Scroll down to see each Performance of Learning.(to connect to blog,click on purple bar above)
Abada Capoira POL
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AfricanAmericanShakespeareCompany. Cinderella Nov. 2013
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SOTA's World Music Taiko Jan. 2014
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Khafre Jay Hip Hop for Change April 2014
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SOTA's World Music TAIKO
Performance of Learning Feb. 14.2014
School of the Arts World Music program came in February to teach our middle schoolers the art of Taiko drumming! Sensei Mui-san inspired and taught complicated drum verses for all to understand and apply. Many students talked about what a good teacher Sensi Mui-san was in teaching drumming!
"The World Music program has a kinesthetic approach to music learning. Much of the focus in music of other cultures is not the music itself, but the sense of community amongst the musicians. Students will use their body, mind and spirit in getting to know their peers and in learning the diversity of world music."
Our 6th,7th and 8th graders engaged in the creative practice of understanding the music of Taiko. While experiencing the rhythm and verses, students were informed and gained insight into the history of this dynamic art form from Japan. While actually drumming students connected and promoted their own creative personal engagement using music. Teamwork and collaboration was necessary to unify and build a community of synchronized sound. Students had to take risks and persist, focus and persevere.
STUDENT INSIGHTS
8th graders:
"I learned that when we all work together, we can make something beautiful. William helped guide our class through Taiko and we needed teamwork to stay in sync and on track for the performance. History is taught through Taiko. These drums give us a glance into Japan's culture and way of life. I liked the power I felt when I hit the drums. I learned that music can help with more than just your musical ability." Lucy M.
"We all had to use the same rhythm and drum at the same time so it sounded good. I learned that some of us were naturals, but we all tried really hard. You have to put effort into Taiko just like at school. We also had to work together. I liked the vibrations that came from the drum. I liked that we all had to cooperate." Queenie
"I collaborated with my classmates because we all performed together and you need a team in order to rotate with people. With Taiko, you can learn history, how to work well in teams, and maybe self expression. It also helps you with your memory...(these can be applied to academic subjects). Maya W.
"I thought is was cool that we had the opportunity to participate in Taiko. I thought I had to hit harder and listen and pay attention to the beats closely. We all had to work together to sound good." Alexis
Can you apply Taiko to other subjects? "Team work and learning new patterns." Juliana D., "Group work in Math" Anthony H. "Concentration and memorizing different beats." Connie, "Respecting different cultures." Marvin
7th Graders:
" I stretched and explored by trying out something new that's also from a different culture. Working together was cool because we were getting along. I learned that it's good to practice different cultures, so you can respect them." Kayla
" I liked how we got to be creative and express ourselves through a different form of art. I thought I did really well at Taiko. I could apply this to social studies because I learned a lot about Japanese culture." Zachery
"I learned something new- that is my favorite part. I worked with my class and we bonded. It was an organized activity and everyone had to work together. Focus is what Taiko teaches that can be applied in all subjects." Ella
6th Graders:
"I messed up a lot, but I kept trying and eventually got it. If I forgot something,I would ask one of my classmates. We could really work together. It was really fun." Raiden
"It was awesome!!!. We had to work together with the timing. I liked learning about something new and hitting objects with sticks! You can apply taiko to other subjects because you learn to focus and collaborate." Frankie H.
" You need to have teamwork to stay together. I liked the drumming the best. It was really fun." Jada W.
" I stretched and explored by being open to new things and not judging things by how they look. I collaborated with classmates because you need to work as a team to keep the drum beat and make it sound good. To other subjects I can apply how to work as a team, because it takes a whole team to play a song on taiko drums. I liked taking time off from studies to learn about a different culture and how to work as a team." Roman
"The World Music program has a kinesthetic approach to music learning. Much of the focus in music of other cultures is not the music itself, but the sense of community amongst the musicians. Students will use their body, mind and spirit in getting to know their peers and in learning the diversity of world music."
