As our day drew to a close, we gathered indoors in the cool enclosure of our sound tent, laying down as Angus read the book, Shaman’s Apprentice, to us.
Building Machu Picchu
Our guest teaching artist, Kyle, came out to the park to lead us in a fun activity to recreate Machu Picchu! Working with stones, shrubbery, sticks, mud, and a whole lot of imagination and enthusiasm, we built a fantastic version of the sacred site.
Playing Peruvian Shamanic Drums
While we were in the park, we learned about how Peruvian shamans use music and rhythm as part of their healing. We found a quiet space in the park to listen to the rhythm of our own heartbeats; a reminder that rhythm and percussion is quite literally at the center to human life. We used … Continue reading Playing Peruvian Shamanic Drums
Nature Walk in Prospect Park
We learned that many Amazonian and Andean Peruvian communities possess a rich knowledge of plant life- for food, medicine, tools, dyeing of fabrics, and other daily needs. Spark explorers traveled through a wooded area of Prospect Park to discover new plants! The kids learned of some edible and useful wild plants that reside right here … Continue reading Nature Walk in Prospect Park
Circle Time in Peru and Decorating Shamanic Rattles
Our intrepid explorers started our tour of Peru in the Andes mountains and Amazon rainforest– both homes to a great diversity of plants and animals that are honored by many of their local peoples. We explored the Peruvian notion of harmony between man and nature- “living peacefully with nature”, as one Spark Explorer described. … Continue reading Circle Time in Peru and Decorating Shamanic Rattles
Talking feather and introduction
Today, we welcomed and celebrated the gathering of our new world-travelling Earth stewards to Spark Arts Studio!
First Day Freeplay
We started off our first day of Spark Arts Studio with a very busy and full morning free play of meeting one another and gathering for activities! Around our Peruvian centerpiece at our crafting table, new Spark Arts friends decorated their journal covers, made necklaces out of beads, and filled satchels with potpourri. Some yummy … Continue reading First Day Freeplay