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Magic of Reading
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The Magic of Reading with Brian Richards is designed to tickle the imagination, highlight the fun of reading, and encourage children to explore the library. This elementary reading school assembly will inspire your students to open a book and start reading! Featuring magic, comedy, audience participation, storytelling, and educational fun, The Magic of Reading assembly show is a hit with students, teachers, and staff! Librarians, Teachers, PTA Presidents, Principals, Students, and Parents have and continue to give amazing reviews for this program. This elementary reading school assembly show promotes reading and the importance of visiting the library, utilizing Magic, Comedy, Storytelling, and Audience participation. The Magic of Reading will touch on reading genres and the types of books found in the library, including Fantasy, Adventure, Mysteries, Science Fiction, Horror, Non-Fiction, and more. The show features the books “The Empty Pot” and “Abiyoyo.”
Griffin Brady
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Griffin Brady is a celebrated teaching artist who holds a masters degree in Ethnomusicology and is the acclaimed director of the Slyboots School, Slyboots Circus and the Bernard Woma Dagara Music Center USA. Griffin leads tours to schools across the country with the Slyboots Circus and the Saakumu Dance Troupe from Ghana, West Africa.
Mallory Zondag
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Living Wall Fiber Art Community Program The Living Wall is a community based, collaborative art program that focuses on the hands-on art of wet felting. During this program students learn a variety of felting techniques to experience how wool can be sculpted and painted with to create three dimensional forms, patterns and unique fiber creations. Over the course of three sessions, participating classes will learn to wet felt flowers, mushrooms, moths, leaves, stones and vines using different hands on felting techniques. They range from techniques that are purely hand based, meaning no extra tools are needed which are best for grades k-2 and techniques that require felting mats that are provided by myself, the teaching artist, which are best for grades 3 and up. Those felted pieces of flora and fauna are then added to one large piece of background felt to create the look and feel of a living wall. It is an organically textured quilt or 3D sculptural base is made entirely of hand felted wool and will sometimes represent trees, roots and branches. The final piece will be hung at the school in the location of the schools choosing. The Living Wall is meant to be a reminder of how important green spaces are to human beings, how important our environment is and how we need nature in our lives to be healthy and happy. It serves as a lesson in using, understanding and appreciating natural fibers, as well as learning about the sustainability of wool. It is also a symbol of community and the beauty of working together to create one beautiful piece of work. In the same way an ecosystem has many individual elements that work together in harmony to create beautiful natural spaces and systems that benefit us all. The cost of this residency program is $6250 which includes all materials, tools, in class time and the assembly of the final sculpture. There may be an additional cost to the program that will be dependent on the distance to the school and the length of the program to cover travel costs.
miSci Museum of Innovation & Science
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The Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci) offers a variety of engaging STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs as field trip experiences, virtually, or in-person (off-site) at your location. Each program features a miSci science communicator performing demonstrations and guiding hands-on experiments designed to excite and inform learners. We offer classes in Earth Science, Chemistry, Physical Science, Space, Engineering, Life Science. Our in person outreach classes are 45 minutes long, for up to 25 students in one session. We also have the capability to do the outreach classes as virtual classes in all these subjects. miSci has a Starlab (portable planetarium) that we can bring to a school, or area building to do up to 5 - thirty minute shows in one day. We also have star parties for naked eye viewing, weather permitting. We offer field trips which include a class, a planetarium show and time in the museum to explore. With suggestions from teachers we can adjust the topics in a planetarium show or for a different class topic if we are given a 3 week notice to make the adjustments.
Jared Campbell
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Jared Campbell is an award winning singer/songwriter from Upstate New York and has been traveling the country performing for thousands of people and hundreds of schools over the past 18 years. He’s shared the stage with national acts and had his music featured on TV shows. He’s also been acknowledged by Billboard Magazine as one of the top independent musicians in the northeast. His school presentation is unlike any other assembly you will bring in to your school. He reaches students through the power of music with songs he's written about some of the most crucial elements to living out your life with purpose. His message focuses on overcoming obstacles, bully prevention, respect, leadership and having an amazing outlook on life. His approach in relating to students is unlike any other presenter you will see. He mixes humor with deep emotion and literally takes the listener inside his songs through the use of powerful videos that are projected behind him during the show. Students continually walk into the show saying "I thought this was going to be just another dumb assembly" and have left the show routinely saying "In all four years of high school....this has been the best assembly ever!" - Maria 12th grade. There's plenty of humor as Jared constantly gets compared to the likes of Jack Black and you could say Jared's conducting a "School of Rock" but this school is meant to rock your life! Jared's heart is to reach the young people of today and encourage them to never stop dreaming and continue pushing forward to living out your purpose with passion!
Hull Family Home & Farmstead
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We offer a broad array of experiences to visitors through a variety of methods to encourage understanding and appreciation of the multifaceted story of a pioneer family in WNY. We strive to develop a ‘hands-on’ experience for visitors. From this site, the only fully restored stone dwelling of the early 1800's in Erie county, 200 years of history can be told through the Hull family – the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 & the burning of Buffalo, the opening and impact of the Erie Canal, early pioneer life, the Abolitionist movement, and much more on into the 20th century. Learn about the rich history of the Hull family and their role in shaping the local community! Student field trips to the Hull Family Home & Farmstead are being scheduled from May through October. Currently, we offer interactive lessons which align with the New York State Social Studies Framework for Grades 4 and 7, but we can also work with you to develop a trip tailored to your specific needs and interests.
