Susana and Timmy Abell

Common Core standards modeled in our performances include “writing narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events…” ( W.3-Text Types and Purposes) as well as “producing clear and coherent writing …appropriate to task, purpose, and audience” (W.4- Production and Distribution of Writing). We encourage educators to use our accompanying performance study guide to support these standards. Concert/workshop combinations delve more deeply into the Common Core Standards for Writing as students produce their own songs and stories through “developing and strengthening writing as needed by planning revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach”(W.5 – Production and Distribution of Writing). We also address multiple Anchor Standards for Speaking and Listening such as “preparing and participating effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on other’s ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively” (SL.1 – Comprehension and Collaboration), and “making strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations (SL.5 – Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas).

We invite audiences to “understand the interacting elements to respond to music and music performances” (Music-MR.1) as well as demonstrating the ways that “music is used in customs and traditions of various cultures” (Music-CR.1). In addition, we offer multiple gateways to the Social Studies curriculum, specifically “understanding the impact of various cultural groups in North Carolina” (Social Studies 4.C.1). Our puppetry and storytelling segments offer opportunities for students to “analyze literary texts and performances” (Theatre Arts A.1) as well as teaching the ways that “movement, voice, and writing communicate ideas and feelings” (Theatre Arts C.1).