Hartford Performs

Whales, Octopi & Sharks, Oh My! - a musical dive into sea science (PK-3)

Last changed: 07/09/2024 5:36pm

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Jackson Gillman

Available to Grade(s): PK , K , 1 , 2 , 3	Program Can Serve: Music
Art Form: Music	Curriculum Focus: Science
Program Type: Both Grade Level and Arts/PE Program	Integration Continuum Level: Access
# of Visits as a Grade Level Program: 1	Length of Visit (Grade Level Program): 45 min
# of Visits as an Arts/PE Program: 1	Length of Visit (Arts/PE Program): 45 min
Length Info: Program can easily be adjusted to whatever length desired, 30 - 60 minutes.
Program Format: In-School Performance	Program Format Info: In-School Performance (intended for the entire grade level to experience together)
Availability: All year	Location: In-School,
Cost Per Student: $5	Minimum # of Students Needed In Order to Book This Program: 0
Program Requires Prior Meeting: no	Meeting Method: In-Person , Email , Phone
Materials Arts Provider Provides: sound system if needed for large groups; lyric sheet for teachers
Materials School Provides: a clear, quiet performing space
Space and/or Set Up Requirements for Program: Access to performing space 15 minutes prior to program. If in a classroom, I'd like at least 6' x 10'.
Program Learning Objective: I can describe and understand a food web. I can describe many specific features of jellyfish, octopi, whales and other creatures, which help enable them to survive. I can demonstrate biomimicry. I can tell you many differences between a fish and a marine mammal. I can name the proper nautical terms for many parts of a ship. I can have a blast while learning a lot about sea life!
Program Description: If a class can not take an educational field trip to the ocean, this highly interactive show might be the next best thing. I lead the students in a progressive sequence of participatory song, movement and story. Students easily follow me in a physical illustration of a Seafood Chain. We start with a tiny shrimp (pinky) bobbing in the water, and work our way up to a killer whale (full-body movements). Along the way we enact an eel, octopus, tuna fish, great white shark. Afterward, we take a closer look at many of these and other sea creatures. We learn what they eat, how they feed, who preys on them, and how they protect themselves. When teaching something, I often let them figure out terms and concepts. The songs which follow serve to reinforce the learning. Plus, when the lesson is acted out, e.g. in the whale version of Head, Flippers, Tail and Flukes, they will always remember that a whale's tale has two flukes because they somaticized that. (I realize that word is not in the dictionary, but putting learning into the body is perhaps the best way to describe much of my teaching method.) Students will be up and moving often throughout the show which would have over a dozen routines and songs in a variety of genres. I literally have hours of marine repertoire to draw from and can easily adapt the content according to the grade and curriculum goals. Students will be having lots of fun while learning boatloads about the sea and many of its inhabitants.
Additional Notes: The reason I have such an extensive marine repertoire is that the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory hired me for their annual Family Science Night for umpteen years. Since some families returned yearly, I made a point to continually add new pieces. Since 2013, I have been presenting "Whales, Tales & Sails" weekly at New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park. That audience is families with young children so I now have even more material which is preschool-friendly. As a testament to the appeal and educational value of my program, the Cape Cod National Seashore usually does not have presenters return annually, but they are hiring me every year now. In addition to the MDI Biological Laboratory and Cape Cod National Seashore, other organizations which have hired me multiple times over the years include: Waquoit Bay Reserve for their Family Evenings on the Bluff; Boston Harbor NOW for their Family Days on George's Island; and the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory for their summer family programming. The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center has hired me many times for their Working Waterfront Festival, and their Something Fishy summer camp.
Parent Engagement Opportunities: Any number of caregivers are welcome to observe.

Core & National Art Standards:

Grade PK

Grade K: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: Animals, Plants, and Their Environment: K-LS1-1. Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. DCI: All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.

PreK: Music: Creating: Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. With substantial guidance, explore and experience a variety of music.

PreK: Music: Performing: Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. With substantial guidance, perform music with expression.

Grade K

Grade K: Music: Performing: Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. With guidance, perform music with expression.

Grade K: Music: Performing: Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. Perform appropriately for the audience.

Grade 1

Grade 1: Structure, Function, and Information Processing: 1-LS1-1.Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. DCI: All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.

Grade 1: Music: Performing: Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. With limited guidance, perform music for a specific purpose with expression.

Grade 1: Music: Performing: Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. Perform appropriately for the audience and purpose.

Grade 2

Grade 2: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: 2-LS4-1. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats. DCI: ï‚§ There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

Grade 2: Music: Performing: Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. Perform music for a specific purpose with expression and technical accuracy.

Grade 2: Music: Performing: Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. Perform appropriately for the audience and purpose.

Grade 3

Grade 3: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: LS4-3. Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all. DCI: For any particular environment, some kinds of organisms survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.

Grade 3: Music: Performing: Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. Perform music with expression and technical accuracy.

Grade 3: Music: Performing: Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work. Demonstrate performance decorum and audience etiquette appropriate for the context and venue.