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Turning Histories into SongElder's Wisdom, Children's Song
by Monica Hochstedler
From Minnesota to Alabama, schools around the United States are getting involved in an intergenerational, community arts initiative called “Elder’s Wisdom, Children’s Song” (EWCS) a part of Minneapolis-based Community Celebration of Place. Started by singer-songwriter, Larry Long, EWCS seeks to “honor elders, educate students and celebrate community.” These three components together create a life-changing service-learning program that brings together schools and the surrounding community.
The collaboration between schools and EWCS begins with a workshop process. First, a group of teachers, administrators and community volunteers select community “elders”, “adults of any age who have given something back to the community that nurtured them.” Elders chosen together must “reflect the cultural, gender and class diversity of the local community” (Mayers 13). Next, elders share their life stories with a class. After the uninterrupted story-time, students and teachers transcribe the story, writing down questions and observations to present to the elder at the next meeting. After interviewing the elder, each class spends three sessions dissecting and interpreting the story, eventually arriving at prominent themes that can then be turned into a folksong. Larry Long describes this outcome as "something that moves through the generations." Students then practice singing the song before presenting the final product at a community-wide celebration at which the elders are honored.
Through the workshop process, students refine skills of “listening, questioning, writing and reading” (Mayers, p. 15). They also learn about musical components such as composition, vocal technique and performance art. “The deeper goal, Long says, is to forge meaningful connections among the neighborhoods, racial communities and other social groups represented in each school” (Mayers 15). Perhaps most importantly, throughout the workshop process, Long trains teachers how to continue the program in future years, thus creating a sustainable program.
By connecting academic standards and building relationships with the community, students learn important lessons necessary for effective service-learning.
To learn more about Elder’s Wisdom, Children’s Song, visit the following articles and websites:
Mayers, Dara. "To all My Relations", Teaching Tolerance. Number 23, Spring 2003.
http://www.tolerance.org/teach/expand/mag/features.jsp?p=0&is=31&ar=404
Elder's Wisdom, Children's Song
http://www.communitycelebration.org/elder/index.html
"Communities Celebrate with Elders' Wisdom and Children's Song"
http://www.extension.umn.edu/mnimpacts/impact.asp?projectID=2752
"True Life Art Stories: Innovative community collaboration/celebration"
http://www.discoverarts.org/aceleb.html
Socially Relevant Art: Service-Learning and the Philosophy of Art
Connecting Musical Performance and Service-Learning
Service-Learning, Character Education, Picture Books and Early Literacy
PSLA's Digital Divide Initiative Featured in National Service Newsletter
The President's Volunteer Service Awards Soon to be Launched
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The Pennsylvania Service-Learning Alliance dissolved as of June 30, 2007. The website will stay posted for one more year, so please share the resources. We are sorry that we will not be able to answer any questions you may have. Good luck with all your future service-learning endeavors!