Events
Curriculum Enrichment Programs
Through the generous support of Broadmeadow parents, the PTC raises money to enhance our children's educational experience. The following list shows some of the many programs that are offered to Broadmeadow students throughout the school year. If you are interested in working on the committee that helps select these programs, please contact the Curriculum Enrichment chairperson.
***Teachers: Please use the Curriculum Enrichment Teacher Survey to provide feedback on performances to the PTC. After completing the survey, please put it in the pink folder in the Curriculum Enrichment mailbox on the top shelf of the office mailboxes. ***
Enrichment Programs (2012-2013)
Kindergarten
Dancy Nancy - In January, February and March, Nancy Krieger will be presenting all kindergarteners with dance and movement sessions. They will explore movement in their bodies and their lives. The joy of dance will be experienced as the students warm up and move through fundamentals of dance, motor planning, patterns, and try on the rhythms of international music.
Birgit WeWeerd, Beekeeper - Birgit is committed to expanding the understanding of, and the respect for, the importance of honeybees in our environment. To share her substantial knowledge, Birgit has developed a series of demonstration programs for both children and adults. Topics cover the social interactions of honeybees, pollen and nectar collection activities, honey productions, and the evolution of beekeeping from medieval times to the 21st century. Visual aids include posters, beekeeping equipment, a beehive, insect samples. Special emphasis is put on the difference between wasps and bees and how to behave in their presence.
First Grade
Brian Lies - In April, New York Times best-selling children's book author and illustrator Brian Lies offers students fun-filled insights into the the world of a professional writer and illustrator. Brian's high-energy presentation answers such questions as, How does a book happen? Where do ideas come from? How do you start writing and illustrating? How can you make your "sloppy copies" better? The program includes views of sketchbooks and Brian's own childhood drawings and ends with a drawing demonstration based on student input.
Chinese Ribbon Dancing - In May, Chiao Bin Huang, an award-winning performing artist, will perform traditional Chinese ribbon dancing. Students will also have the hands-on opportunity to dance with the colorful silk ribbons while listening to music of Chinese melodies.
Museum of Science Lifecycles Program - New this year, a traveling program from the Museum of Science will work with first graders in May to enhance their science unit on lifecycles.
Second Grade
Jacqueline Davies - Author of the popular books "The Lemonade War" and "The Lemonade Crime", Jacqueline Davies will visit all second grade classrooms in October.
Afro-Haitian Dance Residency - In January, Frank Louizia, a performing artist from Young Audiences, will be teaching Afro-Haitian dances to 2nd graders in a 6-week long residency. This program will complement the 2nd grade social studies curriculum. After the weekly workshops, the 2nd graders will put on a performance of the dances they learned for grades K-3 in February.
Museum of Science Magnet Program - New this year, a traveling program from the Museum of Science will work with second graders in February to enhance their science unit on magnetism.
Third Grade
Magic of Maps - In December, third graders will attend a performance to learn all about maps, their history, their story and their creation. Afterwards, they attend classroom cartography workshops to discover boundaries, physical features, Native American settlements and more! Each child will create their own map of Needham to take home.
David Coffin - In February, David talks about different types of recorders, how they make their sounds, and plays them to illustrate his point. His entertaining presentation covers the history of the recorder from the primitive ocarina and the newly discovered Paleolithic bone-flute, through medieval gems horns, to the refined recorders of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. With his complete set of beautifully crafted instruments, David demonstrates period examples of music written for each particular instrument. He illustrates with humor and vitality the evolution of the Early Winds.
Techsploration - In May, Techsploration will be visiting with our third graders for four workshops to teach them about electricity. The program will include an assembly as well as workshops.
Fourth Grade
Potato Hill Poetry - In March, Andrew Green will visit each fourth grade classroom to conduct exercises in metaphor, observation, rhythm, narrative, and collaboration which serve to stimulate student poetry writing. It also gives the teachers new ideas and perspectives on teaching poetry. Potato Hill Poetry will provide a very practical, hands-on approach to teaching and writing poetry.
Origamido - In December, Michael Lafosse will use the ancient art of paper folding to explore geometric concepts with students. Parents can learn more about Origamido at http://www.origamido.com.
