Artists have long used graphic representations and music to explore who they are and express that to the world. Both are wonderful tools for students to use, as well, which is why our Lower School Art Teacher Sarah Garner and Lower School Music Teacher Dr. Katy Nichols collaborated to create a social-emotional learning project for their students.
In art class, students created symbolic self-portraits by designing record album covers. They explored creating album art that is symbolic of more feelings or unique things about themselves that other people may not know or see. Garner encouraged them to brainstorm and sketch ideas to develop an album title, five song titles that represent them, and symbols that they could then design an album cover that has elements of art and design including composition, balance, overlapping, emphasis, repetition, and color.
In music, Dr. Nichols helped her students research songs that connect to their feelings. Each child chose a song that best represents themselves and/or the song they listen to most frequently. They wrote about why they chose their song, what it means to them, and how it makes them feel when they listen to it. They researched the performer, the composer, and the release date of the song. Students listened for musical elements such as the tempo, genre, and instrumentation of the song. Each student then created a presentation about “The Soundtrack of My Life” using a Google Slide template, learning how to insert a music video, how to create a descriptive link text, and other editing tools such as changing font and background colors.
Now that their presentations are finished, they are taking turns sharing with their classmates. The students choose their presentation days, and Dr. Nichols noted that “it was really cute that several of them were able to pick days to present on their birthdays and/or close to their birthdays.”
“The kids are very proud of their work,” she continued. “Ava H. ’32 presented on her birthday and was very excited to share Halle Bailee’s rendition of Part of Your World with her classmates. Dylan Y. ’32 presented The Haaland Song and was all smiles the entire time. He acted as the expert for his song choice and seemed very engaged with the presentation and his audience.”
“It’s been such fun collaborating with Sarah and seeing/hearing the children share about the social-emotional impact of music in their lives.”
What’s the song that best tells the story of you? If you need some advice figuring it out, ask one of our expert Beasley students!