Incorporate music into ethnic celebrations. Expose children to jazz and blues music through recordings and lessons during Black History Month. Play mariachi music on Cinco de Mayo and Irish jigs on St. Patrick's Day.
Include music in lessons on genealogy and family origins. Ask each student to bring in a sample of music from his family's country of origin. Explain a little about the countries and discuss the role music played in each one.
Combine art, music and history studies by assigning students to work in groups to make instruments from other countries. Make simple versions of African drums, Hispanic maracas and castanets, the aboriginal didgeridoo from Australia and steel drums from the Caribbean. Instruct students to perform a simple song with their instrument and tell about its origins and ritual uses.
Plan and stage a world music festival. Invite local ethnic dance groups, musicians and storytellers. In the weeks leading up to the festival, teach children about the countries whose music will be represented at the festival. Describe the origins of each type of music and its importance in its society of origin. Ask the choir teacher to teach the children songs including words from different languages and rhythms from different cultures. The children can perform the song as part of the festival.