Published for the Arts Based School Community
December 10, 2020
How We Do It and Why
by Mary Siebert
“I am still learning.” – Michelangelo
Third grade students study the Italian Renaissance as part of an exploration of innovation and its power to initiate change. They study the solar system and body systems through the art of Leonardo DaVinci, who helped create breakthroughs in those scientific fields. The artist and his work are introduced in both art and the classroom. Italy is located on a world map; Leonardo’s biography is explored. Students study Leonardo’s scientific precision in drawing the muscular and skeletal systems, and inventions. Music of Monteverdi, a superstar composer of the late Renaissance, will be incorporated, and the young musicians will present a three-part Renaissance tune playing their recorders, hand drums, and bells. In art class, they learned to use vanishing point and perspective in drawing, as Leonardo did. They are also working on drawings reminiscent of the original inventions of DaVinci, their own imagined flying machines. In dance, the posture and traditional movements of Renaissance dance and portraiture are studied for a grand entrance to our performance.
During the Italian Renaissance, exquisite, miniature presentations were developed to be performed between the acts of a play. These “Intermezzi” became more popular than the plays, themselves, and eventually gave birth to opera. Intermezzi were lavishly produced portrayals of Greek myths and other stories, in which performers posed progressive scenes in fluid tableaux. Leonardo DaVinci designed elaborate stage mechanisms for the Medici family’s Intermezzi, dazzling the wealthy at celebratory events.
Mr. Brown and Ms. Heidi are just beginning to work with parents and students on creation of a digital Zoom Intermezzo incorporating the Greek myth “Jason and the Golden Fleece.” Parents picked up costumes and kits for prop-building at Monday’s materials exchange. For the video, we will experiment with incorporating photos of our beautiful sets designed and painted by Ms. Gledhill. The student-built props will be based on designs by Ms. Christian and Ms. Gledhill. The story, pre-recorded three years ago at Ovation Sound, will be our guide during the pantomime. All third-grade students are working with Ms. Heidi on gesture, posture, and facial expression and movement designed to fit within the Zoom borders. The 3rd graders’ drawings of their flying machine inventions will be incorporated into the final product.
This constellation of connections is made possible by the ongoing, detailed cooperation of classroom and specialist teachers. The result was summed up for me by a third-grader’s comment, years ago: “Ms. Siebert,” he said, “I think this school is a Renaissance school.” I asked him why. “Because,” he answered, “we learn about things by using everything. Math, science, reading, and all of the arts.”
Special Guests for Kindergarten’s Peter and the Wolf !
We are excited to announce two guest artists who will perform with our Kindergarten students in our digital version of Peter and the Wolf, to be filmed via Zoom with our children in January.
Jackson Calhoun will lead the pack of Kindergarten Wolves. Jackson is a professional dancer with Richmond Ballet, a graduate of UNCSA and a graduate of The Arts Based School.
Julian Pecoraro is also a graduate of The Arts Based School, and he can be seen in the role of the Prince in UNCSA’s video version of The Nutcracker, which premieres this weekend. He will lead our Kindergarten crew of children who appear as Peter.
Kindergarten parents will be able to pick up their students’ costumes on Monday, January 11.
Renaissance Costumes - Thank you, Volunteers!
Thanks to the army of volunteers who sewed costumes for our 3rd Grade Renaissance Spectacles! This week we sent home a costume to each of our sixty students!
ReOpening School Plans
Based on the rising number of COVID infections in our community, the Arts Based School Board of Directors voted unanimously to stay in Remote Learning-Plan C until January 25, 2021.The Board will consider the options again on January 12.
How Do I Stay Up to Date with School ReOpening Plans?
We’re doing our best to keep ABS families, staff and community updated with the latest information about our School ReOpening. We will continue to provide information in multiple places, including direct email, Thursday Notes and Virtual Parent Meetings. If you have specific topics, or questions, please send them to us at this form so we can be sure to address them. Form to submit questions
Parent Council Meeting - Friday, December 11th at 12:00 PM
We invite all parents, caregivers, and learning coaches to join us tomorrow for our Parent Council Meeting. The agenda can be found here. Please submit any additional questions or topics you would like to discuss via our parent council link or contact us directly. You can join the meeting via an invite emailed from Principal Hollis on December 9th.
2021-22 School Calendar
As we look forward to a more “normal” year, the ABS Student Calendar is being drafted to be considered for Board approval. Please email ([email protected]) me with any feedback or input you would like to be considered as we work on this draft.
School Calendar Considerations
- 180 days of instruction
- Major breaks coincide with WS/FC schools
- Trimester system allows teacher workdays to coincide with parent/teacher conferences
- Begin school year earlier than WS/FC school to secure enrollment and fill from waiting list
- Snow Make up days are built into calendar throughout the school year
- Gather input from teachers, staff, and parents