Drawing Like Frida
December 9, 2008
This morning I walked into the gym and observed a class of third and fourth graders lying down, their heads supported by foam blocks, drawing self-portraits by looking in a small mirror. Slightly perplexed, I asked that most typical of Principal questions: “What are you doing and why?” Melia McKinley replied, “We’re drawing like Frida.” Frida is of course Frida Kahlo, the famed Mexican artist who sufferrred a debilitating spinal cord injury. Frida would lie in bed, enduring unimaginable pain, and draw. Frida’s haunting self-portraits inspire and fascinate. Students were experiencing what it might have been like to be Frida, by well…, being Frida!
Later this morning I came back to the gym and these same students were practicing for our all school Celebrate the Beat performance about Mexico. The 3-4 scene focuses on, of course, Frida Kahlo! Dance instructor Jennifer Box skillfully guided these young dancers through a complicated series of steps, over and over again. The goal was clearly to “practice it right.” The smiles were contagious and I soon found myself attempting the steps, with mixed results. (It’s hard work and you have to focus!)
Why are we doing this? There have been many studies recently about the human brain and how we learn. Current research using brain imaging technologies tell us what common sense has known for a long time. People learn best when their minds are challenged to make connections. To learn is to “draw a line” between what is known and new information. The more relevant information is, the more it is imbedded with meaning and context, the more enduring that learning becomes. If we learn in isolation, we forget. When we learn in a rich context, we remember. Richness and variety stimulate the brain. Combining several disciplines helps students to see the complexity and interconnected nature of learning. Students are drawing like Frida, dancing about Frida and experiencing what it is like to apply self-discipline and team work to create excellence.
Next Wednesday, December 17th we will be performing our all school dance. Shows are at 4:30 and 6:00. These performances are the icing on the cake, the result of two and a half weeks of practice, focus and hard work. Please join me in supporting our kids. I know you will enjoy the show.
