Understanding the difference between character traits and emotions can be confusing for students. Being aware that emotions constantly change is helpful. Throughout a story, emotions change between characters and within individuals and situations. In class, reading groups had the task of identifying and charting the specific emotions displayed in their books. Each student drew a line representing the changing emotions. Upon completion, all went to the piano, studied their lines as musical scores and played their pieces as original compositions. For many, it was their first experience as composers.

Emotional Scores

The Musical Composition

We are Harness the Stars Kids Opera Company. Our name and logo represent who we are and what we do as members of a unified group working collaboratively to create an original opera.

During the school day there is little opportunity to slow down and breathe. We are moving so quickly from one task to another to satisfy the curriculum and maintain the daily schedule that the time to reflect and process what is happening throughout the day is often neglected.

Just after lunch and recess, we pause to calm our bodies and prepare our minds for the afternoon ahead. Álvaro, a piano composition written by a dear friend in Spain, Pedro Sarmiento, plays softly as we enter the room. Without a word, we lie on our backs, close our eyes and focus only on our breathing, inhaling the positive air and exhaling the negative. As if by magic, we are transformed and ready to get back to the work of the day.

Upon hearing this beautiful music for the first time, the students shared visual images that came to mind. Those images eventually found their way onto paper.

Listen. What do you hear? What do you see in your mind?

[Read more…] about Breathing with Álvaro

Where will the journey of learning lead us this year? To prepare, we must pack our suitcases in anticipation of the adventures that lie ahead. And so we began with a simple question, “What should we pack for this year-long trip?” Responses from the students were quite practical until Kathryn raised her hand and stated,

“Passion is one thing I think we should bring.”

It was then that the conversation took a metaphorical detour. What else should we pack? Commitment, energy, inspiration, cooperation, determination, friendship, confidence, respect, responsibility and rest were indeed necessary, they all agreed. A few days later one company member suggested we throw mistakes in the suitcase as well, so that we may learn from them along the way.

“What comes to mind when you hear the words error or mistake?” As students brainstorm and throw out their many responses and reactions to this question, a specific course for instruction takes shape.

How can we move forward with our learning when we are terrified of making mistakes? From parents, teachers and from society in general, we receive mixed messages regarding this theme. We are told that it is critical to make mistakes in order to learn, but at the same time, are told that we should avoid making mistakes at all cost. How can we decipher which message to adopt? In this world, there are no rewards, no prizes given for mistakes. And so, we strive for perfection, but never quite make the mark. In this manner, we often feel defeated, deflated, like a failure.

We must change this mindset if we want our kids to be contributing members of society who discover innovative ideas and solutions to address the world’s most challenging problems. Let’s teach them to embrace their mistakes, analyze them carefully and work through them to find a solution. If we are empowered by determination, perseverance and a commitment to try and try again, when at first we don’t succeed, we will discover who we are and what we have to offer the world.