The Willard PTG is pleased to present another exciting year of cultural enrichment. Included in the roster are several all school artistic assemblies and curricula-related assemblies for each grade level. Thanks to the generosity of the PTG we continue to present high quality programs which supplement and enhance our students’ education.  Any comments regarding this year’s programs or suggestions for future events should be directed to the Assemblies Committee at assemblies@willardptg.org

A printable version (PDF) of the assemblies schedule is available here.

School-wide assemblies – in auditorium

Manguito
Latin American Music
Five internationally known Latin American musicians take students on an interactive musical tour of the Caribbean as they play the rhythms of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic on a variety of musical instruments. Students participate throughout the presentation via sing-alongs, clapping rhythms, playing instruments, and dancing.
Monday, Dec 5 at 9:15 (K-2) & 10:15 (3-5)

Historical Perspectives
Harriett Tubman: Conductor of the Underground railroad
Harriet was born a slave in 1820 and never achieved status as a teacher, businesswoman, writer or scientist.  What she did do was make these achievements possible for others through her tireless and unyielding quest for the fundamental element necessary for these pursuits: personal liberty.  Learn about Tubman’s life through a solo theatre performance that will educate and inspire.
Monday, Feb 6 at 9:30 (K-2) & 10:30 (3-5)

David Zucker
Poetry in Motion
Poetry comes to life in David Zucker’s performance of acting, mime, vocal gymnastics, humor, audience participation, and a trunk full of costumes, puppets, and props. David’s irresistible cast of characters, recreated from the poems by A.A. Milne, Lewis Carroll, Langston Hughes, Shel Silverstein, Edgar Allen Poe, and James Whitcomb Riley, are not to be missed.
Thursday, April 5 at 9:30 (K-2) & 10:30 (3-5)

The Arithmetickles
Math Assembly
Using audience participation, comedy, mime and theatrical effects, the fast-paced math games and skits in Arithmetickles school assemblies capture the attention of children. Age-appropriate material is set in a “kid-friendly” math game show format of puzzles, scenarios and storytelling, affording students a chance to explore and resolve math problems creatively.
Friday, May 25 at 1pm (K-2) & 2pm (3-5)

Grades 3-5 only:
Travis Roy
Motivational Speaker
"In life there are times when we choose our challenges and other times when the challenges simply choose us. The question is whether we conquer the challenges life presents us, or surrender to them." Travis takes his audience on an emotional journey that will leave each person reflecting on their past, present and future. He helps people recognize what is important in life and inspires them to get the most out of it.
Wednesday, April 25 at 1:45pm,  (3-5) only

Author Visits (Grade-specific)

Nancy Poydar – Kindergarten
Author/Illustrator Nancy Poydar visits the kindergarten classrooms.
May 2012; Schedule TBD

Bries Lies – 1st grade
Author of the “Bats at the….” series gives his engaging presentation.
Thursday October 13th ; Classroom schedule TBD

Suzy Kline – 2nd Grade
Author Suzy Kline presents 2 assemblies for the 2nd grade in the auditorium.
Thursday Oct 6 at 9:30 & 10:30am

Jacqueline Davies – 3rd  Grade
Author Jacqueline Davies presents her “Map Me a Story”” writing workshop in the 3rd grade classrooms.
Wednesday Oct 12th all day; Classroom schedule TBD

Jacqueline Davies – 4th Grade
Author Jacqueline Davies presents her “Hooked”” writing workshop in the 4th grade classrooms.
Tuesday Oct 11th all morning; Classroom schedule TBD

Mitali Perkins – 5th  Grade
Author Mitali Perkins presents an assembly to the 5th grade on Monday followed by two classroom workshops.  The other two classroom workshops are the next day.
Mon-Tues Nov 7-8; Classroom schedule TBD

Curriculum Enrichment Events (Grade-specific)

Mother Goose – Kindergarten
Actress Marcia Estabrook entertains in each Kindergarten classroom using rhymes, games and songs.
Wednesday Jan 25th; Classroom schedule TBD

Bryan Windmiller – 1st grade
Concord naturalist Bryan Windmiller brings native reptile species to the classrom.
May 2012, Schedule TBD

Bash the Trash – 2nd Grade
BTT musician Nathan presents instrument building workshops with reused materials.
Thursday Jan 26th all day; Classroom schedule TBD

Blacksnake Woman – 3rd  Grade
Blacksnake Woman and Traveling Medicine Dog will visit each 3rd grade classroom twice: once to introduce Native American culture and later to present Native American pictographs while dispelling common myths about early Native American written communication.
Wednesday Oct 19th all day; Classroom schedule TBD