HOW WE WORK

DISTRICT 75

District 75 programming is customized for a variety of ages and developmental levels.

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  Music & Rhythm

  In this residency, the students learn to play percussion instruments. Teaching Artists choose from a variety of percussion instruments to find a match for each child despite his or her limitations. These instruments include drumsticks played on buckets, disc shaped hand drums, egg shakers, and wrist or ankle rattles, among many others. When needed the para-­professional, Teaching Artist, or classroom teacher will guide the use of the instrument using a hand-over-hand technique. The goal is to make music in an inclusive way. For non-verbal students playing drums, or any musical instrument, is very liberating because the instrument becomes a vehicle for communication, expression, and creating something valuable: music. For all students, singing or playing drums to folk songs creates community in the classroom, and teaches important concepts of unity and teamwork. If appropriate, students will also write their own lyrics to popular songs, and use movement as a way to comprehend lyrics and song forms. The repertoire can vary from the songs of Ella Jenkins and Pete Seegar to traditional Latin or African music. Classes can also be tailored to suit a teacher’s curriculum or project. In some cases, classes can decide to have a final performance, but the process of creating music is emphasized over product.

  Concepts and skills learned include:

  • Using recycled, found, and traditional percussive instruments to explore the variety of sounds possibilities innate in each.
  • Learning the concept of “call and response,” as played in Brazilian or African music.
  • Gaining strength in the hands, wrists, and arms, and enhancing fine motor skills while controlling drum sticks. This helps improve handwriting and drawing skills.
  • Following directions, gaining self-control, and listening.
  • Each student will have an opportunity to lead activities, allowing them to experience the role of conductor or leader.
  • Song forms are taught through repetition of songs that include drumming, so that classrooms serving students with a range of abilities and interests will find an engaging element for each.
  • Musical styles like samba, fife and drum, and afoxé are danced to, to gain an understanding of the connection between music and movement, while learning the names and feeling of a variety of musical styles.
  • Exploring the relationship between vibration and sound – a visceral, pleasurable experience for students.
  • Using visual cues, students learn the concept of dynamics (louds and softs), and depending on ability, may also learn to start and stop playing music from visual cues.
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  Painting

  This course offers students an opportunity to explore a variety of paints on a variety of surfaces; for example, water colors, acrylic paints, and colored soap on surfaces as diverse as canvas, drawing paper, and skin. The residency introduces different sizes and types of brushes, as well as other tools with which paint can be manipulated. Students mix colors and learn developmentally appropriate concepts and vocabulary. Exploring different sizes and shapes of mounts, and creating frames for finished art is an important part of the artistic process. Students are invited to show their finished art to classmates, teachers and parents.

  * This course is appropriate for all ages and all developmental levels.

  *Promotes eye-hand coordination, independence and focus, as students learn to negotiate different tactile experience and make aesthetic choices about their artwork.

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  Paper Sculpture

  This residency introduces students to new things they can do with paper, a ubiquitous and readily available material in their world. Different kinds, sizes and textures of paper will be explored for their sculptural possibilities. Students explore characteristics of paper that make it distinct from other materials, such as wood, fabric, cardboard and plastic. Students experiment with manipulating large and small pieces of paper to create 3-D shapes and objects. They explore how paper changes when mixed with other substances, such as water, glue or paint. They observe the effect of time as paper goes from wet to dry, soft to hard, smooth to rough.
  * This course is suitable for all Special Education populations.
  * Promotes sensory-motor exploration, problem-solving and fine motor skills.