American Indian music is the topic of this curriculum unit from the Task Force on Minority Cultures. After a brief introduction explaining the importance of music to the Indian people, there are sections on: 1) the instruments, which provides a description of each instrument, including the type of materials used in its construction, how the…

Questions who decides what a culturally literate person needs to know and its social implications. Comments on the lack of dance references in E. D. Hirsch's book, "Cultural Literacy." Discusses what a person needs to know about dance. Analyzes dance as art in the context of cultural literacy's requirements. (KM)

This booklet describes and presents instructions and background for five popular Bulgarian folk dances. The document is part of an ethnic heritage teaching unit on folk arts of the Bulgarian people. The objective of the project is to help American students in elementary, junior high, and high schools understand and appreciate Bulgarians and their…

The great research collections of the United States have resulted, in part, from a long and productive collaboration among scholars, librarians, and archivists. This booklet focuses on the documentation of, access to, and preservation of dance heritage. It discusses the cultural and intellectual value of dance and articulates what elements of…

Describes how performing (of music, drama and other things from elementary school through college) has helped each of the author's three children (three very different people) along their respective paths, helping them to reach their goals and feed their souls. Argues that such programs in the schools are priceless. (SR)

Intended for teenage readers, this book profiles 13-year old Shannon Anderson. Shannon lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her grandmother, her two sisters, and two cousins. Shannon, who is an Ojibway Indian, practices the fancy shawl dance. This traditional dance requires the dancer to use fancy footwork and twirl a shawl. Shannon's younger…

This children's book describes how a Mexican-American family celebrates the traditional Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos). The book centers on 10-year-old twins, Ximena and Azucena, who live in Sacramento, California, with their two brothers, older sister, and parents. The Day of the Dead takes place on the first and second day of…

This illustrated children's book describes the American Indian powwow, an important element of contemporary Native American life in the United States and Canada. The main character of the book, Tess, is a Native American. She explains to her classmates at school about the origin and meaning of the powwow and also about the wars between the Indians…

Thirteen experts in the visual arts, literature, music, dance, and theater responded to the arguments of E. D. Hirsch's "Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know", focusing particularily on his alarm at the serious slippage that has occurred in the background knowledge and information prerequisite for effective communication.…

This publication provides suggestions for school and professional level dance program production. The first chapter contains a brief history of twentieth century costumes and settings for dance. The second chapter discusses program planning, auditions, and rehearsals. Costume design and construction are covered in the third and fourth chapters. In…

Examines both generally and with particular attention to dance aesthetics, philosophy, and theory the implications of the divorcement of sensibility from intelligence. (Author/RK)

Although altered by government and religious sanctions since the establishment of reservations in 1878, the Omaha dance still serves as an obtrusive demonstration of tribal identity and cohesion for the Oglala and Sicangu Sioux. The dance achieved a high level of prominence as a successful celebration for petitioning supernatural protection in…

Step-by-step instructions and diagrams for 11 traditional folk dances of the southern Appalachian mountain region appropriate for beginners are provided. The dances are grouped into five broad categories: (1) openers, which use a leader to pick up participants as the dance progresses; (2) mixers (Oh, Susannah, Texas Schottische, Gary Gordon's…

During the 1920s, Walker Calhoun learned traditional songs and dances from his uncle, Will West Long, spiritual leader of the Big Cove Cherokees. Nine years ago, Calhoun began teaching them to his grandchildren and other young people. Calhoun has received numerous honors for his work to preserve Cherokee culture. (LP)