71. Sing With Spirit
It’s always a real eye opener what becomes important to children working together toward a performance.
We recently completed a 12 week program with 2nd and 3rd grade students culminating in a performance entitled Home Planet Earth. The whole project is chock full to the brim with wisdoms and lessons to do with the planet’s eco systems, the water cycle, sustainable practices, care for the animals, the value of diversity and world citizenship… demonstrated and brought alive through dynamic song and movement theater.
In one of our final rehearsals we gave a little pep-talk counsel that really stuck with many of the 80 children. It was simply this:
The first part of this program is totally for you; for you to learn all about the earth through these special songs, dances and stories. The second part is learning how to work together making a performance. The third part is about you giving what you have learned to the world, to your families and friends!
What is the most important thing about giving this special gift to the audience?
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- The answer:
To sing with spirit!
For whatever reason, this really caught them.
After our final performances, we give 3 different assessment/feedback forms to the teachers, parents and students. Three of the questions in the student form were:
What helps make a performance special?
What did you do well in this program that you are proud of?
Draw a picture of yourself in the performance. What is it about?
Surprising to us, a good majority of the students answered one of these questions in big bold letters saying: Singing with Spirit!
~PAZ
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