ACADEMICS
And All That Jazz... Lower School Specials Collaborate to Make Music & Beauty
G
rade 1 and 2 students moved through an Interdisciplinary Jazz Unit in the 20212022 school year with guidance from Nashville’s new National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM). The Roots and Streams of Jazz fused musical influences with history, art, culture, language, and a spirit for social change. Lower School faculty explored this fantastic new museum to integrate exhibit themes into a unit that would create a deep appreciation for jazz and jazz musicians.
Michelle Andrade
Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications
18 | ENSWORTH ENSIGHTS
Lower School faculty Caitlin Harris, Hope Moeller, and Heidi Wolter initially conceived the jazz unit for Grades 1 and 2. The idea grew with support from Director of Curriculum and Instruction Bobby Mirzaie and Head of Lower School Heather Caponi and a meeting with Nikki Walker, NMAAM’s Director of Education & Programs. The three toured the museum with books and resources as they brainstormed essential questions and student learning goals. The collaboration expanded as Lower School Spanish, Library, and Art faculty contributed to the planning for this unit. Specials teachers and Grade 1 teachers also visited NMAAM, and each teacher on the collaborative team brought their own expertise and excitement to make the unit more meaningful.
