“In an effort to create a well-balanced educational experience that addresses the many and varied needs of each child, K.L. intentionally creates consistent and frequent integrated arts experiences with her students.
Mrs. L.'s fourth grade students perform brain dances every morning to get their thinking started on the right foot. They also learn the elements of dance while learning important academic concepts in memorable ways. They create and perform dances for many concepts, including the rock and water cycles, clouds, weather, fossils, geometry, fractions, and multiplication. One of the students’ favorite experiences is creating and performing Native American hoop dances during their study of Utah history.
One project in particular that showcases Mrs. L.’s ability to integrate all four art forms into her instruction is her current opera production. The students have created the story, music, lyrics, scenery, and costumes. We’ve enjoyed watching the process take shape, and we can’t wait to share the finished production with our community.”
Matthew has really enjoyed being in her class this year. He is so active that getting up to dance around is good for him and helps him stay focused. He loves music and singing and really enjoys the art and dancing as well. As for the opera, the kids have been working on it all year and Matthew was super excited that today was performance day. Utah opera has a program where the teachers take a class about the creation of an opera in their classrooms and then, when the kids have created their librettos, they send them to Utah opera and someone writes the music for them. Then they rehearse and perform their opera. His teacher has wanted to do an opera for years but had never been able to take the class. This year our school’s full-time music specialist (I’m so glad we have him! My kids love him!) was able to take the class so he and Mrs. L. were able to work together to make the opera happen.
The kids did a great job. I was so pleased with what they came up with. And they were all pleased as punch. Our local free newspaper (not one of the biggies) even wrote an article about it. So last year Matthew’s class was on the news and this year they are in the paper. He’s had great teachers and I’m so grateful for everything they’ve done for him!
