhythm Cards

Music  DJ’s Choice Kids Fun  Kids Beats Vol. 1  Kids Beats Vol. 2  Itunes

 Contact Information Corinne Thiessen Hanover School Division