A Broadway Books First Class Visit from Eden Duncan-Smith

My Broadway Baby (and former first grade student) Eden Duncan-Smith returns
to inspire my current crop of first graders.

Where do you start?  

How do you separate the present from the past?
With bits of memories scattered here and there,
I look around and don't know where to start.*

I feel a little like that right now - Where DO I start? How can one post capture the layered emotions of a dazzling homecoming, a full circle moment celebrating positivity in education and spirit?  I suppose like any good musical theater aficionado I should "start at the very beginning, a very good place to start".

Eden Duncan-Smith's Broadway Books First Class visit had the school community abuzz with excitement. This was because Eden attended our school from kindergarten through fifth grade and was a student of mine when she was in first grade ten years ago.  When the thought of this project came about I immediately thought of Eden who entered into her first Broadway show, Fences, while with us. Soon afterwards, she went on to star as Young Nala in the spectacular broadway extravaganza Disney's Lion King.  Last year she starred as orphan Isabella in the movie Annie (2014) with other movie roles sprinkled throughout 2015.

Thankfully, Eden is very enthusiastic about giving back to the community and supporting literacy/arts programs in schools.  Her loving mom, Nicole, encourages Eden's acts of kindness and helped coordinate this visit.

I loved showing my current class of first graders pictures of Eden from when she was in first grade.  I also had a copy of a "small moment" story written by a young(er) Eden about the time she attended a pageant.  Sharing these visual memories was a powerful way to build connections between Eden and the children.  We wanted to send a strong message that they can ALL achieve astounding things in any field if they can dream it and work to make it happen.

The notion of working towards a goal became an underlying theme. Students asked Eden how she juggles going to school with her hectic professional life.  In short, it ain't easy!  It requires dedication and tenacity.  They also wanted to know about The Lion King and, of course, Annie!

We watched snippets of the movie before Eden's visit and you can bet your bottom dollar these little Annie fans wanted to hear all about it.  Eden graciously answered questions and even sang a bit of that heartbreaking ode to optimism Maybe.  That, in turn, prompted the students to spontaneously break out into a chorus of It's a Hard Knock Life.

Eden read Annie: A True Family alongside our exquisite American Sign Language interpreter Mary Grace Gallagher (although Eden signs herself). The children were excited to see that Eden was pictured in the book. Afterwards our Parent Coordinator, Terry,  had a little surprise from our Parent Association.  Terry happily handed out copies of the book and Eden wrote a personal message for each student.

After many hugs and smiles it was time to say goodbye - for now. To borrow (yet another) lyric from a Broadway musical, this visit was measured in love.

*Lyrics from Where do you Start? by Alan and Marilyn Bergman

Broadway Holiday

My little literacy and arts program Broadway Books First Class kicklined onto the stage less than 3 months ago but oh, what a merry string of events has unfolded in that short span of time.

Word of mouth and the kindness of new friends brought me in touch with Other Voices, an organization "founded by Kim Weild and Jill Bernard to create new, bold and innovative works of art that bridge socio-economic and cultural divides".

Inspired by Broadway Books First Class, Kim and Jill had the idea to create a show and companion book based on the stories of my students (and others) at PS347 The American Sign Language and English Lower School.

Other Voices will conduct a series of Winter Workshops with the children in February and the show will be performed at The High Line in April 2016.

In order to raise money to support a companion book they put together Broadway Holiday, an evening of "singing, signing and celebration" featuring Broadway performers from Spring Awakening, Beautiful, Amazing Grace, Cabaret and more. The event takes place this Thursday night, December 17 at 9:30 PM.  The book is a beautiful take-away for the students serving as a reminder that their creative voices matter.

So, if you are in New York City and looking to show some love for this project please swing by 42West.  It promises to be a spectacular evening.

A Broadway Books First Class Visit from Charles Busch

First Graders with the incomparable Charles Busch

At first glance it may seem as though inviting drag legend Charles Busch - who penned Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Psycho Beach Party and Die, Mommie, Die! - to spend an afternoon with my first grade students was an odd choice.  But, thank goodness for second glances and looking beyond the surface to the man behind the flawless makeup.  In that lucid realm, it becomes immediately apparent that Charles Busch is an inspired addition to Broadway Books First Class.

Besides, what is more quintessentially New York than showcasing a performer who created a path in the rough-and-tumble world of theater by surrounding himself with kindred spirits while relying on his talent and determination.  Cooperation and perseverance are qualities educators nurture in school-aged children.

My team teacher Oni and I couldn't wait to introduce the children to Charles and his work.  So, one morning a week before his visit we projected a photograph of him onto our SmartBoard.  We first discussed Charles as a writer and made connections to the writing we do every day.  We discussed scripts and did a little role playing with two characters I created. The boys and girls slipped between the characters without regard for gender. Boys happily played the girl part and vice versa.

Actor, playwright and
drag legend Charles Busch

Next, we told the children that Charles often performs in his own shows playing the woman's role.  To provide the visual we unveiled a very glamours shot of Charles in costume and prepared for their reaction.