Our 6th,7th and 8th graders engaged in the creative practice of understanding the music of Taiko. While experiencing the rhythm and verses, students were informed and gained insight into the history of this dynamic art form from Japan. While actually drumming students connected and promoted their own creative personal engagement using music. Teamwork and collaboration was necessary to unify and build a community of synchronized sound. Students had to take risks and persist, focus and persevere.
STUDENT INSIGHTS
8th graders:
"I learned that when we all work together, we can make something beautiful. William helped guide our class through Taiko and we needed teamwork to stay in sync and on track for the performance. History is taught through Taiko. These drums give us a glance into Japan's culture and way of life. I liked the power I felt when I hit the drums. I learned that music can help with more than just your musical ability." Lucy M.
"We all had to use the same rhythm and drum at the same time so it sounded good. I learned that some of us were naturals, but we all tried really hard. You have to put effort into Taiko just like at school. We also had to work together. I liked the vibrations that came from the drum. I liked that we all had to cooperate." Queenie
"I collaborated with my classmates because we all performed together and you need a team in order to rotate with people. With Taiko, you can learn history, how to work well in teams, and maybe self expression. It also helps you with your memory...(these can be applied to academic subjects). Maya W.
"I thought is was cool that we had the opportunity to participate in Taiko. I thought I had to hit harder and listen and pay attention to the beats closely. We all had to work together to sound good." Alexis
Can you apply Taiko to other subjects? "Team work and learning new patterns." Juliana D., "Group work in Math" Anthony H. "Concentration and memorizing different beats." Connie, "Respecting different cultures." Marvin
7th Graders:
" I stretched and explored by trying out something new that's also from a different culture. Working together was cool because we were getting along. I learned that it's good to practice different cultures, so you can respect them." Kayla
" I liked how we got to be creative and express ourselves through a different form of art. I thought I did really well at Taiko. I could apply this to social studies because I learned a lot about Japanese culture." Zachery
"I learned something new- that is my favorite part. I worked with my class and we bonded. It was an organized activity and everyone had to work together. Focus is what Taiko teaches that can be applied in all subjects." Ella
6th Graders:
"I messed up a lot, but I kept trying and eventually got it. If I forgot something,I would ask one of my classmates. We could really work together. It was really fun." Raiden
"It was awesome!!!. We had to work together with the timing. I liked learning about something new and hitting objects with sticks! You can apply taiko to other subjects because you learn to focus and collaborate." Frankie H.
" You need to have teamwork to stay together. I liked the drumming the best. It was really fun." Jada W.
" I stretched and explored by being open to new things and not judging things by how they look. I collaborated with classmates because you need to work as a team to keep the drum beat and make it sound good. To other subjects I can apply how to work as a team, because it takes a whole team to play a song on taiko drums. I liked taking time off from studies to learn about a different culture and how to work as a team." Roman
POL movies:
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African American Shakespeare Company's Cinderella Performance of Learning Nov. 25, 2013
We have just finished a wonderful 2 week residency with Sherri Young and Chico of the African American Shakespeare Company which culminated in our student Performance of Learning,(POL), of the enchanting classic fairytale of Cinderella on November 25th.
Using this performing art strand, we are looking at the creative practice of imagination for our students: arts as communication. We want to evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning,and use of evidence & rhetoric, and the use of Improv. The kids participated in a range of conversations and collaborations,building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
The POL was wonderful, highlighting the talent of our students as they captured their roles and different perspectives of each new character.
The following are some of the lessons our students expressed from this performing arts experience.
