Perfect

We had a sweet, playful, and engaging visit with children's book author/illustrator Max Amato yesterday. Max is a young artist whose very first children's book, PERFECT, caught the eye of one of my students. This little boy brought the book in to share with the class and it was a smashing success. I was so taken with their reaction that I emailed Max to invite him to visit with our kindergarten and first grade students. Happily, he accepted!

I couldn't wait to tell the students about his response. They cheered and jumped up and down when I shared the news. Once again, I thought how wonderful it is to teach in New York City. Opportunities like these seem more available here.

Max Amato meets the student who brought PERFECT to our attention

Max read his book alongside an ASL interpreter as the children giggled and supplied a charming running commentary. The kindergarten students knew the book, but the first graders were seeing it for the first time. PERFECT is a mostly visual experience about an eraser who wants everything "perfect" and his fun-loving nemesis, pencil.

In the end, the pair learns to work together to create adventure. Max told us that as a child he wanted everything perfect and learned to embrace imperfection. PERFECT was inspired by his letting go. It is a journey that I understand all too well, although I still want things to be perfect.

Max Amato used pencil and eraser to create artwork before our very eyes!

After the reading, Max put a blank piece of paper under our document camera and slowly used a pencil to cover the entire page. He then asked the children what images they wanted to see. Then, he created them using an eraser. And yes, there was applause when he was finished!

The children went off to their tables armed with their own paper, pencils, and erasers to make their own art. As they did, Max autographed books for everyone.

Max Amato signs books for the students

The room was filled with energy and movement - just how I like it. Children were happily invested in their creations. It's a simple way to create art. One that is accessible to everyone. It's messy and smudgy and imperfect, but somehow absolutely perfect. I guess that's the point.

I loved looking around the room to see the children working, hands and faces covered in dark pencil smudges. And then noticing others quietly reading their books, pointing to the words, deep in concentration.

Photo: Sarah Piracha

A child quietly reads his copy of PERFECT. I love this picture so much!

Max's visit has encouraged more children to bring in books to share! Every morning someone is pulling a book out of his or her backpack to read to the class. It's very motivating. Who knows, there may be another gem waiting to be discovered.

Photo: Maria Edwards

The whole crew with children's book author/illustrator Max Amato

*Thank you to the PS347 Parent Association whose generous support made this author visit possible.

A Broadway Books First Class Visit From Kenny Leon

Photo: Eileen Lograno

Tony Award Winner Kenny Leon with kindergarten and first grade students

In Kenny Leon's Tony Award acceptance speech for Best Direction of a Play he said, "I'm looking forward to the day when every child in America can have a little piece of theatre in their daily educational lives."

Although I gave a cheer back in 2014 when I heard those words, I had no idea that the folks in my life would one day connect us in a one degree of separation sorta way or that Kenny would personally bring a "little piece of theatre" to my own classroom.

Well, actually I knew a little bit because Kenny had already directed my former first grade student, Eden Duncan-Smith, in the 2010 Broadway revival of August Wilson's Fences. That play won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play and I was filled with pride to see Eden join the creative team on stage to accept the award.

Then, in 2018 he brought my team teacher of 9 years, Lauren Ridloff, to Broadway in Children of a Lesser God. That opportunity landed Lauren a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress, which led to roles in The Walking Dead and Marvel's upcoming feature, The Eternals. It was Lauren who introduced me to Kenny and put in a good word for Broadway Books First Class. And I was thrilled to welcome him as my latest guest artist.

I did my homework in preparation for his visit. I read his memoir Take You Wherever You Go and admired how he used theater to bring diverse groups of people together. His work is, and has been, filled with purpose and includes an impressive list of Broadway credits: A Raisin in the Sun, Gem of the Ocean, American Son, Holler If Ya Hear Me, and A Soldier's Play (among others). At a recent preshow talk for a matinee of A Soldier's Play the dramaturg said that Kenny Leon was the go-to guy for directing thought-provoking plays about African Americans on Broadway.

I was psyched for Kenny to pass along some of his passion and insight to my students. I wanted them to feel the strength of his dedication, understand his message, and feel his compassion. As I shared his work with the children in the weeks leading up to his visit, we developed a list of questions.

The students connected in a very personal way when I told them Kenny studied American Sign Language (ASL). They were curious as to why he wanted to learn ASL and how he learned it. This question held immediate importance for the children because, for most of them, ASL is their first language. Kenny's desire to learn more about their language, their culture, and their experience made them want to learn more about him. They were impressed to discover he even had a name sign - a name sign is given by someone who is Deaf and is an important part of Deaf culture.

The students also wanted to know more about his job as a director. And they wanted to know which of his many theatrical experiences was the most special. He told us it was working with Lauren because she was initially his sign language teacher when he was preparing Children of a Lesser God and then she became an actor in that play. He shared that he loves the Deaf community and is, "Really, really, really excited to be here in this class with you today. You have made my day." What a show of respect and generosity from this beautifully affable gentleman!

