Seven Arrows Elementary School celebrated a semester of integrated social studies, English, research, music and fine/visual arts by holding its 15th annual Masquerade Festival on March 8 in the Palisades Recreation Center’s small gym.
“Our Festival is the embodiment of deep, relevant and impassioned learning,” said head of school Margarita Pagliai. “I never cease to be amazed each year by the quality of each child’s culminating efforts. Each performance this year was powerful, moving and creative.”
The process starts in the classroom in September as students work on a global cultural history curriculum. Each grade level works with a different time period: kindergartners study the Stone Age; first graders learn about gods and goddesses from early civilization; second graders work with material about Native Americans, Aztecs, Incas and Mayans; third graders student study medieval times: fourth graders investigate the Renaissance; fifth graders examine significant Americans; and sixth graders research ancient civilizations.
In December, each student chooses a historical character specific to his or her studies and researches it further. During art, they draw the character and the clothing, which ultimately becomes the costume they wear at Masquerade. Parents are asked to help sew the costume, based on the child’s drawing, which helps to forge the parent-child bond.
Students learn songs centering on the period they study, sing and then play instruments to accompany themselves. A parent band featuring Star Parodi, Jeff Fair, John Schimmel and Neil Kaplan accompanied children on the songs and provided a musical segue for the performance.
Gym walls were covered with 12-ft. drapes, and posters containing student artwork and written research was hung on the drapery-like material. The stage, now well lit, was transformed and extended onto the basketball floor. Each student then gave a brief history about his/her character.
“The class as a whole tells the audience about that time period,” said Pagliai. “This is a spiritual ceremony acknowledging individuality, but also the power of the group.”
Second grader Henry Hamm, who played Chac, the Mayan rain god, said, “I am the god of weather. I let it rain, so corn can grow.”
“I am handsome, but cruel,” said first grader Sloan Fergin, who played Ares. “I was captured by two giants and put in a jar.”
Said kindergarten student Micaela Lopez: “I am a mammoth. My teeth are three feet long, which is just the size of Micaela, which is me.”
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
