Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/912628
"IT TEACHES SO MANY THINGS. STUDENTS LEARN LANGUAGE, MUSIC, TEAMWORK, FOCUS, DISCIPLINE AND PRACTICE. IT BUILDS THEIR CONFIDENCE." the characters find themselves trapped or stuck emotionally. It's not difficult to get my students to relate to these things." Music helps. For the upcoming produc- tion of The Tempest, an accompanying song will be Nick Lowe's "Cruel to Be Kind," which ref lects the struggle of a character who owes his life to someone, and then is called ungrateful for wanting his freedom. e group of 25 to 30 students rehearse four days a week for 90 minutes at a time. Garrison teaches guitar and drums before school, and has former students teach keyboard to oth er students, many of whom have never played a note in their lives before signing up. "ere really isn't one type of student who participates," says Garrison. "We've had som e w onder ful actors w ho can speak super well, and others who you can barely hear and understand. We've had amazing musicians perform a full concerto on their own, and some who can barely play two notes in a row. We've had English learners â one of them was a lead character last year. e great thing is wrote a letter thanking him for the expe- rience that transformed her life. "It's hard to let go of something that has changed everything about me. I will miss Room 26 and Shakespeare. But as Dr. Seuss says, 'Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.' " e program is very popular, but Gar- rison recalls that when he first suggested it, others looked at him askance. "ey thought combining Shakespeare and rock was interesting. But it teaches so many things. Students learn language, music, teamwork, focus, discipline and practice. They understand Shakespeare better for their PSAT and SAT. It builds their confidence." Garrison is excited as work gets under way for The Tempest, a story of reconcil- iation and forgiveness that is especially timely in today 's climate. Students will perform their production multiple times at the end of the school year. "I 'm ver y proud of my students," he says. "And if Shakespeare were here today, he'd think what we do is pretty cool." MONEY TO FULFILL YOUR DREAMS S E V E R A L E D U C A T O R S featured in this section received grants from CTA's Institute for Teaching in support of their innovative projects. If you've got a great idea for your students, IFT wants to hear from you! The deadline for 2018-19 grant applications is April 30, 2018. All active, dues-paying CTA members, includ- ing pre-Kâ12 teachers, certificated support staff, ESP members and college instructors, are eligible to apply. The selection committee looks for projects that improve student achievement , address needs of diverse or at-risk students, and have multiple partners/stakeholders, along with applicants who can manage the project and share learnings with colleagues. Apply at teacherdrivenchange.org. Get IFT input on your application and hear from grant recipients at the Teaching Innovation Expo prior to CTA's Good Teaching Conferences North and South; see ctago.org for dates. that there's something for everyone, and all students can contribute and be part of a team, whether it's performing, working the sound and light system, or dancing." L a st year, stud ent Isab el l a Barron Garrison says students can easily relate to characters' problems and issues in Shakespeare's plays. Music, of course, helps. 30 cta.org Paul Garrison