27.02.2019

Carnival Parade at Beacon

This year, the faculty team got together to think about how they could create a new tradition at school to celebrate Carnival. Aiming at promoting the integration among students and adding a greater meaning to this celebrations, a mask parade was created, with banners and a dragon – both produced by 6th to 8th graders (Y6 to Y8). Early Years and Elementary School children (G5 to Y5) were in charge of producing their own masks, considering the Unit of Inquiry of each grade level.

The initiative was planned so that every student could work with the same idea, but represented in different ways. They also made everything with their own hands for a better connection with the Brazilian identity.

The historical context was present throughout the process, and children had the opportunity to learn how Carnival has been transformed over the years until reaching the format we know today. From the “Entrudo” – a party brought by the Portuguese people in the XVII century – to dances and street carnival blocks, ending with the parade of “samba” schools.

In addition to the parade for the whole school, children from Early Childhood Education (G3 to G6) also performed other activities to relate the cultural issue to the Carnival party, such as the decoration of the classrooms.

At Beacon Villa, children studied and reflected on the meaning of Carnival, how it is represented and what it takes to create this party.  First, toddlers created a list with possible ideas developed from their prior knowledge. Then, they got close to the traditional balls, props, and songs, such as the “marchinhas” (genre of music) from the “Palavra Cantada” and “Furunfunfum” groups. Considering the repertoire and further deepening in the subject, there was a ball where children could have fun and dance the “marchinhas” they had studied.

At Beacon Campus, students created a party with sustainable decoration. Instead of confetti and streamers, they made cardboard and pet bottle props. Their reflection was based on how the party grew, thus occupying new spaces, besides thinking about what are the most appropriate clothes to enjoy the party. They also had a special “Casual Day” – they could come dressed with their favorite costumes.