As the music teacher at FSM, this was Karen Salter’s second year designing and conducting the MLK Celebration.
The MLK celebration is a large undertaking and vital to our school. It is one of the ways we connect with our values, one of the ways we contemplate them and make them real for our children.
Karen’s son Owen is in Kindergarten at FSM. She was working with the Kindergarteners to learn the song, I Am But A Small Voice. In the process of learning the lyrics, Owen asked her what the phrase “we are one” meant. He said, “I am five years old, not one.” This question made Karen ask herself, “what context do our children have around these lyrics?” She also thought about how much easier it would be for them to learn the song and how much more meaningful it would be for them if they really understood the lyrics.
She decided to have the Kindergarteners make a book. Each child chose a phrase from the song. Some of them had to ask what that phrase meant. They talked to Karen and their classmates about the meanings. When they felt like they understood their phrase, they drew a picture explaining what that phrase meant. Then Karen created a picture book and showed their illustrations as they all sang the song together.
“It was an experiment for me. I am not a visual artist and wasn’t sure how to teach this kind of work. I didn’t know what the end product would be. I just knew I wanted to give them a different way to connect with the lyrics. I always talk about how music tells a story. It seemed like a logical next step. I am so glad I tried it. I really think that the students could feel more connected to the piece and they were more genuine in their performance.”
Onie chose the phrase, We are one! We are one! He drew a picture of his family together. His mom told Karen she was moved that he chose that phrase because it related to his name. His mom named him Onie as a variation on “one” meaning both an individual and a connected community.
Eliot drew a person with a large peace sign covering their torso. It fills up the figure as if they are an embodiment of peace.
Sukey chose prosperity. To her prosperity meant that we have a place to live and beauty around us. You can see a figure singing from the top window of the home.
Ayan drew a circle of people, some big and some small, holding hands in a circle. His phrase was, “come, young citizens of the world!.”
Owen drew a small person on a world with musical notes coming from their mouth. His phrase was, “Be free to sing my song everywhere!”