STUDENT VOICES:
6th Grade:
" I liked the teachers and I learned that it's good to step out of your comfort zone." Dasha
" I liked auditioning and having fun. I learned how to speak up and be persuasive."Roman
"I learned that it is ok to make a mistake. I stretched and explored by being a part of it. The teachers were really fun." Tommy
"I thought the teachers were very nice. I learned how to act with expression. I thought this was a fun learning experience." Ruby
"I loved that everyone was being themselves and lots of people took lot of risks. I tried out for a part which was fun." Tasha
"I learned that everyone has different points of view, because everyone is different. Some lessons from acting are how you can convince people important information. You can speak in public, communicate by just talking and learn to listen to important information. It was fun" I learned how to go out of my comfort zone and express the way I feel!" Risa
7th Grade:
"I think that improv helps your brain think faster because in improv, that is what you have to do. I can apply" listening " to academic classes,
"speaking" just for life in general and communication which are some of the things we learned in acting." Nika
"Improv can used in other subjects since if you don't know answers, you can use knowledge from previous learning." Jason
"Thinking on the spot is good for problem solving. You have to collaborate with people in group projects. I liked improv and learning new things. I learned a new song and a new version of Cinderella." Olive
'You will feel more comfortable at school when you have to speak in front of other people. Some lessons you learn from performing arts is to be brave in front of a large crowd, think on your toes because if you forget a line, you can make something up, all can be used in life. I liked that we had the Cinderella opportunity itself, I learned to try something differently, and step out of my comfort zone. " Zach
"I think I learned how to work with my class. I liked how I was working with new people." Jackie
" I liked how engaging it was. I learned improv and different types of feelings for different roles and characters." Araseli
" I think acting is really fun. The skills of projecting your voice and being present is important life skills. Improv can be used in every day conversations. Life isn't scripted, so you have to make it up as you go along." Sydney
"I learned that you have to look at everyone's perspective." Addie
Lessons on performing arts and improv are that "sometimes you have to make up things on the spot when people are depending on you. This, I can use in life." Abby
"Acting is fun" Kaila
8th Grade:
"I liked the improv performances when we had partners. I leaned teamwork on the stage. I feel that now I will be able to see other's perspective like I did my characters." Rose
" I feel free and open when participating in theater because you can be someone you aren't. I think that is was a productive experience and was good for everyone." Liam
"I felt that this was a great experience for everyone at the play, as it was both funny and enlightening. I thought that everyone really grew from this experiment." Mathew
"I learned that if I try new things, it can be fun. I tried and found I like drama. I feel I can apply trying new things and participating in them ,to life. If you don't you may never find the things that make you feel the happiest." Capri
"I learned that trying new things, can make you better. I think that this is a great learning experience." Araceli
"I learned that when you're on stage, it's not that scary to do." Rella
"I liked acting with my friends the most. I learned that you should try new things because whether they are a mistake or not, you can learn from them." Lucy
"I learned how to do public speaking. I liked how we got to perform and have fun." Diego
THANK YOU AASC
Thank you very much Sherri Young and Chico for the great learning experience and opportunity you gave to our students! As you can see,
our kids enjoyed and appreciated it wholeheartedly! The AASC offered their dress rehearsal for our students and families to enjoy. This was a exciting opportunity for our children to see some of the characters they personally studied magically come alive on the stage in this professional production, directed by L.Peter Callender. Here are a few photos of the AASC show with some of our kids who attended, followed by a few
movies of our acts at our POL.
Using this performing art strand, we are looking at the creative practice of imagination for our students: arts as communication. We want to evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning,and use of evidence & rhetoric, and the use of Improv. The kids participated in a range of conversations and collaborations,building on others ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
The POL was wonderful, highlighting the talent of our students as they captured their roles and different perspectives of each new character.
The following are some of the lessons our students expressed from this performing arts experience.
