Yesterday, I wrapped up six weeks of working with five grade 1-2 classes in the Limestone Elementary Virtual School. The kids created shadow plays, which they presented during the last class. In their plays, the students told the story of their names. How did they get their name? What does it mean? They also talked about their families, their likes, their identities. During the six weeks, 60+ remarkable little people made shadow theatres and puppets, drew identity maps, created storyboards, learned how to animate (and organize!) puppets and rehearsed. The shows were inspiring - all of those brave kids proudly talking about their names, their families, their pets, their life stories. They had so many different experiences and yet also had so many points of connection to each other.
Sara Ahmed’s remarkable book, Being The Change, was the inspiration for the structure of the workshop. It’s a beautiful book and I think it’s essential reading for educators. It’s about the importance of truly seeing each other. It’s about giving kids the support and tools to understand and feel proud of who they are. Thanks to Equity Curriculum Consultant Rachael McDonald for introducing me to Ahmed’s book.
Thanks to the Limestone District School Board for bringing me on as an Artist-in-Residence, to Rachael McDonald for coordinating and supporting all of us artists working in the program, and thanks to the Ontario Arts Council for supporting the Limestone’s Artist-in-Residence program.
(Note: The photo here is of my daughter working on one of my shadow pieces, not of the workshops. I don’t post photos of other people’s kids!)
