Today we arrived in Framingham to start the week with our new group at BRAMAS- [Brazilian American Association]. Bob, Femke, Nathalie and myself were there to teach the 26 students, and lead them onto and into the PPPPerforms journey. The kids ranged in age from 9 to 17.
During the morning warm-ups, Nathalie led us in some games to help the kids build confidence in each other and to get to know one another. We continued this by introducing ourselves, stretching, moving, playing a game of catch of sorts, and then ended with a "machine building" exercise where the kids "built" their own machines using their bodies,-- each having a demonstrative movement and sound to go with their respective role in the multi-bodied machine.
After warming up, we gathered in the larger room where Bob took the lead on introducing the kids to the art of book-making. He showed them the materials they would be using, demonstrating how to use each one, and also gave them a look at what their choices would be for the textures and colors of papers they could choose from. We broke up into a few groups, and made use of the three rooms; one for painting, and two others to have a bit more space to stretch out and work. The kids dove in!
The students made sketch-books to write in during various exercises, and to use for themselves throughout the week to jot notes, to draw in, and to reflect on what their experiences are/will be. This was an introduction to the finalized books they will then make on Friday.
It was very exciting to see the kids explore their options for cover layout, and interior pages; all the books varying in colors, sizes, lengths and design elements. As their confidence grew with their bookmaking skills, some students (not necessarily the older ones) found a place in lending a hand to their peers with their newly found skills. It was great to see them sharing and really focusing on their creativity and ideas. This portion of the day seemed to be a joy for all, teachers included.
After the book-making session, we took a break to eat lunch, and gab a bit about what their books turned out like, and how they were feeling, what they thought of the workshop (so far, so good!) and some other side notes.
We then resumed in the larger room to introduce the text All Summer In A Day
by Bradbury. Femke and I took turns reading the story aloud, breaking in-between sections (three in all) to give the kids 'one minute' to write and/or draw their reactions to what they had heard.
After reading, we broke up into different groups. We asked each group to take three pieces of paper to draw on. We suggested they look to their sketch-books for inspiration-- to what they had written during the one-minute reactions. This exercise, we also let them know, was about collectively making decisions--- about what to draw, in reference to the three sections of the story, and how they would go about chosing and deciding, some children preferring to draw while others might be the idea makers, or 'directors'. There were a couple of bumps along the way, but overall this was a very successful exercise and the kids really took care of their work and put in a huge effort. There were many accounts of the rain, the sun, and also Margot.
We then met together in the larger room, to discuss for a small amount of time what words/images the kids thought about and what portions of the story they may have been associating or informing their drawings with.
The last exercise involved asking the kids to sit in pairs, back to back, on a 7' roll of paper to conjure and draw. One child would sit facing the paper, ready to draw what the child opposite would then describe; this proved to be a fruitful exercise, though we will have to re-cap tomorrow as there were many children getting picked-up at this time, and overall the exercise was cut short.
A few issues we need to be saavy about are using the space to the ut-most and not letting it hinder our experience. It can be overwhelming for all involved when there are nearly thirty kids in one average sized room! I also feel very strongly about dividing the girls and boys in a more equal way-- so that the girls do not convene and the energy the boys have together can balance out more evenly.
Also,there are several older students who are fantastic helpers, and should be encouraged to do so! This helps tremendously with community building, and also of course with getting things accomplished.
Looking forward to tomorrow with Antonio and Adriana!
Maria LaCreta
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