Here was a moment when you realize, once again, that prejudice against those outside of our everyday purview must be carefully taught.  After an initial reaction of awesome wonder their shock melted away.  The first comment when asked what they thought about his alter ego was to point out that he had a digraph in his first AND last name.

Over the next several days the kids came up with some questions for Mr. Busch.

Did you like to act and write when you were little?

What kinds of books do you like to read?

How are your acting and writing connected?

How often do you dress like a girl and how do you do it?

He answered all of these with a striking honesty that showed a vulnerability and a willingness to step outside of his comfort zone to open up to a group of children.  During his time with us he shared that he  had a "rather lonely childhood and always felt different from the other kids".  (I wonder how many of the students in our class also feel different, lonely, or outside the boundaries of what is typical.)  Charles said he found his voice in theater surrounded by others who had similar experiences growing up.

It's a good thing for all of us that he did!  His reading of The Spider and the Fly was a joy to behold. I couldn't help but feel I had a front row seat to a standing room only performance right there in my own classroom.

Todd Parr, one of my favorite children's book authors, often ends his books by writing, "The world is a better place because of you".  As I said goodbye to Charles that afternoon those words danced around my mind.  The world is indeed a better place because of Mr. Charles Busch.

A Broadway Books First Class Visit from Hollie Wright

Joyous Broadway dancer Hollie Wright (seated) with our first grade students.
Notice the girls on the right signing the letters "H" and "W" for her name.

Curtain Up!  Light the Lights!  And...

Five, Six, Seven, Eight...

Children and movement - they seem to go hand-in-hand.  Little bodies squirm, wiggle and fidget.  How wonderful it is to direct that energy into a form of creative expression.

Our second Broadway Books First Class visitor gave us the incentive to do just that!

We set the stage for Hollie Wright's visit by taking our first grade class to Lincoln Center to see Ballet Hispanico perform dynamic choreography to the music of Celia Cruz, Tito Puente and Xavier Cugat.  The dancers celebrated the captivating aesthetics of Hispanic culture in solo, paired and group numbers utilizing space and time to great advantage.  This performance generated questions for Hollie including, "Do you dance alone or with someone?" and "What kinds of dancing do you do?"

We also read books about dancers - check out the soaring Firebird by Misty Copeland - and began a Latin Dance class ourselves through New York City's Town Hall.

Hollie brought Pointe shoes

The books brought another question to mind, "Why do dancers dance in pointe shoes?"  In general, dancing shoes were an area of curiosity so I asked Hollie if she could bring along some shoes for the kids to explore.

She happily complied by bringing ballet slippers, Pointe shoes, character shoes and tap shoes.  She even gave a command performance by tapping splendidly on our tile floor and later, leading the students in a series of stretches.

But, before all that happened she read.  We chose Dancing in the Wings by Debbie Allen (interesting side note: Hollie understudied Debbie Allen's daughter Vivian Nixon in Hot Feet on Broadway).

Hollie gathered the children around her on the rug and read the story of Sassy who dreams of becoming a dancer.  Throughout the reading Hollie paused to ask and answer questions, show pictures and comment on the story.

Hollie reading Dancing in the Wings with ASL interpretation by Mary Grace Gallagher

Like Gregory Jbara before her, we noticed Hollie knew how to gauge the reading to keep little bodies with short attention spans engaged.  After the reading I commented on this only to find out she has a degree in education and is experienced in teaching young children.

She has been dancing since Age 2 and has been taught by the best (Maurice Hines!).  She also enjoys a long association with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater School. She is in demand but for a while she chose to spend time with us.

I am thankful I met this bighearted performer that hot summer night this August outside the theater of her Broadway show Amazing Grace. Her visit was inspiring.  Who knows?  We may have a future dancer in our midst!

Reviving Miss Nancy

Miss Nancy of Romper Room

Ah, education!

Your pendulum swings with such force from one "fresh" ideology to another but the only things that are new again are the superficial wrapping and arbitrary labels.

This past go 'round was particularly ugly.  The last few years have been virtually joyless, abusive and heartbreaking for teachers. Thankfully, that is changing.  At least in my little corner of the world.

Our school is returning to the Teachers College Columbia University Reading and Writing Project for literacy development.  Their curriculum actually teaches children how to read and write in a developmentally appropriate manner.  

It is such a pleasure to receive educational guidance from folks who know how children learn. This is a great departure from curricula developed by test makers posing as educators.  We'll be dealing with the damage they caused for many, many years (I am looking at you Pearson!)

The one drawback is the way the literacy coaches from the Reading and Writing Project teach and interact with students.  They all seem to be emulating the over-the-top style of 1960s Romper Room television hosts welcoming children or peering through the Magic Mirror.



I am not sure why the coaches all seem programmed with a robotic Stepford Wives computer chip of congeniality but I'll take maniacal smiles over disapproving scowls any day.

Don't be surprised if you walk by my room one day and catch me muttering,

Romper, stomper, bomper boo.

Tell me, tell me, tell me, do. 

Magic Mirror, tell me today,

Did all my friends have fun at play?