First-graders give special people a KISS
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Stadium Drive music teacher Dan Wilson (right) donned sunglasses and a fedora as he played guitar during a jazzy song performed by the school’s first-graders. The selection was part of the student’s “Kids Invite Someone Special” day on March 22.
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .First-grader Kendall Calabria (left) joined her pal Rebekah Bader (right) and her grandma Elaine Bader (center) to share a smile during Stadium Drive’s KISS Day on March 22.
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Stadium Drive student teacher Ali Pabrinkas (left) helped a group of first-graders sing a math song during “Kids Invite Someone Special” day on March 22.
By SARAH FOOR
Parents, relatives and friends of Stadium Drive first-graders enjoyed a KISS concert, but there was no sign of the famous ‘70s rockers.
Instead, on March 22, KISS stood for “Kids Invite Someone Special.” The first-graders celebrated special guests with a fun concert hosted by music teacher Dan Wilson and assistant teacher Ali Pabrinkas.
Wilson used the concert to share with guests what the first-graders are learning in music class.
“We’re trying to teach the kids to be good listeners and good singers, and giving them space to explore their voices. We like to use music as a way to learn, so we’ve been singing songs about safety, math, reading and the history of America,” Wilson explained.
The students then shared some of their learning songs, including a tune where the first-graders showed they could count to 100 by increments of two, five and 10.
Wilson and Pabrinkas showed how the students can read rhythm symbols during one performance.
“We’re trying to teach the students to be musically literate. In Boardman, we have a great tradition of music education and I think that starts right here in the elementary schools,” Wilson said.
After the KISS concert, first-graders met up with their special people and brought them to their classrooms. The students presented their guests with an art project.
“Our projects include a photo of each student in the center of a flower, with a poem that urges parents to appreciate each moment. At this age, the kids grow up so fast, so we wanted to help capture who they are now,” said first-grade teacher Lindsey Koch.
The classroom visits offered the duos a chance to show their appreciation for one another.
“My granddaughter is the light of my life. She’s why I get up in the morning,” said Elaine Bader about her first-grade granddaughter Rebekah.
“My grandma is special because I love her,” Rebekah Bader said of her special person.