Some BIG things are happening at Little Productions! From the debut of a new presentation that comes with a five day curriculum to new leadership training perfect for in-serves days.
After 2 years, Mr. Little vs. The Big Balloon is finally here! The Big question is, Why did it take so long?
Honestly, I had never tried anything like this before. As a storyteller and entertainer, I had used the power of story to not only capture the imagination of my audiences but to also educate as well as entertain. In 2003, I started my “TAKS Shows” after consulting with many Science Curriculum Directors and listening to teachers. I realized that there were some weak areas of the Science section of the TAKS test shared by 4th and 5th graders across the board throughout Texas. So I decided as an artist and entertainer to not simply ignore the TAKS Test, but I asked myself “What can I do and how can I use my creative talents to help local schools achieve better scores on the TAKS Test?” After answering that question, there was a paradigm shift in not only what I did as a performer in education but also in Little Productions. I put in motion some of my most successful Science TAKS Shows geared toward 4th-5th grades, A Tour of the Solar System and the Volcano show, I didn’t want to neglect Pre-K-2nd grades so I created the Things That Grow, and Things That Change shows. I also use an old favorite, the Pecos Bill show, that I have been performing for over 17 years to emphasize “Creative Writing” when speaking to 4th Graders.
In a nutshell, here is how climbing inside of a balloon came to be. I learned how to do this the summer of 2007. I immediately began to think of how I could bring it to Public Schools.
It wasn’t until I spoke with a science director at a local school that I found out there wasn’t enough stories using the Scientific Method or the Scientific Process. After thinking about it for a few weeks, inspiration hit me! I realized that I had the vehicle to bring this funny skill to local schools. By climbing inside the balloon students will learn through lessons and experiments about air pressure, displacement the respiratory system and even the water cycle.
Another Science Curriculum Director encouraged me to broaden my show to create a truly interactive program that would last five days. I can create not only a dynamic live performance, but also a five day curriculum with either performing live on the fourth day or appear “Live on Video”. This would come with your teachers devoting 30 minutes a day combined with team work, brainstorming, personal self-discovery, journaling, and experiments. This is the commination of two years of research, listening to the experts, and consulting individuals who are science driven.
I am looking for Test Schools, to test my exciting new show in August through September.
