With the generous support of our PTA, Horace Mann students in grades K-4 had the opportunity to enact musicals like Peter Pan. In the pictures, you can see kids with capes on, practicing their "flying" skills and moving like pirates. In addition, we thank the PTA volunteers for being on hand to assist Mr. Waryk and KLM staff with organization of props and anything else that's needed!
In addition to being playful with music, I watched Brighty, Trinity and other KLM staff engage our students in other meaningful ways. I noticed that they initially called on students who raised their hands during the story-building phase of the experience, but also prompted shyer students to contribute. Their belief in the "I do, We do, You do" gradual release method we use in academic instruction was also evident in their scaffolding of children's practice with movement. And, since listening is such an important part of theater, kids honed their attention skills in a version of Simon Says. The teaching artists used humor to keep all students on track.
The Kids Love Musicals residencies have become a rite of passage at Horace Mann. I hope it whets kids' appetites for all the musical and theatric opportunities available to them in the great Lakewood community in years to come!
