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School Programs
Playtivity offers a variety of character building, age appropriate "playshops" that are designed specifically for schools. Our programs include single classroom visits, assemblies, artist residencies and teacher in-services for any grade level. Everything we do in the schools has been developed with the Early Childhood Program Standards and school curriculums in mind and are highly inclusive for students with special needs. Playtivity will provide instruments for up to 100 students and we provide various resource materials for teachers and fun, related project ideas for the students.
 "Craig and Virginia were very energetic. They had about 60 children and 12 teachers engaged for an hour of drumming, playing different instruments and dancing with scarves. The children did not want to stop dancing after the performance was done. This was one of the best music and movement events at M.L. King Early Learning Center, highly entertaining. Thanks again for all your dedication on working with children."
Gerardo Ramos, Director- Early Learning Center at Martin Luther King Elementary School, Hartford, CT
Character Building Drum Circles
Borrowing from the ancient tradition of gathering in circle, students will participate in this lively, multicultural adventure. We take you on a musical journey, playing traditional songs from around the globe, creating our own rhythms, taking turns leading and experiencing improvisation, creative movement and dance. The drum circle is used as a metaphor for many positive life skills including principles of respect, leadership, teamwork, cooperation, listening and communication skills as well as musical and cultural awareness.
 This program is highly inclusive for students with special needs and is a great opportunity for mainstreaming. We engage the group in dynamic conversation and give everyone a chance to express themselves verbally and musically.
Our programs include elements of cultural diversity and creative expression which boost group cohesion and self esteem in a fun, musical activity. We give everyone the tools to succeed!
The program is 50-60 minutes in length. It is appropriate for single classroom presentations or entire grade assemblies for up to 100 students. By varying the content, we can engage any grade, K-12 and integrate various themes to custom design a program for your school.
We also offer on-going artist residency programs to provide small group workshops for a variety of intended outcomes.
Click here to check out a song from a CD we recorded at the New Britain Museum of Art with visually impaired students from the Oak Hill LEEP program.
Science of Sound
 The "Science of Sound" comes alive as Playtivity brings elementary aged students through a participatory experience of music, movement, art and scientific experiments! Students will see rhythms unfold before their eyes; experience rhythms of the body, the earth and the universe; hear and feel the vibrations of different sounds; experience inertia through creative movement and do an art project that has them interpret the colors and shapes of music. This program can be adapted as an assembly, a series of classroom workshops or as an extended residency. It can be geared towards second to fifth grade with different age appropriate segments. A video projector is requested for this program.
One Heart/One World
 "One Heart/One World" has been developed to present a multicultural tour de force that gives students a chance to participate in a variety of ways. Beginning with Native American ceremony and ending with an African drum and dance celebration, this participatory event is engaging from start to finish. In between, students will experience Israeli folk dance, play or dance to Dominican Meringue and Hawaiian Hula rhythms and participate in a Russian or Mayan musical storytelling.
Students learn about cultural diversity in a fun, creative situation in which they are contributing every step of the way. Throughout the program, children get to sing, dance and play African, Latin and Native American traditional songs and rhythms.
The program is :60 minutes in length. It is appropriate for single classroom presentations or entire grade assemblies for up to 100 students in grades K-4 and special education classes of all ages and abilities.
Rhythms of Life
Rhythms of Life, an uplifting, participatory storytelling event designed as an elementary school artist in residency, assembly or in-class program. Incorporating theater, music and dance, this life-affirming, multicultural program embodies positive life skills throughout. The story was created by Craig Norton of Playtivity and based on the real-life childhood experiences of Babatunde Olatunji growing up in Nigeria, West Africa. Children contribute to the program by playing, singing and dancing along and the finale is a fun, participatory musical event.
 This program is designed as a weeklong residency with daily 45 minute class sessions that teach students about Babatunde Olatunji and the rich culture of West Africa. Students create Adikra cloth costumes and set decorations and every student gets a part to play in the story which gets presented on stage for the entire school and parents.
Rhythms of Life can also be presented as a single 60 minute performance. It is appropriate for single classroom presentations or entire grade assemblies for up to 100 students in grades K-4. We also offer African drumming workshops in addition to the storytelling. In a fun, participatory format, children learn traditional African and improvised songs, rhythms and dances.
"The week long residency provided a fun learning experience for our students. They truly enjoyed learning their parts and preparing for the performance. The whole school and the families of our first graders were able to enjoy their hard work as the first graders told the story of young Baba Olatunji through rhythm, song, and dance. It was a wonderful experience thanks for all your hard work and preparation to make it fun for the kids. You were very patient with the children and it was clear that you wanted each child to feel successful and be a part of the residency from start to finish."
Donna Corcoran, Webster Hill School
Creature Teachers
Based on the Native American tradition of teaching with stories, Creature Teachers is an enlightening elementary school program that incorporates storytelling and puppet theater with participatory music and dance. The story was created by Virginia Anderson of Playtivity and is based on the Native belief that the ways of animals contain important life lessons. Children contribute to the program by playing drums and percussion, singing and dancing along. After the story, they learn Native American and improvised songs and rhythms. If time allows, an interactive "Talking Circle" session follows giving children a chance to express their thoughts about what animals can teach us.
 This program is appropriate for single classroom presentations in grades K-3 and special education classes. The program is :60 minutes in length. We also offer a related artist in residency
program that includes a Creature Teachers presentation in multiple classes and several hands on Native American arts and crafts projects. These include making traditional Native American shields, dream catchers and talking sticks. During the sessions, we would discuss historical and cultural context.
"What a fabulous experience you provided for the children of Preston Veterans' Memorial School this past month! From the storytelling to the rhythmic drumming to the interactive group experiences - it was an overwhelming appreciation of Native American culture and a wonderful assembly that our students and staff won't soon forget. From the moment everyone entered the gymnasium to the moment they left, it was a true celebration of many approaches to learning. We are so thankful that the Preston Public Library recommended you to share your tremendous talents. I would highly recommend you to other elementary schools and would welcome you back in Preston for another unique program."
Nan Haslam - Principal, Veterans' Memorial School, Preston, CT
Teacher In-Service
Using the drum circle as a catalyst for team building, Playtivity will give teachers and administrators a chance to communicate and bond in a non-judgmental, non-verbal way. Our team building sessions are fun and engaging, giving everyone a chance to express themselves creatively while creating group cohesiveness. Conference themes can be integrated into our program.
We now offer block-booking discounts! If you know another nearby school, library or camp that might be interested in a Playtivity event on the same day? Give us a call and if it works out, both events will receive a 10% discount.
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