Native Museum Teacher from Plimoth Plantation - a presenter from Plimoth Plantation will give an in-depth exploration of daily life of the Wampanoag people in the 17th century. They will show colorful slides, pass around reproduction artifacts and facilitate classroom activities to bring to life the seasonal ways of the Wampanoag people. The museum teacher will dress in modern clothing and speak from a modern perspective so that she can discuss the story of her people in both the past and the present.
Fifth Grade
Origamido - In December, Michael Lafosse will use the ancient art of paper folding to explore geometric concepts with students. Parents can learn more about Origamido at http://www.origamido.com.
Living Voices - In April, a performer from Living Voices will share the journey of The New American, from the turmoil of the old country, to the promise of America. The immigrant journey includes the steamship passage of 1910, the path through Ellis Island, and the sweatshops of the lower east side of Manhattan. Students will learn what American liberty and opportunity means to people around the world.
School-Wide
Travis Roy - Travis Roy will be speaking to all grades to kick off our 2012-2013 Disability Awareness program. Mr. Roy was a Boston University hockey player who, in the first minute of his very first collegiate game in October of 1995, suffered a terrible injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down. He will speak to our students about overcoming adversity and staying true to one's goals. This program was made possible by a grant from the Needham Education Foundation and the PTC Disability Awareness committee.
Bill Harley - Author/Musician Bill Harley will perform many of his songs and stories for all grades as part of the book fair week in November. Harley is a two-time Grammy award-winning artist who uses song and story to paint a vibrant and hilarious picture of growing up, schooling and family life. He is a longtime commentator for NPR's news program, "All Things Considered" and a recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the RI Council for the Humanities. His performance was made possible by a grant from the Needham Education Foundation.
Made in the Shade - The Jazz group, Made in the Shade, will be performing for all grades in December. The students will be taken on a musical journey through the world of Jazz, from its roots in both African and European music to the present day. The group will be performing in all Needham elementary schools. These performances have been supported by a grant from the Needham Education Foundation and by the Needham Creative Arts Council, which includes all school PTCs. “Made In The Shade” will be back in Needham for a “Mardi Gras” concert on Feb. 1, 2013, so save the date!
Grace Lin - Author/Illustrator Grace Lin will be visiting all grades in April. The author and illustrator of well-known books such as The Ugly Vegetables and The Year of the Dog will be working with each classroom to discuss how a book is made from start to finish and how her stories are developed using a mix of fact and fiction. Classes will have the opportunity to purchase signed copies of Grace's books.
Tanglewood Marionettes - In a special performance for the whole school to coincide with Field Day, the Tanglewood Marionettes will be visiting Broadmeadow to perform. This amazing performance has been sponsored by the PTC and will feature beautiful hand-crafted marionettes, scrolling sets, exotic music, and much, much, more.
Enrichment Programs (2011-2012)
Kindergarten
Dancy Nancy - Nancy Krieger will be presenting all kindergarteners with dance and movement sessions. They will explore movement in their bodies and their lives. The joy of dance will be experienced as the students warm up and move through fundamentals of dance, motor planning, patterns, and try on the rhythms of international music.
Greg Hildreth - Greg will work with both the Mitchell and Broadmeadow kindergarten classes on a drama workshop. The children will act out the characters in a story.
First Grade
Chinese Ribbon Dancing - Chiao Bin Huang, an award-winning performing artist, will perform traditional Chinese ribbon dancing. Students will also have the hands-on opportunity to dance with the colorful silk ribbons while listening to music of Chinese melodies.
Meteorologist - Jack Creilson will visit the first graders who are learning about weather.
Brian Lies - Brian, who is the author/illustrator of “Bats at the Ballgame” and other popular children’s books, will speak about the writing/illustrating process, encouraging the students to develop their best creative work while reminding them that success requires perseverance. Mr. Lies will create a drawing based on the input of the students; this drawing will stay with the classes as a reminder of their lesson.
Second Grade
Indian Classical Dance* - All second grade students will participate in an Indian Classical Dance program. This special program to promote diversity and cross-cultural understanding was funded by a grant from the Needham Education Foundation. The children will participate in five workshops, each class learning a different Indian Classical Dance. The event will culminate in a final performance on February 7th for grades K through 3 and 2nd grade grown-ups. The program also includes grades 1 and 3 to create artwork for the final performance.