Kenny Leon reads Hey Black Child by Useni Eugene Perkins alongside ASL interpreter Rick Rubin

I selected the children's book Hey Black Child by Useni Eugene Perkins and Bryan Collier for Kenny to read. This book has parallels to his directorial work in its themes. Bryan Collier expanded on the text by infusing his beautiful illustrations with pictorial commentary on African American history, struggle, empowerment, and pride.

Kenny, in his reading, made wonderful use of the oft-repeated refrain, Hey Black Child. He would read it and wait a beat, silently encouraging the children to echo those words - the momentum building with each stanza. In the illustrator's note in the back of the book Bryan Collier writes, "Hey Black Child is an ode to young black children that inspires and celebrates their lives. The children throughout discover their own worth and ability to the magical words of Useni Eugene Perkins." Kenny Leon's sonorous, expressive voice provided an exquisite reading which honored the poem, the illustrations, and the intention behind the work.

Photo: Eileen Lograno

A student fingerspells her name for Kenny

For almost 40 minutes Kenny charmed and inspired us before tackling a large stack of books awaiting his signature. Students now had an opportunity for some one-on-one time with him as he inscribed a personal message (such as, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING!) for each child. This is a wonderful time in the visits for me because I can relax a bit. The room is abuzz with excitement as children write thank you cards, read their autographed books, and connect personally with the guest artist.

It is also a time when I get to express my gratitude. I often think these visits are like planting seeds from unmarked envelopes. We know something will grow from it, but can't be sure exactly what it will be. One child may be inspired to become involved in theater, another may feel empowered to share their gifts with others, and still another may remember a feeling of simply being seen. To feel acknowledged and valued cannot be underestimated. Kenny Leon made sure that no matter what grows from their time with him, each child knows that, for them, anything is possible.

Students share a laugh while making thank you cards

A Broadway Books First Class Visit From John Treacy Egan and Jason Simon

Photo Credit: Eileen Lograno

Guest artists John Treacy Egan and Jason Simon visit with kindergarten students to read their book INGREDIENTS FOR A WITCH

"YEE HEH HEH HEH HEH HEH!" 

Screeches bounded forth from 20 kindergarteners - and several adults - at the prodding of John Treacy Egan and Jason Simon as they read aloud from their Halloween themed children's book INGREDIENTS FOR A WITCH.

There is a misconception that deaf/hard of hearing children are silent, quiet individuals. Anyone passing by our classroom as the sound of cackling, witchy laughter rattled the windows could attest to the fact that this is not the case. The mood was loud, joyous, and festive as we traveled into Halloween Hills with John and Jason's enchanting characters: Witch Betty, Boney Jones, and Pumpkin. There is nothing quite like the palpable energy surrounding a good story - especially one with skeletons, witches, talking cats, and magic spells.

The lure of storytelling cannot be denied. It has roots in tales told throughout the ages around a communal hearth and has morphed through time to reflect societal advances. Stories continue to capture the imagination with digital technology, virtual reality, and other interactive enticements. However, nothing beats a master storyteller playing to a specific audience, skillfully drawing them in and guiding them through the ups and downs of the hero's journey. And we had not one, but two such storytellers visit us in early October.

John Treacy Egan and Jason Simon read INGREDIENTS FOR A WITH alongside ASL interpreter Lewis Merkin (notice Lewis is signing SKELETON)

It was the perfect way to kick off Year Five of Broadway Books First Class. The program, originally conceived as a celebration of literacy and the Arts for students in first grade, has grown to encompass children in preK through fifth grade. This year, I'm teaching kindergarten. The children are brilliant, funny, and engaged, but they are also moody, distractible, and, well...very young.

As always when I begin a new school year with a fresh group of students, especially ones this little, I worry and wonder about how they will respond to Broadway guest artists, read alouds, and in-depth discussions around themes relating to such topics as diversity, acceptance, and collaboration. Will they embrace the visits? Will they be engaged? Will they feel a sense of pride and importance because these artists chose to spend a morning with them? Will the lessons permeate their everyday lives? Will they love the books they get to take home after each visit and read them again and again? Will they become more motivated, skillful readers as a result? In short, will my hopes and dreams for the program take root within them and grow exponentially into something meaningful?

And, thankfully, each year the answer has been yes. Perhaps it's because of the angst that fuels careful preparation or perhaps it's because I've been fortunate enough to have an angel looking over my program. And in true theatrical fashion, this angel on the catwalk is a celebrated Broadway performer with three Tony Award nominations - Mary Testa!

Mary Testa stepped in three years ago amid my growing concerns about returning to teach preschool and what it would mean for the program. She introduced me to Tony Award nominee Jonathan Freeman, who is best known to children for playing Jafar in Disney's Aladdin. Jonathan was a guest artist tailor made for my younger students and his participation ushered in a splendidly exciting year for all of us.

