Press
Release Summary: Talking Hands Talking Feet announces “We
The People” A Free Constitution Day Activity Kit
Press
Release Body: The Department of Education now
requires that all public school teachers engage children in a
Constitution Day lesson on September 17th. As teachers
search for appropriate lesson plans, Paul and Melanie
Zeir are determined to put an end to boring civil lessons
with their popular “We the People”
program, a free constitution day activity kit.
The
Zeirs, creators of Talking Hands Talking Feet,
are well known for creating curriculum-based songs with movement
appropriate for the classroom setting. In 2007, the couple created
the “We the People” song for 4th/5th
graders in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was an instant hit - not only
for the students but the teachers as well.
Students
learned that “We the People” referred
to wealthy, white, male landowners back in 1787 when the constitution
was written. This brought up a rich discussion of who ‘We
the People’ really are and our rights as Americans.
The students themselves brainstormed ideas and created much of
the lyrics in the song. Then with great enthusiasm, movements
were integrated to further enrich the engagement.
According
to Melanie Zeir, “The students involved become
well acquainted with the preamble from this process. This was
a very moving experience for all. The children really thought
through what they value and how they want to see those values
shared by others in the world – this summoned respect and
awe in the audience.”
Even
though it is well documented that children learn through many
different learning styles and that children increase their test
scores through kinesthetic learning experiences, there is a tragic
lack of these types of activities available to children.
“When
content is transmitted through song and movement it is much easier
to remember. Making learning fun increases the children’s
interest and thereby their capacity to learn,” says
Paul Zeir, the composer of Talking Hands Talking Feet
music.
Jennifer
Medeiros, elementary school teacher adds, “When
I ask children what they most remember in previous school years,
they never say the homework or the written work, they always say
the performances, productions, Puppet Theater…and we use
the Talking Hands Talking Feet Curriculum Based Performing Arts
Program because we want a professional result.”
“We
have seen tremendous enthusiasm in children working with this
approach. They have a chance to make it their own, to be it, to
live it rather than to just talk about it separate from themselves.
Children want to engage in life and have a chance to put their
own creativity in the process. What we are doing is giving them
confidence to create, express and to learn in a deep and thorough
way,” says Melanie Zeir.
Talking
Hands Talking Feet provides a rich and varied range of
inspired education children’s songs with accompanying movements
and content for teachers and parents. For more information, call
505-982-2120 or check out www.TalkingHandsTalkingFeet.com/constitution-activity
Contact
Details: Talking Hands Talking Feet
Paul & Melanie Zeir
7 Avenida Vista Grande B7-435
Santa Fe NM 98508
Phone: 505 982-2120
THTF@TalkingHandsTalkingFeet.com
2022
