In the Civil War, many of the young boys not old enough to fight were drummers. They were very important to the war because the drumbeats issued commands to soldiers and helped keep them in step. Make a drum to create music of your own! MATERIALS: Glue Coffee can (2 pound can or larger) 1/4 Yard of heavy acetate cloth        (call your local hardware store or craft store) Rubber Bands Scissors Water Paper cup Old paintbrush Construction paper Paints and markers 2 Chopsticks to drum with DIRECTIONS: First spread glue around the outside edge of the top of the coffee can. Fit the cloth over the top and stretch your rubber bands around it — then let dry for an hour. Use scissors to trim the extra cloth. Next, mix 3 tablespoons of the glue with 1 tablespoon water in a paper cup. With your old paintbrush, paint the mixture over the cloth and let in dry for another hour. Add on one more coat of that mixture and then give it another hour to dry. Finally, cut up some of your favorite colored construction paper, glue it around the can, and decorate it with stars and stripes! Arts & Crafts Home