CRANKIES! The last few weeks we have been creating a Crankie show to depict the story of our school mascot, the Raven. As Sandglass Theatre says "crankies are an art form that accompanies songs and stories with illustrated scrolls that are hand-cranked within small wooden theaters.". Crankies have even been used for news over the year. …
Pandemic talk: How Arts Teachers Can Promote a Sense of Community
Arts teachers have challenges, even in normal times. Sometimes we have ample technology and resources; sometimes we don’t. We also have curricular standards and goals that matter, and sometimes they shouldn’t—at least initially. With remote classrooms, the foundation of learning engagement is student investment, which grows out of caring and connection, and arts teachers have …
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Teaching kids during a pandemic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnsNMCGyNBk Song about "being together" We are still figuring this out but one thing is for sure-- We NEED music, movement and connection to get us through. Below are videos of a great dance to do 6 feet apart. I wrote the song and it was choreographed by some great folks at the MoCo dance …
Edutopia
Energy has been in the classroom these days but I wanted to post some videos that Edutopia produced on much of the work folks at Symonds are involved in. Social learning, art, and the integration of social curriculum with academics. Check this out! http://www.edutopia.org/school/symonds-elementary-school http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmVhO3nL2EM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXn_ef9T1oE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMctALPpLF4
Teaching About the Holidays
I've really grown to love teaching about the holidays during this season. In my former schools, we would have holiday concerts for which we would need to prepare. I feel like mandatory concerts amount to a sugar-coated version of teaching to the test. Rudolf, dreidels, nothing pretending to be religious, but everyone has to "perform" …
Product VS Process
I recently got into a little debate with my wife. I know it's unfair for me to post this without her side being represented but, hey, it's my blog. She is the director of a wonderful Vermont based distance learning company. An accredited elementary and high school, they provide instruction and curriculum to hundreds of …
Maintaining the ecosystem
Likely not a conscious choice, the garden at Symonds is an unofficial symbol of nourishment, connection, and being part of something greater in our world. Tom Julius, Director of the teacher certification program at Antioch New England Graduate School has referred to the ideal educational setting as an elaborate ecosystem. One main idea being …
A quick song on “Whole Body Listening”
Very Brief- Here's a YouTube link to a song I put together to discuss Whole Body Listening with Symonds kids.
Child Driven Learning
Moving past the phase of getting students "culturally adjusted" to the classroom, I'm now focused on how we learn in the classroom. I've become increasingly aware of (and acutely frightened of) the idea of becoming a talking head teacher. I LOVE to talk in front of people, often to a fault. This comes from …
All School Assembly Song!
Today was our second all school assembly of the year so it's time to get kids in the mindset to what it means to be a "whole body listener" in a large room. Last year I was tasked by some colleagues to come up with a song for these occasions. I've developed a bit of …
Music Saves Education 