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WEEK of November 19, 2007
@BFS! archives

There Shall Be Music—The Lower School Sings

by Jackie Condie, Head of Lower School

On November 20, the entire Lower School and parents will gather together in the Quaker Meetinghouse at Schermerhorn Street for the annual Thanksgiving program. This is one of the highlights of the school year as we gather, first in communal silence, and then, directed by Piper Macleod, our very talented music teacher, we sing!

As part of the program, each grade level shows off a bit, singing a song they have worked on in music class. We sing in harmony, rounds, all together—even the parents get to participate. It is impossible to leave the program without feeling the strong sense of community that Brooklyn Friends creates for our children.

Building community, though, takes some doing—beginning in the classroom. Classroom teachers thoughtfully work with their students to create a sense of belonging. Teachers and students generate rules to live by. Meetings are used to solve problems, and children learn to listen respectfully to each other. Partnerships are encouraged, recognition of each others’ talents and achievements are applauded, and periods of silence help us listen to ourselves. And then, there’s singing!

Two to three times a month the Lower School gathers in the Upper Gym for our Lower School Sing. We form a tight circle (215 children and teachers). There is always a lot of excitement as the children joyously wave to old teachers and friends from other classrooms. When we are all seated, the fourth grade joins me as we signal the rest of the Lower School for silence. Piper usually gets us started with a song, but she is not the only one who can sing.

Kindergarten teacher Nancy Tanney leads “I’m a Thumb, I’m a Thumb.” Jill Fiengo and Laura Leopardo’s first graders stand and lead the Lower School in a rousing rendition of “Fish and Chips and Vinegar.” Third graders sing “1492” for us. Everyone joins in on the chorus. As we listen to the verses we learn a bit of history and about what it means to “discover” a place.

Songs about food are always popular. Third grade teacher Sarah Gordon and her class teach us a song about sandwiches, and the second graders sing about lunch (everyone eats lunch). We sing nonsense songs and “repeat after me” songs. Families of third graders may want to ask their children if they will sing the very funny song Susan Park taught us a few weeks ago. I even have a few old camp favorites I’ve led over the years.

In addition to singing together, our Lower School gatherings provide a wonderful opportunity to share community news. At the beginning of November, our second graders used sing time to kick off our annual Penny Harvest Drive. We use the sings to share poetry, class skits, and to celebrate important leaders and events. Staci Otto, P.E. teacher, even plans to do Tai Chi with the entire Lower School this winter!

Our sings grew out of a desire the faculty and I had to bring the children together more frequently to build a sense of community. I believe our sings do just that, and as an added bonus, they are fun too!

Photos: top—the first grade leads a song in the upper gym; below—first graders practice a song for the Thanksgiving program