Abstract
This project is an Alternative Culminating Experience for a Masters of Arts in Education: Curriculum and Instruction with an Elective Emphasis on Arts in Education. This project follows pathway III: Developing a curriculum, program, or performance related to arts education or arts in education. The author developed a West African drumming and dance class with third, fourth, and fifth grade students with the purpose of keeping the West African culture alive through research, drumming and dancing. Ultimately this class was presented to the school and the students’ families and friends. The author used journals, student research, and other forms of authentic assessments to track student growth and success throughout the project. The author found this to be a very meaningful and engaging way to teach the arts of West African cultural drumming and dance.