Classroom news

Stage 2 - CAPA

In Stage 2, we have been exploring musical storytelling through Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf.  We’ve learned that every character has a "musical name tag" called a leitmotif, where specific instruments, such as the fluttery flute for the bird or the "brassy" French horns for the wolf, represent their unique personalities. Our learning goes beyond just listening; we are integrating music, drama and dance to bring the story to life. We have practiced character walks using body language to show the difference between a "sneaky" cat and a "grumpy" grandfather and we’ve identified instruments we could use to compose our own forest soundscapes using classroom objects. By layering these artistic languages together, we are discovering how to tell a complete narrative without needing any words at all.

We have also been busy exploring "The Narrative Canvas," a Visual Arts unit focused on how different cultures tell complex stories through "frozen" images. We began by investigating Aboriginal Australian iconography, using traditional symbols like circles and U-shapes to tell the story of our family. We then travelled to Japan to create continuous scrolls (Emaki), where we practiced dividing a story into three parts to show the passage of time and movement. Most recently, we have been crafting Mexican Retablos, or "votive paintings," on silver "tin" paper. These vibrant artworks depict "close calls" and "heroes," using bright colors and captions to capture dramatic moments of rescue and bravery. Through these lessons, we are learning to use symbols, composition and media to share powerful narratives without needing words. At the end of this unit we will create artworks using the skills and knowledge we have gained to enter in the NERAM UNESAP art competition to be held later this year.