On our first day back in the new school year with Stuart, our intention going into Sound and Movement was just to reconnect with Stuart and his instruments. He brought back his djembe and guitar, instruments the children became familiar with last year, and a few familiar games.
Jacob taps the djembe very lightly and the others lay down, pretending to sleep. He increases the tempo and volume and the children jump up with a shriek of delight and begin wild dancing. He returns to the gentle tapping and, again, the children pretend to sleep.
Zoe: I’m playing spider-catching sound.
In response, the children tip-toe around and then jump up with clasped hands saying, “I caught one!”
Avey: Listen. I slide then tap. That means slide your feet then jump.
Stuart: I can hear it. When we play music or listen to music, we use both our ears and eyes. I see you sliding your hands.
We form a large circle and sit together to practice listening and watching the leader setting the rhythm this time with our bodies as the instruments. First with claps, then leg taps, imaginary symbol crashes, and finally, drum rolls on the ground. Stuart introduces the word crescendo. We coordinate our bodies in unison, starting quietly and then building in tempo and volume. We crash our imaginary cymbals together – in time – having carefully listened and watched Stuart’s lead while making a collaborative crescendo.
By asking the children to listen not only with their ears but also with their eyes, Stuart bring the group together, establishing awareness of others and inviting our mantra for the week, listening with care, into our sound and movement. Listening, really listening, is more than leaving space for someone to talk. It means hearing someone’s words, seeing their expressions, and responding. – Jessica
On our first day back in the new school year with Stuart, our intention going into Sound and Movement was just to reconnect with Stuart and his instruments. He brought back his djembe and guitar, instruments the children became familiar with last year, and a few familiar games. 
