St. Martin Parish

Introduction to Slam Poetry (5-12)

by Mandy McGee | Alex PoeticSoul Johnson, High School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Literary Arts, Middle School, Short-Term Residency, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

This workshop introduces students to the art of competitive slam poetry, where the point is not the points… It’s the words.

Days 1 & 2: Students will be presented with examples of slam-appropriate performance poems, given prompts, and will work on their own creations. Chances to rehearse or get feedback will be included.

Day 3: It’s slam time! Students will be scored by their teachers or peers based on their performance and poem. Win or lose, the students take the poems, the memories, and the skill with them!

Exploring Erasure Poetry (5-12)

by Mandy McGee | Alex PoeticSoul Johnson, Elementary School, High School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Literary Arts, Middle School, Single Session, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish

There is a reason erasure poetry is also called “blackout poetry.” Erasure poetry is not about starting from a blank page, but about taking a page or poem that is already created and blacking things out. What does not get erased becomes the new poem. It’s conceptual, it’s creative, and it leaves a visual statement. Students in this workshop will learn about erasure poetry through analyzing examples. Then, they will create their own erasure poem…and visual art in the process.

Free Your Mind (4-12)

by Mandy McGee | Alex PoeticSoul Johnson, Elementary School, High School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Literary Arts, Middle School, Single Session, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Spontaneous, unscripted, and supportive – those 3 words describe a freestyle poetry circle. In this session, students participate in such a circle and have a both literary and an SEL experience. Workshop goals: encourage students to control their thoughts, think strategically and accept themselves. Poetic inspiration included? Absolutely!

Music, Imagination, and Storytelling (PK-12)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Andrea Kapell Loewy, Elementary School, High School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Music, Single Session, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

What does the imagination sound like? Classes can explore that in this multi-sensory, cross-curricular workshop. Students will learn how the sounds of the flute can be used to evoke stories with various moods and feelings. Andrea will perform several pieces from many different eras and cultures (including the French impressionism/embedded-story style as well as the Bossa Nova dance style of Brazil). Students will engage in a meaningful discussion and be supported in describing how the imagination creates stories and expressing the feelings evoked by the pieces. This richly-textured activity incorporates music, social-emotional learning, spoken word/aural stories, and language arts.

The Magic of the Flute Family – Music and Emotions (PK-8)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Andrea Kapell Loewy, Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Music, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

A cross-curricular and multi-sensory session is coming your way! In this “magic” lesson, students will learn about the various instruments of the flute family, will engage in a discussion about sound, acoustics, as well as how various sounds affect mood, and will examine the links between imagination and emotion. Then, students will be guided in creating a narrative where each instrument and its sound takes a role. The takeaway? This activity incorporates music, social-emotional learning, and the spoken word. When studying sound, a dash of math and science will be thrown in.

Self-Expression through Music & Art (PK-8)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Andrea Kapell Loewy, Elementary School, High School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music, Single Session, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish, Visual Art

A visual representation of sound and imagination! Flute music from various time periods, cultures, colors, and contrasting styles will form the foundation of this session. Students will listen to the music and then engage in drawing exercises to express the imagined stories and moods the music inspired. The students will show the drawings at the end and will describe and analyze the stories and feelings evoked. This cross-curricular confection combines music, visual arts, the spoken word, language arts, and social-emotional learning. This activity is also adaptable for Special Education.

Dot Zines (2-6)

by Mandy McGee | Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Literary Arts, Margaret Simon, Middle School, Single Session, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish, Visual Art

Combine creativity with writing! Classes will read and discuss the picture book The Dot by Peter Reynolds. Then, students will create their own dot and make it a foldable book with poetic language.

Heart Maps (1-6)

by Mandy McGee | Elementary School, Holidays, Iberia Parish, Literary Arts, Margaret Simon, Middle School, Single Session, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish, Visual Art

What do you love? And can you express that love in a poem? In this session, students will create a heart map with drawings and words about the things that they love (including sensory loves, rituals, nature, objects, nonhuman companions, etc). Then, their visuals will become words of wonder when they turn their heart maps into a single poem about the things that make their hearts sing.

Dancing with a Paintbrush (2-6)

by Mandy McGee | Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Literary Arts, Margaret Simon, Middle School, Single Session, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish, Visual Art

It’s a multi-faceted artistic fusion! Students will listen to a variety of music and feel the mood by “dancing with a paintbrush.” But don’t stop there – each image will become inspiration for writing as well. Students will refine their word choice, incorporate metaphor, and make a masterpiece.

The History of African Americans in Louisiana through Music (9-12)

by Mandy McGee | Ado Soul, Art History, High School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, Mini-Presentation, Music, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Get ready for a musical feast and a historical journey! Journey from the vibrant rhythms of jazz to the soulful melodies of blues in this session that delves into the rich cultural heritage that has shaped American music today. Through a listening session and discussion, students will learn about the struggles and triumphs of African Americans in Louisiana and how their experiences have been reflected in the music they created. Groups will examine the influence of slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Great Migration on the development of musical genres such as gospel, zydeco, and hip-hop. When it is time to get hands-on, students will also have the opportunity to create their own musical projects inspired by the history and traditions of Louisiana’s African American community.

ADDITIONAL ARTS IN EDUCATION RESOURCES