DreamYard MINIs

We are a K-5th grade Social Justice Arts Education aftershcool program. We focus on Theatre, Visual Art, Dance, Chorus, Capoeira, and the Creative Arts. For more info call 718.588.8007 ext. 216 or visit Dreamyard.com

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Storyboard by DY Intern Isaac Espinoza. His storyboard approach was used to help students develop their artist statements for the project “Art in Protest.” 

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“Art in Protest” project continues and the students have crafted some amazing quotes. “Together We Rise” by DY Minis Nicole. “Make love not war” “Freedom” “For my parents”

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Students spent a month preparing for their community sharing learning about the connects between the civil rights movement and the movements today. They created their own vintage posters out of coffee and sumi ink

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Draft #video of the #dyminis creating their own #harlemrenaissance instruments. The class inspired their work by artist like Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington (featured), Louis Armstrong and many more. A follow-up video with the students voice over in the near future.

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What are the instruments played by #jazz artists? How did #jazz make it to #NY ? Students explore the #HarlemRenaissance by making their own instruments.

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#DYMinis explored history and identity through #africanmasks to create their own #masks with their own narrative. #Students gave superpowers to their masks and among some of those powers were #confidence and #happiness

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#DYMinis learn about #poet #counteecullen and his #poem #heyblackchild  | Students drew inspiration from poetry to answer questions of identity and their self then presented their words to the class.

Resource: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/countee-cullen

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What is the meaning of a #sketchbook? It is #personal , it is a place for #learning , #documentation , #vulnerability , a #journey and so many more things. #DreamYardMinis begin their sketchbook journey learning about hatching techniques for their future projects. Photo Credit: Isaac Espinoza, DY Intern. Featured artist: Emily Delgado

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Opening Week with the 4th and 5th Grade Minis!

In an #exercise to get to know each other, #students practiced #blindcontourdrawings The students were tasked to draw #portraits of their classmates without looking. The exercise also began the momentum of #self-identity and capturing #emotions 

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The Importance of Art in Child Development

In recent years, school curricula in the United States have shifted heavily toward common core subjects of reading and math, but what about the arts? Although some may regard art education as a lux...

#artseducation #early childhood #development #arts

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In light of the MINIs’ work against Islamophobia- the fear of Islam culture and people, it is exciting to hear that Sesame Street has created its first Islamic, girl, character! Sesame Street has been around for decades and is a big promoter of early childhood education. Take a look at Zari, Sesame Street’s new character!

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/meet-zari-sesame-streets-new-female-afghan-puppet/ 

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The Week of the Young Child™ is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers and families.    

#oneweek #letsdoit! #dyminis #earlychildhood #education #naeyc

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(via 10 children's books that feature diverse characters)

“I think it’s really important for kids to see themselves in literature.”

-Ann Marie Wong, editorial director of the Scholastic Reading Club

#earlychildhoodeducation #brownandblack #awarenessmatters #culturalawareness #racialawareness #literature

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Hey Folks!

The MINIs have been learning about Islamophobia during Empower Hour, our Social Justice class. Islamophobia is the dislike of or prejudice against Islam or Muslims, especially as a political force. 

The MINIs explored the Five Pillars of Islam. The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework of the Muslim life.  They are the testimony of faith, prayer, givin gzakat (support of the needy), fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime for those who are able. In exploring the Five Pillars of Islam, the MINIs created their own pillars. See above!

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Teaching Artist in the Spotlight:

Marcus Jordan, the MINIs’ Chorus’ TA, has been a part of our community for a little over 4 months and the DreamYard family for over a year and a half. 

Mr. Jordan transforms your “typical” chorus class, into something revolutionary. His vision of chorus as an art form and activism tool transforms his choir every Friday... “Chorus brings text and melody together; those two things make a profound statement. Chorus is one idea said by many people. It shows diversity and togetherness. Chorus shows that we are all different-- races, gender, identity, but it also shows the ability for people to sing on one track. It is an example of what the world could be if we all stepped back and recognized we all can be one.”

When asked what inspires him to create as an artist, Mr. Jordan responds without hesitation, “Communication and to express human-ness. The ability to express the human condition to find the connection between human beings and to express the beauty of being a human.” 

It can be said that Mr. Jordan’s passion as an artist is a driving force that challenges him to grow and be a better teaching artist for his students. Mr. Jordan speaks on his kryptonite: “Empathy, even though I love it; it is the reason that I love to teach, but it can also make me feel overwhelmed or hypersensitive. It makes me ask, ‘How can I move forward?’ or ‘How can I be better for my students?’”

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The MINIs recently released its first news letter! We are super excited to share it with you all. The news letter highlights the MINIs’ milestones and gives you a glimpse of our community’s culture. We hope that you enjoy reading and learning more about the MINIs, as much as we enjoyed putting this piece together!

dyminis artsedu dyartcenter socialjustice diegorivera pearlprimus junejordan visualart dance poetry​

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Teaching Artist in the Spotlight:

Mr. Neil Dawson is no stranger to our MINIs community. He has been the Theatre T.A. (Teaching Artist) since the very beginning of the MINIs program! When asked what is his drive as the MINIs’ Theatre T.A. , Mr.Neil replies, “Kids have a lot of energy. I have to match their energy. So as much as I teach them, I also learn from them.” 

Mr. Neil’s Theatre Class has, collectively, scripted a play about Bob Marley. Towards the end of December, the MINIs 2nd-3rd graders, will be  performing what they have put together! Mr. Neil hopes to introduce the MINIs to other artivist (activist and artist) such as Nina Simone. His goal is to share his knowledge on different artivist who are known for their art, globally, but whose work is not different from the work that the MINIs are producing.