The Lower School 2024 Winter Program theme was Cozy. « We celebrated all things cozy in the Beasley Studio in anticipation of the program, » said Dr. Katy Nichols, Lower School Music Teacher. She partnered with Liz Crowder, Lower School Literacy Coordinator, to create a cozy collaboration of stories and writing in alignment with the winter program theme. Rather than write the script herself, Dr. Nichols asked if Crowder would help the children write about what would be the perfect cozy day. Crowder was very excited to support writing across the school with a cozy collaboration. She helped the children write their thoughts about coziness, and some students shared their writing with the winter program audience.
When introducing the theme, Crowder visited each class and asked the children what cozy meant to them. The students enthusiastically discussed coziness together. Then, each child completed a graphic organizer on the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and things they touch that are cozy to them. To set the mood, Crowder read a book for the children as they completed the graphic organizer. Senior Kindergarten through second-grade students listened to Blanket: Journey To Extreme Coziness by Loryn Brantz. Third and fourth graders listened to Hygge Dreams and the Coziness It Brings by Tabitha Rae Adams.
During the second session, Crowder facilitated writing workshops with every class. She returned with the information from the graphic organizers that the children completed. Half of the students worked on writing what made them feel cozy while the other half of the class practiced their winter program songs. When students finished writing, they would tap another friend to take their place. All of the children had an opportunity to both write and rehearse their program songs.
This project incorporated literacy skills into the Winter Program through a writing-across-the-curriculum collaboration. As a result, Beasly students have had increased investment, interest, and understanding of the Winter Program theme of coziness. « I have enjoyed collaborating with Mrs. Crowder, watching her teach, and seeing the joy she has helped foster in the kids during this process, » said Dr. Nichols.
Congratulations to our cozy students on their wonderful collaboration!