Colors, Rhythms, and Voices: Communicating through Arts
Grade 4 presents…
With such a proud opening credit, elementary students from Grade 4 Cheerfulness, Forgiveness, and Resourcefulness took the Theater Hall in a student-led stage production entitled, “Colors, Rhythms, and Voices: Communicating through Arts.” This vibrant showcase marked the grand finale of their first unit revolving around the central idea: “Throughout history, people have interacted with each other and communicated using arts.”
The production unfolded the unit’s three lines of inquiry like acts in a well-crafted play, which reveal distinct themes. Dance performances and poem presentations brought the first line of inquiry into the limelight: “How People Communicate with Arts (Function)”. With youthful vigor and expression, the students danced to “Golden,” embodying the spirit of their generation, and communicated their concern for the environment through “The Earth is My Home”. In between these production numbers, the students also showcased their storytelling and singing prowess in performing thanksgiving, lament, and praise psalms. Through these recitals, they demonstrated how different art forms serve unique functions.
Grade 4 students dancing to “Golden” and “The Earth is My Home”
Psalm-singing performances
Poetry recitations
In the next act, the students took the role of art exhibitors. Through video presentations, they showed that visual art is not just for aesthetics; it can also highlight important issues. Perfectly capturing the second line of inquiry: “How artwork provides insight and information (Connection),” these young artists created paintings that inform and express their insights on societal and environmental concerns like corruption and climate change.
Students explaining the message of their paintings
As the show progressed, another video segment took the audience through the evolution of various art forms. Aligned with the third line of inquiry: “Development of Art Forms over Time (Change),” the students narrated the transformation of traditional crafts like lantern-making and weaving. This reveals that art is dynamic and continues to evolve with the passing of time.
Video presentations on the development of weaving and lantern-making
For the final bow, the students wove together all the art forms into a cohesive performance. As they sang along to the tune of “Sana,” a video montage of their paintings and artworks was projected on the screen. Echoing the message of the heartfelt song, the students expressed their aspiration for a peaceful and just world.
The final musical performance of Grade 4 students
Unlike other shows, this production had no encore performance—on stage. Their real encore is not on the center stage but found way beyond the walls of the Theater Hall. It is not even a performance, too; it is their everyday interaction and communication through art. This embodiment of the unit’s central idea is the most unforgettable bonus act Grade 4 Hopeans can show.