Educational Programming with the
Native American Flute
The Flute and 21st Century
Learning
The Native American Flute (NAF) heritage, legacy, and its evolution into
a multitude of aspects of contemporary society, are quickly becoming emergent themes in elements of 21st Century
Education in some schools across the country. The scope
of possibilities for integration into many aspects of school programming is both vast and exciting. The Native American Flute can potentially enrich educational programs through a variety of skills development,
values studies, social studies (geography, history, cultural teachings, languages), language arts (reading, research, storytelling,
writing), health and healing, safe and caring schools, technology (music videos, slide shows and sound tracks, recording,
YouTube), global citizenship (ie. community involvement, nature study, stewardship, and ecopsychology) , creativity, music
and other aspects of fine arts (art, drama, puppetry, historical re-enactments), and expression/development of self-worth,
creativity, and identity.
Immediate enablement of creative musical expression is only one facet of
the flutes. At a most elemental music study level or as a means of expanding
into an intensive , potentially cross-curricular study, the Native American Flute offers a positive and empowering opportunity for students to interact with a joyful, musical experience
on both an individual level and in a group sense. Connection with nature
and a pulse on the "heartbeat" of other cultures are closely associated with the Native American Flutes.
The flutes also provide the opportunity,
depending upon the focus of the school, youth, art, or community group, for individuals to take their music beyond the
instruction setting and out to their homes, into their communities, churches, seniors' homes, hospitals, concerts, or
fundraisers, thus contributing to the overall well-being of self and community.
The Native American Flute In the Classroom Today....
There are many philosophies for the teachings and infusion of the Native
American Flutes within the classroom.
1) Some individuals prefer these
flutes to remain a cultural tradition, following traditional songs and protocol…and
educate accordingly with cultural origins, traditional teachings, songs, stories, and spirituality.
2) Other educators or group leaders (at times including origins and
teachings where possible) may incorporate a flute building workshop with their community or school’s art program
and make flutes which they then incorporate into the music program much as recorders and hand bells may be incorporated; with
a focus of building upon melody, rhythm, timing and other musical applications. The
flutes may be easily incorporated within school assemblies and performances as well.
3) The Native American Flute offers opportunities
for individuals to explore many facets of 21st Century Learning through integration of the tradtional elements of the instruments
into the academic curriculum, visual arts, technology, world music ensembles, provision for safe and caring schools through
values learning, counselling and inclusion, and healing through creative expression and development of feelings of self worth.
Curricular Research and Development....
Although a valuable instrument for musical instruction, the implementation of
the NAF within other aspects of school programming holds great potential and lessons and related activities are currently
in the developmental stages. Within the NANA membership, several of our educators and cultural advisors are presently working
upon curriculum and related classroom activities for various ages of students across Canada and the USA.
Rich Dubé and Kevin Locke are two individuals intensely interested in the preservation and teachings
of the Native American Flute. Each is working upon curricular materials in instrument construction, performances,
presentation and teachings, connecting individuals with the flutes, and provision of an actual curriculum for schools.
The two men are collaborating extensively on a curriculum devoted to the traditional teachings and philosophies
of the Lakota flute as well.
Janina Skutle Carlstad
is yet another educator who is weaving the melody and medium of the flute music into school programming. She offers traditional
teachings, while concurrently developing contemporary 21st Century activities evolving from classes connecting
with the Native American Flute. These activities and projects expand the instruction and positive connection
with the NAF in the classroom into other aspects of the school program and across several grade levels as listed in part
3 above.
Ian Porteous and Gilbert Parent
of Les Bucherons also incorporate the construction and playing of the Native American Flute within their Canadian culture
and history workshops in schools across Canada.
Curricular Resource People for School
Programs
For further information about introducing the Native American Flute to your
school program or for obtaining lessons, networking with music, teachings, etc., please contact us:
Rich Dube - Northern Spirit Flutes
Kevin Locke - Songs of the Spirit - A Lakota Flute Curriculum
Janina Carlstad - SomeAre Solstice Flutes and Woodland Wellness
Flute Makers for Schools
Flute makers create opportunities for students to make their own flutes
or purchase starter sets. Those flute makers are listed here and also provide
introductory materials, music, and even accessories for bringing the flutes into the schools and other groups.
Northern Spirit Flute Kits – Rich Dube (ABS plastic flutes)
Butch Hall Flutes – starter kits (cedar flutes) with Butch and Laura Hall
David Rattray – flute carving (David is from Fort St John, BC and
has provided flute carving workshops at Teacher Conventions, artist retreats, and schools)
Please Add Your Thoughts…
If your group has been involved in school instruction, school flute circles,
teachings, or providing flutes and starter kits for schools, we would be happy to hear from you! Celebrations, challenges,
additional information, etc. would all be of assistance to people seeking guidance in this area.
Please contact Janina to have your comments or insights included on our NANA website for the benefit of others.