Norah Dooley - Norah will lead students on an enthusiastic journey about the bookmaking process and, most importantly, encouraging the students to tell and write their own stories in her program Everyone Has a Story. She will hold a writer's workshop for each classroom, helping each child to learn how to express themselves in their writing. Norah Dooley is a critically acclaimed storyteller and children’s author whose books, Everybody Cooks Rice, Everybody Bakes Bread, and Everybody Serves Soup, teach about the commonalities that bring us together.
Third Grade
David Kelly - author of the Ballpark Mysteries series, will be visiting the third grade. He will be doing workshops with each class to help students learn about the writing and editing process.
Techsploration - will be visiting with our third graders for four workshops to teach them about electricity. The program will include an assembly as well as workshops.
David Coffin - David will visit the third and fifth graders. Third graders will be treated to an entertaining musical history of the recorder and fifth graders will learn about life at sea during colonial times through songs and storytelling.
Fourth Grade
Potato Hill Poetry - Andrew Green will visit each fourth grade classroom to conduct exercises in metaphor, observation, rhythm, narrative, and collaboration which serve to stimulate student poetry writing. It also gives the teachers new ideas and perspectives on teaching poetry. Potato Hill Poetry will provide a very practical, hands-on approach to teaching and writing poetry.
Origamido - Michael Lafosse will use the ancient art of paper folding to explore geometric concepts with students. Parents can learn more about Origamido at http://www.origamido.com.
Native Museum Teacher from Plimoth Plantation - a presenter from Plimoth Plantation will give an in-depth exploration of daily life of the Wampanoag people in the 17th century. They will show colorful slides, pass around reproduction artifacts and facilitate classroom activities to bring to life the seasonal ways of the Wampanoag people. The museum teacher will dress in modern clothing and speak from a modern perspective so that she can discuss the story of her people in both the past and the present.
Fifth Grade
David Coffin - David will visit the third and fifth graders. Third graders will be treated to an entertaining musical history of the recorder and fifth graders will learn about life at sea during colonial times through songs and storytelling.
Living Voices - A performer from Living Voices will share the journey of The New American, from the turmoil of the old country, to the promise of America. The immigrant journey includes the steamship passage of 1910, the path through Ellis Island, and the sweatshops of the lower east side of Manhattan. Students will learn what American liberty and opportunity means to people around the world.
Barbara Newman - Barbara, a local author and illustrator of many children's books will visit with fifth graders.
School-Wide
Flame* - A rock band made up of 10 people with developmental/physical disabilities, including autism, down's syndrome and blindness, will perform for all grades. The bandwas formed in 2003 in upstate New York. The profound effect on audiences has spread and the band now averages 70 performances a year and has been on "Good Morning America". This performance is funded by the NEF, NCOD, and the PTC Disability Awareness and Curriculum Enrichment committees.
Halau o Keikiali’I* - A Hawaiian cultural and dance group based in San Francisco, will visit Needham elementary schools. In their program “Dancing with the Past”, they will introduce students to the ancient and modern forms of Hawaiian hula dance and music. Through their art form, they will teach about the culture and history of the Hawaiian people, and how dance is used to tell their history. This program is sponsored by the Needham Creative Arts Council and supported by a grant from the Needham Education Foundation.
Tanglewood Marionettes - In a special performance for the whole school to coincide with Field Day, the Tanglewood Marionettes will be visiting Broadmeadow to perform Hansel & Gretel. This amazing performance has been sponsored by the PTC and will feature beautiful hand-crafted marionettes, scrolling sets, exotic music, and much, much, more.
Enrichment Programs (2010-2011)
Kindergarten
Dancy Nancy - Nancy Krieger will be presenting all Kindergarteners dance andmovement sessions. They will explore movement in their bodies and their lives. The joy of dance will be experienced as the students warm up and move through fundamentals of dance, motor planning, patterns, and try on the rhythms of international music.
David Biedrzycki* - Kindergarteners will receive a visit from author/illustrator David Biedrzycki. Mr. Biedrzycki's program is technology-based and shows students his techniques of writing, researching and illustrating through a colorful, fast-moving presentation. He also creates digital art for the students in a simple step by step exercise.
