Arts
October 2, 2020
Multiculturalism through Music
Lotspeich music teacher Robin Wilson began the school year with lessons that incorporate several books about multiculturalism in her classes. Wilson began with “All Are Welcome Here” by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufman with students speaking in rhythm to the book as they said the first names of their classmates. She also incorporated “Music Is” by Brandon Stosuy into her pre-kindergarten classes. In the second, third, and fourth, and fifth grades, Wilson begins the week with “The ABCs of My Feelings and Music” by Scott and Stephanie Edger. Each week, her students explore a feeling that begins with the letter of the week and discusses the artwork and three music examples that are recommended for that feeling. The discussion includes the elements of music as well as the emotion. In upcoming weeks, Wilson will collaborate with Lotspeich Spanish teacher Megan Hayes to read and sing the lyrics included in the book, “Your Name is a Song” by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow. The students will use their names to create music using the SeeSaw app and Chrome music lab in grades 1-5. Wilson added that students in the ECC are singing songs about the season and shapes, which correlates with their classroom themes.
Studying Molas in Art
As part of a partnering activity between art and Spanish classes, Unit III students on the Doherty Campus have been studying and practicing the art of creating their versions of molas, which are intricate handmade textiles made in Panama. The activity is also part of the students’ celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. “This has been a cross-curricular activity,” said Doherty art teacher Kacey Watkins. “Students have been listening to stories in Maria-Fernanda Torres’ Spanish class about molas and learning the process of creating them in art class with me.” Watkins said her students are in the process of making their colorful pieces by creating a stencil animal and using layers of paper to design the intricate details of the artwork.
Building Safe Spaces for Beautiful Sounds
Middle and Upper School Chorus has a new kind of sound that is music to the ears of those who hear it. When they arrive to choral class, students stand socially distant, wearing masks, and fixed on choral director Tina Kuhlman’s direction as they sing with a muted sound, which is a byproduct of wearing masks. Each row of students is surrounded by a layer of PPE, comprised of a blend of tall transparent partitions and chairs situated at a distance. Kuhlman said she is so pleased with the level of enthusiasm that the students are bringing to rehearsals, and how quickly they have adapted to the new set-up. “With such beautiful and versatile spaces provided by The Schiff Center, students are able to remain safe and protected while they continue to grow and thrive as young musicians,” said Kulhman.
Visualizing Music
Seven Hills Senior Aaron Ziegler invented Virtual Music Translator for people who have hearing impairments. Aaron’s work, which is his Personal Challenge project, has been featured in several media outlets and recently won first place at the Ohio Invention Convention. The yellow and orange image featured here is a screen shot of one of Ziegler’s sample videos that incorporates an innovative use of color to intuitively connect to children with impaired hearing. Ziegler’s story is available at https://www.wvxu.org/term/aaron-ziegler#stream/0.
Improv in First Grade
Lotspeich first-graders recently worked on improvisational work at the direction of their teacher Russell White. Working through a number of colorful scene descriptors, the students played the game, “four corners,” in which they pretended to play trombones despite a pesky bird flying into the bell of the instrument, sing in an opera with a horrible case of the hiccups, score a winning touchdown, and win an esteemed science award. White said the exercises are helpful in teaching students the nuances of stage direction and listening as they move through the ranks of Lower School dramatics and theater.
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