THE LION KING
The Year of Lion King
In March, the entire Abram Lansing Elementary School is are all going to Proctors to see Disney's The Lion King!
The trip, which is being made possible by the school's parent organization and a grant from Proctors, is scheduled for March 17.
The grant outlines that Proctors and Abram Lansing Elementary School will develop a full-school, year-long project focused on the themes of Disney's The Lion King through African studies, giving students a chance to immerse themselves in the culture.
In preparation for the performance, students will be learning about African culture and performance through nearly every artist that has been invited to perform at the school this year. Lesson plans at each grade level will be infused with artist workshops. Each grade will participate in multiple artist visits in either African storytelling, Tribal mask making, African dancing or drumming. Once a grade of students has participated in learning a skill in their artist workshops, they will then demonstrate the skill to another grade, thus perpetuating the experience and also reinforcing the circle of the arts. The entire school, including all teachers and support staff will attend The Lion King at Proctors, followed by a TheatreTalk with cast members following the show.
Several different types of teaching artists in the African Diaspora are scheduled to deliver workshops for students that are linked to curriculum and the African and tribal themes of Disney's The Lion King.
Scheduled performers for ALS students include:
Sept. 28 - Step Afrika! for the entire school Click here for the story about Step Afrika!
October - Ellen Sinopoli and Zorkie Nelson for fifth-grades African dance, music, drumming, costume design and performance.
November - Chris Moran will showcase tribal mask-making on several days in November. Click here for the story and slideshow about students making masks!
January - Claire Beetlestone will visit to showcase African storytelling.
February - Zorkie Nelson will perform African drumming. Click here for slideshow!
March - Artist Mark Sharer loans works of African art to Abram Lansing gallery. Click here for story and slideshow!
March - The Grumbling Gryphons share African tales with Lansing students. Click here for story and slideshow!
March 17 - Full school to attend Disney's The Lion King at Proctors, followed by a TheatreTalk with cast members after the show.
Throughout the year, updates will be posted here, so our readers can learn along with the students!