First Grade
Kevin Lemanowicz - Fox25 Meteorologist Kevin Lemanowicz will visit the first grade classrooms. This visit ties into the first grade science curriculum on air, seasons and climate.
Brian Lies* - Brian, who is the author/illustrator of “Bats at the Ballgame” and other popular children’s books, will speak about the writing/illustrating process, encouraging the students to develop their best creative work while reminding them that success requires perseverance.
Second Grade
Chinese Ribbon Dancing* - Throughout January, Chiao Bin Huang will be conducting workshops on Chinese culture for all second grade classes. One class will learn a Chinese ribbon dance, another martial arts, another a lion dance and another a play. On February 2nd, the 2nd graders will demonstrate what they learned for Kindergarten, 1st and 3rd graders in a Chinese New Year celebration and performance. This exciting program was arranged by the PTC Curriculum Enrichment committee with funding from the Needham Education Foundation (NEF).
Jacqueline Davies* - local author Jacqueline will visit the second graders to help them understand what professional writers do all day.
Third Grade
Eleanor Rosellini - Local author Eleanor Rosellini will speak about the experiences that inspired her Hidden Treasure Mysteries, a series featuring a brother-and-sister detective team who hunt for long-lost treasures. She will bring a suitcase full of family memories to share, as a way to spark children’s interest in discovering and writing about their own special family treasures. Emphasis is on expanding the concept of family treasures to include not only objects, but also stories, recipes, and customs.
David Coffin - David will visit the third and fifth graders. Third graders will be treated to an entertaining musical history of the recorder and fifth graders will learn about life at sea during colonial times through songs and storytelling.
Techsploration - Techsploration will be visiting with our third graders to teach them about electricity. The program will include an assembly as well as workshops.
Fourth Grade
Origamido - Michael Lafosse will work with all of the fourth grade classes at Broadmeadow. Michael will use the ancient art of paper folding to explore geometric concepts with students. Parents can learn more about Origamido at http://www.origamido.com.
Potato Hill Poetry - Andrew Green will visit the fourth grade classrooms. Potato Hill unites a community of readers and writers willing to play with words and explore the power and mystery of language. The workshops are designed to promote the sometimes far-fetched notion that poetry belongs to us all.
Native Museum Teacher from Plimoth Plantation - A presenter from Plimoth Plantation will give an in-depth exploration of daily life of the Wampanoag people in the 17th century. A Native museum teacher will show colorful slides, pass around reproduction artifacts and facilitate classroom activities to bring to life the seasonal ways of the Wampanoag people. The museum teacher will dress in modern clothing and speak from a modern perspective so that she can discuss the story of her people in both the past and the present.
Fifth Grade
David Coffin - David will visit the third and fifth graders. Third graders will be treated to an entertaining musical history of the recorder and fifth graders will learn about life at sea during colonial times through songs and storytelling.
Living Voices - A performer from Living Voices will share the journey of The New American, from the turmoil of the old country, to the promise of America. The immigrant journey includes the steamship passage of 1910, the path through Ellis Island, and the sweatshops of the lower east side of Manhattan. Students will learn what American liberty and opportunity means to people around the world.
School-Wide
Ball in the House* - Ball in the House (BITH), a nationally renowned a cappella group, will perform for all grades. This presentation is made possible by donations from the NEF and the Broadmeadow PTC.
Dancing Wheels* - Dancing Wheels, a physically integrated dance company (wheelchair and "stand up" dancers) will perform for all grades. Since 1980, the mission of Dancing Wheels is to educate, integrate and employ people with and without disabilities in the arts through outreach activities, public performances and advocacy. This performance is made possible by donations from the NEF and the Broadmeadow PTC Disability Awareness and Curriculum Enrichment committees.
Tanglewood Marionettes - In a special performance for the whole school to coincide with Field Day, the Tanglewood Marionettes will be visiting Broadmeadow to perform their most lavish production, Perseus and Medusa. Students will take a trip back in time to the dawn of civilization, to an ancient world of gods, goddesses, prophecies, and heroes. This amazing performance has been sponsored by the PTC and will feature beautiful hand-crafted marionettes, scrolling sets, exotic music, and much, much, more.
* Funded in part by the Needham Education Foundation
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