A Look Back On Assemblies

La Mariposa students enjoyed two assemblies performed by Razzle Bam Boom this year.

200 Years of American Music 

In late February, the duo took the students on a musical journey spanning the last two centuries throughout different parts of the United States.

Students learned that they are already familiar with a lot of American composers, such as Stephen Foster. This musician is known as the “father of American music” because he composed more than 200 catchy songs during the 1800s that are still enjoyed today. Two popular examples of his music are “Camptown Races” and “Oh, Susana.”

Razzle Bam Boom also showed students how American music has been influenced by people who have moved here from Mexico, Canada, Europe, and Africa. Blues and jazz have their roots from Africa while  Zydeco is a blend of African influences and Cajun music, which came from French Canadian immigrants who moved to Louisiana.

Students got a taste of Country Western music and Hawaiian music as well as some folksy Bob Dylan and the always popular King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Razzle Bam Boom ended both assemblies by getting teachers and even Mr. Greenlinger to come and dance to the always popular tune of “YMCA.”

The Character Show

In late March, Obediah, from Razzle Bam Boom, returned to La Mariposa to perform the “Character Counts!” show. He played his trumpet and used catchy song lyrics, funny skits, juggling tricks and audience participation to explain the “Six Pillars of Character” to students. He used “Terrific” as an acronym to help students remember: Trustworthiness, Responsibility, Respect, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.

Obediah also addressed bullying, and how students should focus on caring for each other, and not let perceived differences get in the way. Stay tuned to La Mariposa’s weekly email blasts and the school website to find out more about next year’s assemblies – planning is under way for another great set of fun and enriching educational performances for La Mariposa students!

Special thanks to PTA Assembly Chair, Dorothy Hanchey, for arranging this year’s assemblies.

 

Musician John Adair Visits La Mariposa

John Adair and his banjo.

Over the last week or so, La Mariposa has been treated to an interactive music assembly by John Adair and our own music teacher, Mrs. Lorenzo.  Rather than having half the school meet for an assembly, only a couple classes participated at a time.  Mr. Adair brought along a number of chordophones, or stringed instruments.  He explained each instrument by
talking about its parts and how the size, shape, and materials an instrument is made from affects the sound it makes.  Then he played the instruments while Mrs. Lorenzo lead the kids in singing American folk songs.  Students were introduced to a ukelele, mandolin, banjo, fiddle/violin, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass guitar.

Flying ‘Wright’ & Following Your Dreams: The Wright Brothers Assembly

La Mariposa students learned about the Wright Brothers in the last PTA-sponsored assembly of the year. The musical duo Razzle Bam Boom incorporated fun songs and memorable characters in this musical history lesson which culminated in the construction of a model of the original “Flyer” aircraft with a 20 foot wingspan.

Performer Uses Humor to Build Character

Did your child come home miming or talking about chairs recently?  That’s because on the first Friday of February La Mariposa students were treated to great show.  During two separate assemblies, one for kinder to 2nd grade students and another for 3rd to 5th grade students, entertainer Cary Trivanovich used his amazing and hilarious pantomime to draw the kids in for a very important message:

“Choosing Character Over Bullying”

Bullying has become a hot topic in the last few years and something that schools and districts are actively addressing.  Providing an anti-bullying assembly was on the PTA’s list of things to do this year.  What is so wonderful about Carey’s message is that it not only points out negative behaviors, but also shows kids how they should aspire to act.  This message is especially poignant because Cary shares what it feels like to be picked on and the difference it made in his life when kids treated him with kindness and respect.  In this way, he is able to give kids a something to live up to.

So what’s the deal with the chairs?  During his presentation, Cary uses chairs as a metaphor to symbolize the  opportunity each and every one of us has to make an impression on others.  A first chair person is encouraging and kind, selfless and inspiring, accepting–someone who you always remember because they drove you to be better and you felt good about yourself just being around them.  First chairs make the people around them feel great by uplifting others, getting involved, and being a positive influence.  A second chair person is one of those people who for whatever reason, doesn’t leave a mark on your life.  These people  seem nice, but don’t make much effort and are therefore unmemorable.  With so many people in the world we are all bound to be someone’s second chair person, even if we are first chair to many.  Finally there is the third chair person–we all remember someone like this growing up.  These people were mean, immature, selfish, and not fun to be around.  They might put others down or be outright bullies.  All of this leads to the question each student should be asking themselves…what chair do I want to be?

If you’d like to learn more about Cary Trivanovich here are a few links:

• Flagship Website
• Bio
• Video

Special thanks to PTA Assemblies chair Dorothy Hanchey for arranging all our assemblies this year and to Mr. Ben for always making sure the MPR is ready to go, even when we go from Abilities Awareness Week to Talent Show to an Assembly in the span of 24 hours.

Metales, M5 Mexican Brass Band Visits La Mariposa

On Wednesday, November 2nd, our students were treated to a musical journal filled with comedy and great music. Metales M5 MEXICAN BRASS unites classical and world music, contemporary repertoire and pops arrangements in programs that range through the brass literature and beyond.  These five young musicians break the barriers of musical genres as they take the Blues to the Opera and Bach to the roads of Michoacán.

Metales showed our kids how brass instruments work by playing a garden hose They answered questions like “Why does a piccolo trumpet sound so high” and “What is the difference between a Canon and a Fugue” and “Why does German folk music does sound so Mexican”…?  Musicians played a trumpet, tuba, French horn and trombone and many other instruments as well as spent time talking to students in between the assembly.   

Video