One of the workshops I developed for the teaching artist program is “Dancing with a Paintbrush.” One school in town, Pesson Elementary, booked me for four Tuesdays. This week the counselor told me that I would be working with the toughest class in the school. Since I’ve done the workshop multiple times now, I have a pretty good handle on the process. I decided to trust the flow even with these “tough” students.
Maybe it was the threats of “no dance for you” or maybe it was the nature of poetry, art, and music, but these kids were amazing!
I added a new song to the selection, “Vivaldi-Spring” by Black Violin. This is a rocked-out version of the classical piece. I enjoyed watching the kids’ reactions. They literally started dancing in their chairs. But they stayed quiet, honoring the “sacred space” for painting.
One of my favorite things in the whole world is the sound of a classroom of students writing.
The teachers themselves were amazed at the engagement of their students. I wanted to shout, “See what the arts can do for your students!”
One of the teachers understood. She painted with them and wrote her own poem. She shyly shared her own writing. She told me, “I used to write poetry all the time.” I hope she will be inspired to keep writing, and keep writing with her students.
Triangles
As pointed
as the lines
as truthful
as the sky
as creative
as squares
as promising
as circles
more than truths less
than lies
they’re everywhere
but in your mind, tell
a truth not
a lie like
the circles
in the sky.
(student poem)
As the colors went up
More came down
As the color made a
Primary color they formed a tower
Of power
More dots, more movement
More of everything
Like an alliance
To form a masterpiece
(student poem)
Reflections on the Teche 