Creative Discovery

Having BIG fun while learning to read music in BIG ways! Choir students race to place life sized musical notes where they belong in Treble Clef Relay.

FINE ARTS ROTATION

CREATIVE DISCOVERY & GAINING SMARTS WHILE SAMPLING THE ARTS By Heather Bennett, Communications Specialist

TThe Journal of Neuroscience published the results of a January 2021 University of Zurich study that found teaching children to play a musical instrument increases skills and brain power. Brains of musicians and non-musicians were scanned showing “musicians’ brains were more structurally and functionally connected than non-musicians.” The musicians’ brains displayed stronger connections in control of higher cognitive functions relating to memory, working memory, and executive functions. The study also relayed that the benefits remain even if they do not continue playing an instrument.

Two years ago, similar research among other variables inspired the Fine Arts Department led by Director Lynn Beardsley in collaboration with MS Assistant Principal LeAnn Murry to brainstorm and formulate the MS Fine Arts Rotation program. Fine Arts faculty played vital roles as well in orchestrating meaningful and logistically viable ways to make early exposure to LRCA’s wide array of Arts come to fruition.

Each spring semester, 5th grade Warriors have classes in Band, Choir, Theatre, and Visual Arts. They try out different instruments, learn to read music, immerse in various creative media/techniques, and aspects of the performing arts. Sixth graders dive into beginning Fine Arts classes where they wish to invest more time and attention.

“This is a great opportunity for our 5th graders in particular to explore all fine arts (in developmentally appropriate ways) that many don’t get to try out before they have to make a decision for 6th grade,” Mrs. Murry states.

Fifth grader Mary Peeples shares, “It’s really cool, because we get out of our comfort zone and try new things and see our choices. It helps us practice and make decisions for what we want to do later. It feels good to know I’m able to do that.”

MS Visual Arts teacher Kimmie Harrison explains, “The 5th grade rotation helps students get a taste of all that is offered in our department. It’s a great approach to help them get a feel for what gifts they want to develop in the coming years. The only bummer is I sure wish I had more time for my students to create more projects! But hopefully that will make them eager to take a Visual Arts class in the future, so that they can develop their skills and create more pieces”

For our parade project, we looked into the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and attempted to create a fun replica of this annual tradition. Students created a colorful background to give a big city feel and then created their own balloon. We added string to help give the appearance of a balloon floating down the streets of mini cities! -Kimmie Harrison, MS Visual Arts