STUDENT VOICES:
6th Grade:
" I liked the teachers and I learned that it's good to step out of your comfort zone." Dasha
" I liked auditioning and having fun. I learned how to speak up and be persuasive."Roman
"I learned that it is ok to make a mistake. I stretched and explored by being a part of it. The teachers were really fun." Tommy
"I thought the teachers were very nice. I learned how to act with expression. I thought this was a fun learning experience." Ruby
"I loved that everyone was being themselves and lots of people took lot of risks. I tried out for a part which was fun." Tasha
"I learned that everyone has different points of view, because everyone is different. Some lessons from acting are how you can convince people important information. You can speak in public, communicate by just talking and learn to listen to important information. It was fun" I learned how to go out of my comfort zone and express the way I feel!" Risa
7th Grade:
"I think that improv helps your brain think faster because in improv, that is what you have to do. I can apply" listening " to academic classes,
"speaking" just for life in general and communication which are some of the things we learned in acting." Nika
"Improv can used in other subjects since if you don't know answers, you can use knowledge from previous learning." Jason
"Thinking on the spot is good for problem solving. You have to collaborate with people in group projects. I liked improv and learning new things. I learned a new song and a new version of Cinderella." Olive
'You will feel more comfortable at school when you have to speak in front of other people. Some lessons you learn from performing arts is to be brave in front of a large crowd, think on your toes because if you forget a line, you can make something up, all can be used in life. I liked that we had the Cinderella opportunity itself, I learned to try something differently, and step out of my comfort zone. " Zach
"I think I learned how to work with my class. I liked how I was working with new people." Jackie
" I liked how engaging it was. I learned improv and different types of feelings for different roles and characters." Araseli
" I think acting is really fun. The skills of projecting your voice and being present is important life skills. Improv can be used in every day conversations. Life isn't scripted, so you have to make it up as you go along." Sydney
"I learned that you have to look at everyone's perspective." Addie
Lessons on performing arts and improv are that "sometimes you have to make up things on the spot when people are depending on you. This, I can use in life." Abby
"Acting is fun" Kaila
8th Grade:
"I liked the improv performances when we had partners. I leaned teamwork on the stage. I feel that now I will be able to see other's perspective like I did my characters." Rose
" I feel free and open when participating in theater because you can be someone you aren't. I think that is was a productive experience and was good for everyone." Liam
"I felt that this was a great experience for everyone at the play, as it was both funny and enlightening. I thought that everyone really grew from this experiment." Mathew
"I learned that if I try new things, it can be fun. I tried and found I like drama. I feel I can apply trying new things and participating in them ,to life. If you don't you may never find the things that make you feel the happiest." Capri
"I learned that trying new things, can make you better. I think that this is a great learning experience." Araceli
"I learned that when you're on stage, it's not that scary to do." Rella
"I liked acting with my friends the most. I learned that you should try new things because whether they are a mistake or not, you can learn from them." Lucy
"I learned how to do public speaking. I liked how we got to perform and have fun." Diego
THANK YOU AASC
Thank you very much Sherri Young and Chico for the great learning experience and opportunity you gave to our students! As you can see,
our kids enjoyed and appreciated it wholeheartedly! The AASC offered their dress rehearsal for our students and families to enjoy. This was a exciting opportunity for our children to see some of the characters they personally studied magically come alive on the stage in this professional production, directed by L.Peter Callender. Here are a few photos of the AASC show with some of our kids who attended, followed by a few
movies of our acts at our POL.
Abada Capoeira residency and
Performance of Learning 10-4-13
Our Assembly Performance of Learning on Oct. 4th highlighted the 2 week residency of Abada Capoeira with our 6th,7th, and 8th grades. This assembly demonstrated what students have experienced with this beautiful dance-martial arts lessons. Abada Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art self-defense form that incorporates acrobatics, dance, percussion, and songs in a rhythmic dialogue of body, mind, and spirit.
Capoeira was our dance strand in our art theme this year of "How does exploring perspective and POV open possibilities in art engagement?" In this dance -martial arts we are looking at our understanding goal of creative practice of investigation:Arts as Culture, History and Connector. Students learn to express ideas through dance; identify and compare how learning habits in dance can be applied in other subjects (memorizing, researching, practicing); and students start to investigate and explain variety of roles dance plays among different socio-economic groups in different countries.