John Treacy Egan as Chef Louis in Disney's The Little Mermaid on Broadway

Mary came through again this year by introducing me to John Treacy Egan, whose role as Chef Louis in Disney's The Little Mermaid served to pique the interest of my kindergarteners. In preparing for his visit I shared an amusing video of John in character, preparing his culinary delights while chopping and deboning our friends from under the sea. The action is humorous in its buffoonery and elicited gasps and giggles from the children. In short, they were hooked - perfect!

There were even more delighted when he brought in a prototype for the prop fish used in the show. Students got to dismantle, reassemble, and play with it as they passed it around the room. John even sang us an energetic a cappella chorus of "Les Poissons" (with a fantastic ASL interpretation by Tavoria Kellam).

Later, as John "the scribe" answered questions about his Broadway career and his children's book Ingredients for a Witch - it is inspired by his musical for children called The Real Wicked Witches of Halloween Hills - Jason 'the scribbler" drew us a picture of Pumpkin, the cat, to hang in our classroom. However, the gifts didn't stop there.

Jason Simon creates artwork for our classroom as a student watches

They brought along bookmarks featuring their enchanting characters with sayings like, "READING can be MAGICAL!", "HEY! Who wants to READ?" and "BACK OFF! I'M READING HERE!" There were also coloring pages, which we saved and colored on Halloween, and books! Every child took home a book signed by both John and Jason.

Artwork by Jason Simon

I'm told there is a second book planned in the series and we are all looking forward to John and Jason's return next year. By then, the children will be a little bit older and will take away new things from the experience. But, just like this year, we will all celebrate reading and getting lost in a good story.

Thank you John Treacy Egan and Jason Simon for a wonderful morning!

Dear Theodosia

My kindergarten students have entered into an exciting partnership with Brooklyn Collaborative on creating a student ASL recording of Dear Theodosia from the musical HAMILTON. We've been rehearsing a section of the song - seen beautifully interpreted by Brandon Kazen-Maddox in the above recording - containing these lyrics;

You will come of age with our young nation

We'll bleed and fight for you, we'll make it right for you

if we lay a strong enough foundation

We'll pass it on to you, we'll give the world to you

And you'll blow us all away

Someday, someday

Yeah, you'll blow us all away

Someday, someday

It is incredible to witness how quickly my young students pick it up and infuse it with feeling and emotion. I look forward to sharing the finished product when it is ready.

Insights

Every page is an opportunity to get to know our students

Little hands slide across white paper, black lines creating images that provide insight into the child's thoughts. What is going on in their lives that is yearning to be expressed in these drawings? How is this sustained concentration serving the child's need to communicate?

My kindergarten students are active, emotional, and exceedingly dramatic with short attention spans that are easily influenced by pangs of hunger, bouts of sleepiness, and intermittent moodiness. These adorable tykes are just five-years-old after all (some are still only four). But, there are two things that capture their attention - listening to stories read aloud in spoken English and American Sign Language, and independent writing.

This class loves to write!

I walk around the classroom with my team teacher, Sarah, and am fascinated by their drawings. I'm interested, of course, from a literacy perspective and in facilitating their development along the writing continuum. Yet, I'm equally fascinated by the inner workings of their stories. Every page is an opportunity to learn more about each one of them. What is happening in their lives? How are they processing the many things that are out of their control? Can they tell me about the pictures? Do they have the language skills to do this or must I carefully navigate and scaffold my questions to bridge that divide?

Here are a few examples...

"That's me moving into my new house."

This is a joyful example of what is either real or imagined for a young boy who has had to deal with some unfortunate challenges. His vibrant smile and animated tone as he explained how his whole family was moving into a new house brought hope. I saw in this unfinished drawing that his mind is grappling with things far more immediate than letters and numbers. Teachers are called on to do more than simply impart information. We are caretakers, advocates, and champions. We are here for him.

"Mommy has a baby inside"

This girl's drawings depict the very imminent arrival of a new sibling. The smiles and hearts let me know it is a happy occasion for her family. The "baby inside" (not sure why there are two in this drawing) is an adorable representation. I remember creating similar drawings when I was 7-years-old and my mom was pregnant with my sister, Jennifer.

A flower monster

I sat next to this child and asked about his drawing. He told me, "It's a flower monster." How deliciously complicated, I thought. Juxtaposing the gentleness of flowers with the scariness of a monster seemed brilliant. He is certainly not the first person to invent such a thing, but the vibrancy in the expression cannot be denied. And he made it into a book! That'd be a cool children's book - the fragrant, misunderstood monster dropping petals and drooping every so often.

There are many, many more to share and more are created every day. And I am honored to have the opportunity to sit next to these children and say, "Tell me about your drawing".