Chinese Dragon Drum

crayola supplies

Colored Pencils
Gel Markers
Model Magic®
No-Run School Glue
Blunt-Tip Scissors

household supplies

recycled plastic containers
fabric scraps
rubber bands

Why?

Calling all percussionists! Drums are easy to learn to play and their sounds are recognized around the world. These red Chinese replicas are gorgeous to look at, too.

Steps

1. Drums (gu) are a very important part of Chinese culture. A Chinese character representing "drum" was first inscribed on bones and shells about 3000 years ago. Find out about events in China that feature drums. Chinese Dragon Drums are red and often ornate. Research the importance of this color to Chinese people. Then create a replica of a Chinese drum.
2. Cover and decorate the drum. Wrap a large plastic or paper cylinder with red construction paper. Cut the paper to fit with Crayola® Scissors. Seal the edges with Crayola School Glue.
3. Look at pictures of Chinese Dragon Drums. You will see that they are decorated with many different patterns. Use Crayola Gel Markers to create a similar pattern on your drum’s covering.
4. Add a drum head. A drum head is what you strike to make sounds. Use fabric (or leather or rubber from an old inner tube if you have it) that is cut slightly larger than the container opening. Place the head on top of the drum. Fasten it in place with a thick, tight rubber band.
5. Make drum sticks. Use two Crayola Colored Pencils as drumsticks. Place a small ball of Crayola Model Magic over the tip of each pencil, fastening it in place with a drop of Crayola School Glue. Air-dry the Model Magic overnight. It’s time to celebrate with Chinese drumming!

adaptations

Research other drum styles found in China. Compare and contrast the drums of China to the drums of another country, such as Africa and the Caribbean.

Create several different sizes of drums, and the compare sounds that they make. Use them to make rhythmic music.

Assessment: Look for authenticity of the patterns on the drum and the care with which the drum was constructed.

benefits

Children research the uses of drums in Chinese culture.

Children learn the significance of the color red in China.

Children create a replica of a red Chinese Dragon Drum.

grades

Pre-K and Kindergarten
Grades 1 to 3
Grades 4 to 6

subjects

Language Arts
Social Studies
Visual Arts

time

30 to 60 minutes
Multiple Sessions

curriculum standards links

US: Research U.S. Standards
UK: Research UK Standards
Canada: Research Canada Standards

safety guidelines

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—

Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Recycled Containers—Must be clean and safe. Do not use containers that contained bleach or other harmful chemicals (for example, household cleaners, dishwasher or laundry detergents). Do not use recycled metal cans that have sharp edges (for example, lids removed by household can openers).

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.