SOME STUDENT THOUGHTS
Many kids talked about how the persistence , working together and focus that was demanded of this strenuous martial art-dance, could be applied to their other classes like math or social studies. One student said "going with the flow and laughing at my opposition will help me in life". This idea is from the Esquiva move ( Esquivas distinguish capoeira from many other martial arts for the simple fact of going along with flow of the attack and releasing an equal or more devastating attack.) One other student noted "some simitarities that capoiera has to my culture are the fact that it includes dance, and dance is very integrated into every culture, and America kind of represents these cultures." And another student said how they tried things they usually wouldn't do, how they had to stretch and explore and get out of their comfort zone. Some said in trying out new things, they learned to believe in themselves. Another student said how they tried and when they made a mistake they tried again until they got it right, they fixed it. They said they became more flexible. And yet another said "I learned to make myself embrace new experiences." And "I see a history of people written into a dance. I see unique culture."
THANK YOU ANTONIO AND ALLISON FROM ABADA CAPOEIRA
We would like to thank Antonio and his assistant Allison for their discipline and adherence to teaching our students so much about the beauty and culture of Capoeira. Students were taught the need to respect the strict discipline needed when training in a martial arts and the excitement and strenuous nature of combining art, music, martial arts in expressing ourselves. Very few martial arts employ a constant rhythmic movement that matches the ginga, and it was exhilarating to see how music is so integrated in movement. The ginga, au (cartwheels), macaco
(back handspring), esquiva (escape or dodge), combined with instruments like the berimbau and the pandeiro made for a unique experience. Portuguese words became a new learning experience, and the history of capoiera gave the students a cultural insight to their expression. One student wrote: "I feel honored to have this opportunity to try this because I have friends that do this and it's really cool." Another wrote: "I don't usually like martial arts, but I love this."
Capoeira was our dance strand in our art theme this year of "How does exploring perspective and POV open possibilities in art engagement?" In this dance -martial arts we are looking at our understanding goal of creative practice of investigation:Arts as Culture, History and Connector. Students learn to express ideas through dance; identify and compare how learning habits in dance can be applied in other subjects (memorizing, researching, practicing); and students start to investigate and explain variety of roles dance plays among different socio-economic groups in different countries.
SOME STUDENT THOUGHTS
Many kids talked about how the persistence , working together and focus that was demanded of this strenuous martial art-dance, could be applied to their other classes like math or social studies. One student said "going with the flow and laughing at my opposition will help me in life". This idea is from the Esquiva move ( Esquivas distinguish capoeira from many other martial arts for the simple fact of going along with flow of the attack and releasing an equal or more devastating attack.) One other student noted "some simitarities that capoiera has to my culture are the fact that it includes dance, and dance is very integrated into every culture, and America kind of represents these cultures." And another student said how they tried things they usually wouldn't do, how they had to stretch and explore and get out of their comfort zone. Some said in trying out new things, they learned to believe in themselves. Another student said how they tried and when they made a mistake they tried again until they got it right, they fixed it. They said they became more flexible. And yet another said "I learned to make myself embrace new experiences." And "I see a history of people written into a dance. I see unique culture."
THANK YOU ANTONIO AND ALLISON FROM ABADA CAPOEIRA
We would like to thank Antonio and his assistant Allison for their discipline and adherence to teaching our students so much about the beauty and culture of Capoeira. Students were taught the need to respect the strict discipline needed when training in a martial arts and the excitement and strenuous nature of combining art, music, martial arts in expressing ourselves. Very few martial arts employ a constant rhythmic movement that matches the ginga, and it was exhilarating to see how music is so integrated in movement. The ginga, au (cartwheels), macaco
(back handspring), esquiva (escape or dodge), combined with instruments like the berimbau and the pandeiro made for a unique experience. Portuguese words became a new learning experience, and the history of capoiera gave the students a cultural insight to their expression. One student wrote: "I feel honored to have this opportunity to try this because I have friends that do this and it's really cool." Another wrote: "I don't usually like martial arts, but I love this."