Hands-On
HANDS-ON 2012 - THE CZECHS IN TEXAS
In 2012 the Hands-On theme was Tex Czechs. The Czechs have a wonderful presence in the state that goes back to the mid 1800s. We thought that it would be an excellent opportunity for the kids to ask why people immigrate to the United States. So we explored what Eastern Europe, Bohemia and Slovakia in particular, was like when they left in the 1850's, and what Texas was like when they got here. We enjoyed a Czech folktale "The Salt Queen" in the theater, and learned how to polka in movement!
This is the 10 minute intro to 2011's Hands On, our virtual field trip to the United Kingdom for nearly 2500 area 3rd and 4th graders in the Temple area ISDs. Hands On is a program created by the CAC Contemporaries. Byron Lovelace wrote the script and used googled photos and youtube video clips. Local star Marjie Rynearson voiced it and the Hands-On theatre's "The Bee, The Harp, The Mouse, and The BumClock". We try to cram as much as a 10 year old can absorb in 10 minutes. There is so much, and it is hard to decide what to leave out. The kids like it, and we hope you do, too.
2010's Hands-On topic was a little different than usual - Water! Talk about a huge subject! Here's the intro. This is a program for 2000+ area 3rd and 4th graders to give them a field trip to a "place" to explore for 2 hours. Thanks again to youtube for images and video clips, and to Philip Glass for the music. Note the actual run-time is less than 10 minutes - the extra is black so the proctors don't have to dash to the player to stop it before sending the kids to their next destinations. In theater the kids learned the story of "Building the Belton Dam", and in movement we had fun dancing to Splish Splash.
HANDS-ON 2009 - ALASKA
Each year Hands-On treats 2500 Temple and Belton 3rd and 4th graders to a 2 hour virtual holiday at the CAC. In 2008 we went to Spain, the year before, Egypt. 2009 is Alaska and this is the Intro the kids watch before splitting up to enjoy Gallery, Movement, Art, and Theater. Many thanks to youtube and wikipedia for clips and info. In theater we enacted the story of "Balto the Sled-dog and the Iditerod Race of Mercy", and in movement we did a blanket toss, with a doll not a kid.
HANDS-ON 2008 - SPAIN
This is 2008's Hands-On Spain Intro. The challenge is to get as much kid engaging info into 8 or 9 minutes as one can. We're still learning. Thanks to Suzanne Housewright for the script, and to youtube for maps and video clips. In theater we acted out the story of "Ferdinand the Bull", and for movement choreographer and ex-Broadway dancer Joanna Langthorn taught our teachers how to dance and teach flamenco - well, the beginnings.