Exploring the faces of reconnection has driven us deeper and deeper into the mixed emotions that occur as a result of this reunion. Metaphor allows us the perfect medium to express and explain our infinite definitions and perspectives of this powerful theme and thesis.

What color is reconnection? The students see it clearly. As they share drawings and writing, defending their ideas and choices of color, we all become more and more invested in discovering where this thinking may lead in developing strong characters and a profound story line.

What color is reconnection? Please share with us what you see, what you feel, what you think.

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Since day one, after looking in the mirror to answer the initial question, “What do I see?” we have been observing and analyzing character traits in ourselves and in the interesting characters we get to know through literature.

Our first mission was to clarify the difference between personality traits and emotions. We then began generating an ongoing list of traits that would eventually serve to help in creating authentic characters. As we thought about specific characteristics that would be bold and immediately identifiable on stage, students “acted out” those options they considered most interesting. From this improvisational experience, company members selected five dominant traits to represent five separate characters. After, they spent two weeks defending a host of positive and negative traits to accompany the dominant trait and build unique characters that would illuminate the theme and thesis, and establish compelling relationships. Determining character motivation, what drives a character to do the things he does, occurred through a series of improvisation sessions. Take a look.

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Many children, when confronted with an unfamiliar problem or challenge, dismiss it as too hard, say “I can’t do it,” or “you never taught me this.” They make no attempt to solve the problem or address the situation unless they can clearly see a path for resolution. In other words, they must know beforehand, that they will be successful. A primary goal of the learning process is training ourselves to look at a problem with an open mind, observe carefully what we know, assess what we don’t and determine a strategy of attack. When students embrace this philosophy, they take risks, make mistakes and truly understand that real learning can only happen when failure is a part of the process. Through bouts of frustration, uncertainty and confusion, passion and perseverance will be our guide.

As Philip worked incessantly for fifty minutes on a difficult math problem, I bent down to offer encouragement and noticed what he had written at the top of his paper.

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Excitement filled the room. With great anticipation, every company member awaited the moment his name would be called, his job would be assigned. In ceremonious fashion and fanfare, with a drum roll preceding each announcement and applause following, all students graciously accepted their positions of hire. They signed a red, shiny contract indicating their commitment. Composers, electricians, set designers and carpenters, costume and make-up designers, performers, writers, public relations officers, stage manager and production manager now begin work in earnest.

[Read more…] about Accepting the Job, Signing a Contract

Protected in a corner of each student’s desk, a white two-inch binder rests, eagerly awaiting its next writing entry, poem or assignment. All writing is neatly organized chronologically in order to observe and analyze growth over time. How have I progressed as a reader, a writer, a mathematician, a scientist, a historian, a learner, a human being? It is imperative that students reflect on what they are doing, assess their strengths and weaknesses and make goals to improve.

Looking in the mirror and asking, “What do I see?” is necessary in stimulating the social-emotional perspective of our learning. The responses to this question, when compared to the first day of school, show that students are beginning to look more closely inside themselves to evaluate who they are, where they are going and what they want to be. This shift will significantly impact their academic achievement as they move through the year. It will also affect how they see the world and themselves interacting with others in this world.

[Read more…] about Self Evaluation: Processing, Understanding and Sharing Progress

Our theme and thesis have been solidified. After many in-depth discussions, writing sessions and shared emotions, it has become clear.

Theme . . . RECONNECTION.

We dove down deep, explored the many faces of reconnection and determined a thesis that is sure to carry a powerful message to the audience.

Thesis . . . Reconnection causes mixed emotions.

It is evident that the students truly want and care about being reconnected to someone in their lives. But the more they converse, the more they realize that when they get what they think they want and are indeed reconnected, something is missing, something has changed, something is not quite right.

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How many kids can say they were hired for a REAL job in third grade?

After learning about the responsibilities and tasks of each job in the company, members of Lightning Strike Kids Opera Company completed preference sheets, carefully selecting three jobs for which they would want to be hired.

Then, began the process and art of persuasion. Convincing the directors that he or she is the best one for the job was expected of each person.

The students delivered. The directors were not disappointed. The decisions will be difficult.

[Read more…] about A Real Job…The Application and Interview Process (Videos)

While listening to Grand Canyon Suite by Ferde Grofé, opera company members drew pictures, stories and varied images that entered their minds. Some had entire narratives taking shape on the page. Others created descriptive sensory images through pictures and words. We extended the imaginative session as an introduction to lighting design.

Using flashlights, hand made footlights from previous opera companies and an assortment of lamps, students designed and executed a lighting plan to accompany the music. With no adult direction, twenty-five students collaborated in silence to illuminate a composition they had heard only once. Many discovered a new interest or talent that day. I observed a heightened awareness of interdependence. What do you see?

[Read more…] about An Authentic Intro…Ferde Grofé Lights Up (Video)

Lightning Strike Kids Opera Company sparked an amazing conversation. We were discussing why our work is challenging, thought provoking, and encourages us to question and seek answers to make sense of our world.

“It’s not supposed to be easy,” I tell the students. “Were it easy, one would learn nothing.” But the truth is . . . kids don’t get this. They think they are supposed to know the answers, understand immediately all that is asked of them on an assignment and finish a task in a single session. And if they don’t, they feel something is wrong with them. They don’t know what they are missing. How could they? It is our responsibility to show them, guide them to the water, motivate them to move beyond the known. Then and only then will they begin to experience learning in a new way, learning that will take them to a different level of knowing and being.

[Read more…] about Swimming on the Surface or Diving Deep?

A critical component of all great project work, threading its way through the authentic year-long process is field experience. Students must observe first hand the work of their professional counterparts in the real world. Then, they will know that what they are doing is significant, that what they are doing can and will make a difference, and that what they are doing extends beyond the walls of their school.

Last week, Round House Theatre in Bethesda, Maryland graciously opened its doors to us, inviting us to take a closer look behind the scenes. Our generous hostess, Associate Producer Danisha Crosby, led us on a back stage tour, showed us how the unique revolving set functioned and gave us insight into the intricate, magical workings of theater that inspire and enlighten us from the audience.

[Read more…] about Making it Real…Round House Theatre