LOADING...

Artist brings powerpoint slides on a thumbdrive to plug into the classroom system. Artist can also bring projector and laptop if not available in the classroom. Artist will bring paper copies (picture book format) of slides as back up. study guide; resource materials; props as needed for further discussion and demonstration

screen or blank wall for slide show; darkened room; computer, projector, and remote, if available - if not please inform artist who will bring necessary equipment; outlet; extension cord; photocopier for handouts; pencils; clipboards (if available) and lined paper; white board or chart paper

Screen or blank wall to project images onto. Classrooms to be darkened as much as possible or the darkest classroom selected for the program. Students can remain in seats or group on the "rug" in classrooms. A white board or chart paper will be used for student questions and observations. If clipboards available, students to use clipboard and pencil.

I can describe how artificial light at night confuses sea turtle hatchlings who expect the brightest light to be moonlight reflecting on the water.

I can describe how the performer used repetition to emphasize a point and engage the audience.

One Hundred Million Years of Turtle Time and Human Impact on their Ecosystem is a non-fiction and interactive storytelling performance that uses hand-drawn images and spoken word to describe how sea turtle behavior depends on the environmental cues of day and night and highlights how lighting technologies have changed turtle ecosystems. Students participate by joining in on repetitive phrases and hand-gestures during the performance. The story begins by defining night as a shadow, and explains why turtles lay their eggs at night. Students learn that new-born turtle hatchlings look for light reflected off the water to know "their way to their ocean home." But when turtles confuse artificial light for moonlight on the water, they go the wrong direction and get lost. The performance ends with the upbeat message that as we modify our lighting technologies to protect the environment, turtle hatchlings will once again "find their way to their ocean home" .

Discussion and Q & A focus on how and why the performer uses artistic techniques such repetition. I also share the background of how and why I created this program, to share a personal concern about light pollution. Because I am an author/illustrator, I used my art forms of writing and making pictures to express my passion and my concern.

Grade Level Adaptations include
modifying vocabulary up and down for grade level; using additional visual aids as needed; and adapt the discussion to grade level science and performance standards and information about my research for the work.

Performance adaptations include stopping mid-stream for upper grades to brainstorm solutions before they are presented, or writing out the repetitions on a white board for younger learners.

Volunteers can assist students with repetition at appropriate moments in the performance; volunteers can assist with Q &A as well as pass out paper and pencil when appropriate.