Ripping the DIS from disABILITY
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A leading motivational speaker and author, I share stories and insights that have enabled me to triumph over cerebral palsy and hearing loss, framing the program around the importance of love, family, and forgiveness in our lives. Though I was in a wheelchair for four years, and can now walk pretty well, the journey has not been easy. Though physically bullied in school and rather than respond in anger, I chose to forgive and help the bullies! A positive attitude can help us celebrate our unique gifts while kindness and respect can help those gifts be revealed. Each program culminates in a powerful documentary video to demonstrate, by example, that we should always focus on our abilities. As a former special needs kid, I describe how optimism and confidence allows us to share an important life philosophy using three simple words: Yes I Can! Which is precisely the title of my published book, helping teen readers and parents overcome self-doubt when faced with tremendous challenges. DETAILS FOR GRADE SCHOOLS: Shorter 35-minute presentation for grades K-2 (focused on disability awareness, character education, kindness and respect, and the qualities of a superhero) followed by a longer 60-minute presentation for grades 3-5 (focused on anti-bullying, leadership, and resilience). Two assemblies maximum per day, preferably before lunch. To help with drive time and share travel expenses from my New Jersey home, I suggest programs at multiple schools on consecutive days. Please email me to establish initial contact, due to my hearing loss, or leave voicemail on my landline. Also open to an introductory Zoom meeting for a "meet-and-greet" and to answer your questions. ONLINE SPEAKER RESUME: www.JustTheWayYouAre.com/resume
Supermarket Science
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Chocolate syrup, baby diapers, and spaghetti probably aren’t the first things you think of when you think about science. But if you’re a student of Supermarket Science, you’ll immediately laugh, recalling the fun science lessons and crazy antics those simple store-bought items can create. You’ll also recall that hard-boiled eggs, applesauce, and a flying clipboard are all a part of the fun of Supermarket Science, a STEM assembly show that will make elementary and middle school students excited about the wonders of science. Nearly a dozen students participate on stage in this interactive and hysterical science school show, all while learning that chemical reactions, air pressure, inertia, and potential and kinetic energy make up a big part of our everyday lives. Supermarket Science is everywhere, even in a place as uninteresting, unexciting and routine as the supermarket!
Ira Marcks
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Ira Marcks is an award-winning graphic novelist and educator whose books have been recommended by the New York Times and American Library Association. Ira's in-person and virtual visits include two programs that can be schedule as a single classroom event or combined to create a full day author visit. Program 1: Making Comics. (Performance) An introduction to Ira’s creative process through the unique elements of comic storytelling: frame, character, setting, and speech bubble. This program is intended for a large group. Program 2: Drawing Faces. (Classroom Presentation) A hands-on lesson in designing believable and expressive comic characters. Students will learn Ira's step by step process for creating a cartoon face, followed by an insightful look at the role of facial expressions in comic storytelling. Only a pencil, paper, and Sharpie Marker are required to participate. This program is intended for classroom interaction. Testimonials: “Ira is that rare breed of artist who seamlessly blends his creative side and a seemingly effortless ability to teach. He brings a welcoming and open approach to arts education.” — Carolyn Fagan, Library Program Director, Troy, New York “Ira was one of the most dynamic presenters we have ever had. The students were fully engaged and the teachers were too. We hope he will come back. ” — Martha Sweeney, Head of The Odyssey School, Baltimore, Maryland
BubbleMania
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BubbleMania: Science, Art & Comedy! An extremely "pop"ular assembly that combines bubbling skills, clean humor and toe-tapping tunes with an exploration of the natural sciences to amaze, amuse and inspire. This show connects the dots between creativity and scientific know-how. Students K-5 learn how bubbles form, how to use simple tools to create jaw-dropping bubble sculpture at home (spaceship, bubble cube, bubble disco ball), the science of bubble bursting, secret formulas and more. Includes eye-popping, artistic routines choreographed to jazzy music and a finale that finds a student trapped inside a giant bubble. Developed by Casey Carle, international award-winning bubble manipulator with credits that include Cirque du Soleil, Sesame Street and The Smithsonian Institute. Thousands of shows presented at schools across New York & New England for two decades. Brains will whirl, eyes will go wide and jaws will drop for students and staff alike. Amaze, amuse and inspire with BubbleMania!
Tim Collins
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Award-winning, nationally touring actor and educator Tim Collins has performed his acclaimed one-man shows for over 1,000,000 students and educators around the country. Tim offers a range of engaging shows for all ages, K-12, as well as interactive workshops for students and adults. STANDING BY, STANDING UP (3rd-7th grade) ?This powerful solo play depicts a compelling range of characters confronted by bullying and cyberbullying. Timely and thought-provoking, this impactful drama identifies ways students can prevent violence in their schools and communities. TO BE HONEST (8th-12th grade) A performance created specifically for middle and high school audiences, this moving show addresses a range of trending issues including cyberbullying, bystander intervention, and the impact of social media on friendships and relationships. NO MORE BULLYING (K-3rd grade) This fun and exciting program engages kids and provides strategies on how to avoid bullying and how to become an empowered bystander and work to prevent bullying and cyberbullying. INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS (all ages) Utilizing an innovative combination of innovative games and activities, small and large group discussion, and compelling and memorable role-playing exercises, Tim provides transformative workshop sessions for students and professionals. Workshops on a variety of topics are available, including: Healthy Communication, Conflict Resolution, Team Building, Bystander Intervention, Cultural Responsiveness, Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, Bullying Prevention, Cyberbullying Prevention, Healthy Masculinity, Creative Writing, Improvisational Comedy, Acting and Public Speaking.
Jumpin' Jamie
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Jumpin' Jamie performs "Kindie Rock" for all ages, puppets, and magic. Programs can include "Music and Puppets", "Music, Magic, and Puppets", "Magic show", "Puppet Show", and educational shows such as "Indiana Jamie Reading Show", "Jump Into Dinosaurs", and more. Jumpin' Jamie has performed thousands of shows for crowds from 12 to 12,000 including venues like Citi Field, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and American Dream.