AMNH - Hall of African Peoples

We visited the American Museum of Natural History to continue our study of West Africa. These anthropologists looked closely at West and Central African artifacts. They transitioned between five stations - masks & costumes, instruments, goldweights, rainforest artifacts, and a variety of west African crafts.

observing the goldweights case

instruments

instruments

instruments

West African artifacts - stools, staffs, statues

rainforest artifacts

masks and costumes

Making Sound Visible

These scientists moved through four stations taking note of the sound being created and whether or not we can see them as they travel.

Barbara our science coach is explaining the stations before students go off to explore. 

Jumpin' - See what happens when you direct sound waves at rice and salt placed on this plastic wrap. 

Ripplin' - Bang the tuning fork and see what happens when you place it in the water. 

Howlin' - Shake the balloons (some with hex nuts and some with pennies). What accounts for the difference in sound?

Phonin' - These scientists are testing out what happens to the sound when the string is taut or loose. 

Abstract to Concrete - Classroom to Real World

Students looked at textiles from the first of many Brooklyn Children's Museum's kits of artifacts. They learned about West African textiles such as Kente, Adinkra, Adire Eleso/Eleko, Mud Cloth, and Batik. They examined the textiles in class and then traveled to the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market to talk to the shop keepers and clothing designers.

In Class Artifacts

Students here are observing adire (indigo) eleso (tie-dye) and eleko (starch resist) fabric.

Students here are observing the difference between woven kente and printed kente.

Students are observing the adinkra stamped fabric and traditional adinkra stamps. 

Students used adinkra stamps on paper to create sheets with their own meaning. 

Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market

Students admiring the textiles and trying to find all of the ones on the trip sheet. 

Students are sketching instruments, baskets, fans, and hats.

Olive sketching a kalimba (thumb piano). 

Gia had a great conversation with this shop keeper documenting his name, country of origin, and what objects he's selling.

This group learned more than they expected from this shopkeeper about adinkra symbols. 

Samara found some interesting jewelry to study closely and sketch. 

Curriculum in Bloom

Social Studies

After reading the book Weslandia and watching a clip of the Bodys Kingelez exhibit, these third graders started building structures that are part of civilizations from found and recycled objects. They worked in partnerships and trios to make decisions about construction, design, signage, and display using the materials at their disposal. 

Colin, Lianai, Sophia, and Colin worked together to make restaurant with a hot tub. Ruby and Celia worked together to make a Mall.  

                       

         

       


Once all the structures were built, we took a gallery walk to see what had been created.

Museum of Recycles

Pizza Restaurant

Bank and Stadium

Pizza Parlor

Stadium

Water Park

Aquarium

The Shell Hotel

Library

Car Wash

Movie Theater

Museum of Modern Art - Bodys Kingelez Exhibition

Excitedly, students experienced this special exhibit! What a cool trip!

                           

These anthropologists are trying to capture these sculptures with detail.

These anthropologists are capturing the major shapes they see being used.

These anthropologists are trying to map the city in front of them.

Kingelez is from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa.