For the Annual Winter Program this past December the eighth grade worked with Billy Goodrum, acclaimed composer and musician, to create a totally unique originally composed song. In songwriting workshops students composed the melody and rhythm as well as wrote their very own lyrics, like the beautiful chorus: “Let the love shine through, it’s a chain reaction; spread the love and take some action.” The grounded rhythm combined with the wise lyrics make for a heart opening and catchy song. Thank you, Billy, for your help in guiding our students’ natural creativity into musical form.
Imagine, if you will, a creative competition that allows students to express themselves artistically, physically, emotionally, spiritually – basically, this expression is in alignment with Rainbow’s Seven domains of child development.
Now imagine the pressure of performing for judges, parents and against other schools.
Add to it elements of the creative problem students tackled that students had to include, or otherwise they’d lose points.
Coaches were allowed to advise and guide the teams, but the students had to do all the work. In fact, they had to sign a contract saying that they would not accept outside help as they worked through their projects.
This year at Rainbow, there was so much interest in Odyssey of the Mind or OOTM!
Creative Problem Solving
We started out with four teams in grades 6-8 – they were considered Division II. When it came time to go to competition, we ultimately had two teams that headed to Enka High School to compete against area schools.
There are two parts to the competition. There is the “spontaneous” problem where students get a question and have to answer creatively. The more creative they can be, the more points they can get. Students do not know what question they will get, so they will usually practice a variety of problems beforehand to get used to coming up with answers “on the fly.”
Then, there’s the “long-term” problem. Earlier in the school year, students will choose one of five problems put out by the OOTM folks. They spend every practice session working together to come up with a solution to the problem, working within the limits and parameters that the problem encompasses.
One team did “Pandora’s Box” and one team did “Silent Movie.” Each had an eight-minute time limit.
From the OOTM website, here are the problem synopses:
Pandora’s Box:
In this classics problem, teams will put a video game spin on the story of Pandora’s Box. A gamer character will take on this multi-level game inspired by the Greek myth. The game will include a prologue that depicts the original story of Pandora’s Box, three characters representing different evils that escaped the box, and a power meter that represents the gamer character’s health. To beat the game, the player will advance to the final level where it will release hope into the world.
Silent Movie:
Lights, camera…action! In this problem teams will create and present a performance depicting a Director character that produces and presents a silent movie featuring a humorous villain character that commits three silly acts of “villainy”. Characters that are in the movie may not speak as part of the presentation of the movie. Instead, like classic silent films, the team will use music played on a team-created instrument and creatively displayed subtitles to convey its story to the audience and judges. Also, teams will use a signal to indicate when the movie begins and ends.
Winning It!
Team 1
Team 1 placed 3rd in their Division, addressing the Silent Movie Problem. After competition day, the team performed for a Rainbow audience. This team really did a great job creating a wonderful and funny “movie.” Take a look at some photos of their performance:
(Click on any image to start a slide show):
Team 2
Team 2 came in 2nd place which means they are going to the state competition!!
They addressed the Pandora’s Box problem and you could tell they really had a lot of fun using their creative talents to put it all together.
Take a look at some of the photos from their performance at Rainbow:
Awards Ceremony
After the performances came the Awards Ceremony. First, special thanks went out to Edward, the OOTM coach, and all the parent volunteers who helped with all the OOTM meetings.
Gratitude goes out to other Rainbow staff and teachers who gave up space, time and otherwise contributed to the success of the groups: Jenny, Justin, Melissa, Pamela, Rachel, Tracie, Jason & Susan.
The 2nd and 3rd place trophies and certificates were incredibly special!
Each year, we send off bright young men and women to start their high school careers.
Every graduating student writes a speech and stands in front of their Rainbow family – parents, staff, and students – and gives us a glimpse of what his or her experience has been like at Rainbow.
These speeches are at once eloquent and erudite, comical and entertaining. Each student beautifully demonstrates the learning they have done, honoring their school year and community with their wisdom.
The graduation ceremony began with a sacred tradition we have here at Rainbow: a Centering.
The Omega (7th and 8th grade) students led this part of the ceremony. The video below shows the centering – it’s part of what makes Rainbow so special.
Afterward, our eighth grade graduate, Nitara was the first to give her speech. She revealed how much she’s grown and learned during her tenure at Rainbow. She will be attending Carolina Day School next year.
Next was Andrew, with his insights on how to achieve success and advised everyone that life is what you make of it, and that no matter what you must try. Andrew will be attending Asheville Christian Academy.
Francesca followed, sharing her experiences in Omega, how she found her teachers to be amazing. She felt like she really became part of a family when she came to Rainbow, especially during her experience in Omega. Francesca will be attending SILSA for the next school year.
Our wonderful Lily went next, recounting her memories of her time at Rainbow. She attended this school for 12 years and always felt like the Rainbow community was a second family. We will miss Lily, too. She will attend Asheville High School.
Later, Justin came up, explaining how his Omega experience has changed his life and tells about the friends he’s made. His experience has truly Omega has changed his life forever. Next year, he will attend Carolina Day School.
Bella was next, sharing some observations that she’s made and how they have provided some powerful lessons – such as learning from your mistakes and life is short – we should all live it to the fullest. She will also attend Carolina Day School next year. Bella received the prestigious Merit Scholarship from Carolina Day, given to only five students each year.
Gwyn started her speech with a Peter Pan quote about “never saying goodbye” – because here at Rainbow, we don’t say goodbye. We say, “We’ll see you soon and we will never forget you.” She will attend SILSA next year.
Michael is “moving forward” and this isn’t goodbye – it’s a new beginning. Ever since he started at Rainbow in third grade, breaking his wrist at the class potluck, he came to realize that his teachers and friends became his second family. He will attend Carolina Day School next year.
Xena, who attended Rainbow for 11 years and calculated how much time she spent at Rainbow in hours, days and months – this was the place that became her home away from home. She’s leaving, as a bird who learns to fly, from the protection of her nest. She’s going to explore the big world outside. Xena will attend Carolina Day School.
Hannah told everyone about how Rainbow helped her to blossom and how much she felt welcomed by the community. She will attend SILSA next year.
Mikayla recounted her experiences at Rainbow – her love of her teachers and how they accept their students for who they are. Mikayla will also attend Carolina Day School.
Finishing up the speeches was Zoë – with her passion, love, warmth and drive to make the world a better place – within her speech was a magical, captivating story that everyone must hear – with such emotion and strength, the entire crowd was moved with her words. She will attend Carolina Day School next year and she also received the Highlander Award, given by the Head of School at Carolina Day to only one exceptional student each year.
The eighth grade graduates sang a song for the Rainbow Community. It’s called Home by Phillip Phillips:
This graduation ceremony was a success. We wish only the best for our graduates and we know that they will find success in all of their future endeavors.
Here are the six graduates giving their 8th grade graduation speeches. Each year every 8th grader gets up in front of the community and shows us a little insight into their world. Congratulations to Lucia, Robbie, Forrest, Alec, Jason and Samuel.
This June we had five graduating eighth graders. Each graduate is required to give a speech at graduation. Each graduate decides their theme, writes drafts and revisions and practices until 6:30 that night, when dressed in an outfit that may not have been of their choosing, standing in front of their families and all the Rainbow families they ignore their fear of public speaking and wow us over with their insights, confidence, and wisdom.
I will miss all of the 2011 graduates and wish them the best experience in high school. Namaste, Adriana, Conor, Duncan, Ben and Mars.
(The sound quality is poor on the first video and on the first half of the second video but after that, we’re good)
