Rainbow Community School has always been a safe haven for introverted children. ย In a world where social aggressiveness has be glorified, especially in the competitive public education model, Rainbow has always had a way of understanding and honoring the power of the introvert.
Three insights from Rainbow on educating introverts:
1. ย Provide “in-breath and out-breath” time. ย At Rainbow, we have active and “outward” times of day; but unlike most schools, those are balanced with “inward” times. ย Every day has moments of silence, such as when we take three breaths together at morning centering, or when we watch nature, or when we decide to have a meditational lunch.
2. Provide many speaking opportunities where introverts can share about something they are passionate about in a safe space — with their classmates. ย That eventually builds up to speaking in front of the whole community. ย However, if they are actually terrified, allow them to “pass” until they are comfortable. ย It takes time to build trust.
3. Allow introverts to find a role they are comfortable with. ย Instead of forcing a terrified child to sing in a performance, a Rainbow teacher might ask them to take on another role, such as being in charge of costumes or props. ย Such a role actually makes them a leader in the eyes of their peers, and builds confidence.
Our Winter Program featured many beautiful originally composed songs, but “Animal Love” was the only one written by a particularly student. 5th grader Lilly Fox was inspired to write “Animal Love” when she learned that the Winter Program’s theme would be Love this year. More touching still is the way her classmates rallied around her and her song. As one of our smallest classes here at Rainbow, the 5th grade has continued to astonish us with their tender support and committed love of each other.
Inspired by Musical Director Sue Ford’s vision of writing all original songs on the theme of Love for December’s Winter Program, Susie Robidoux, 4th grade’s fearless Lead Teacher, developedย an entirely new unit on Love.ย She got herย students started by asking them:ย What is love for you? What does it look like? What does it feel like?ย From there they came to understand love as having three distinct forms. Love is first an expression originated in the self, then an action cultivated in community, and finally an offering given with generosity. The fourth graders learned to think of it this way:ย Love is fostered within usโฆ grown among usโฆ. and gifted beyond us.ย Theseย beautiful song lyrics reflect their journey through their curriculum onย Love.
Let us work together for love in head, heart, and hand. Let us work together for love to make a better land. Love is many things; I cannot count them all. It is powerful. It is peaceful. Love is many things; I cannot count them all. It can break down every wall. Through the woods past the valley where the sea of green grass grows. Love is found in natureโs harmony where the holy river flows. Friends, family, love of life; I feel the warmth from you. Follow me to the land of love where your light is honored and true to make a different land.
Hobey Ford in one of his performances called, “Animalia“.
Hobey Ford at Rainbow Community School
Fantastical characters and sound effects. Incredible stories, puppets and sound effects. All this and more if you come see Hobey Ford!
It’s Saturday, February 28 at 3:30 pm. We’ll start with a sing-a-long with Sue Ford. Doors open at 3.
There will be a kids’ sing-a-long, a raffle, and fun times, too!
Tickets cost $12 for adults and $7 for children at the door. $25 maximum per family.
A Little About Hobey Ford…
Hobey Ford makes his hand-made “Foamies” puppets come alive. He takes children into another world, using his voice, sound effects and song to tell a story.
He engages his audiences and mesmerizes children with delightful, interactive performances. During a show, Hobey is unmasked, but plays many different roles.
Sometimes he’ll be the MC, the storyteller, the puppeteer, and the magician. Artistic scenery and backdrops add to the fun for the whole family.
Hobey Ford Performances
We are so blessed to have Hobey come to Rainbow. His list of performances is incredible!
Animalia
Migration
The Rainbow Bridge and Other Tales
World Tales
Turtle Island Tales
Tales of Light
The Ant and the Grasshopper
In addition to these signature performances, Hobey also helps educators. He can do teacher residences, workshops with the puppets. He also does student workshops, teaching students how to work with puppets.
You should definitely come to this event!
Just look at one of his testimonials:
โAnimalia was visually and aurally engrossing; it was a gentle show.
In these days when our children are bombarded with thousands of images per minute, frequently deafening sound and high-tech effects, the show was in startling counterpoint โ it progressed at a non-hurried pace children seemed to respond to every nuance, delighting in the playfulness of the animals and in you, too, as you made the animals swoop over them or land on their heads.
The realism of the animalsโ movements was truly amazing . . . It was a pleasure to work with you. . . . the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
I know one teacher who used the materials and puppets before the end of the week!
—Christine Brown, Director, Center for the Arts, University of Massachusetts, Lowell
