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Lime Hollow Nature Center
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Lime Hollow’s field trips offer standards-aligned, hands-on opportunities for students throughout Central NY to connect with the nature world and the concept they are learning in school. Field trips are inter-disciplinary and align with standards across curriculum including science, math, language arts, social studies, and social emotional learning. Each field trip is led by trained environmental educators with the support of the participating school’s teachers and volunteers.
Jacqueline Sweeney
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I offer hands-on creative writing workshops in poetry and prose (3-5 days each---3 workshops per day---across a chosen grade level, where each class gets 3-5 visits each). I meet with teachers to discuss their curriculum needs and thematic requests, suggesting various workshop ideas tailored to their requests. Teachers then choose what works best for them---for example: Assistance with reluctant writers, adding details, word choice, adjective strength, voice---in whatever current learning theme is paramount, such as animals, environment, feelings, character development, social studies, etc. I support teachers throughout the residency where they will be present and interact whenever their insight is needed as I teach. During and after the residency, I check in (over lunch, etc.) to ascertain how teachers are feeling about their students' progress, and also to offer many resources from both my books, stories, poems, and teacher oriented publications (nine books with Scholastic Professional Books for teachers) where they might copy any lessons they wish to use in the future. I also offer follow-up ideas at the end of every residency for those who wish to continue using the writing "tools/ideas" I present to their students. And there are always numerous options! I love to work with the core levels to help develop a stronger writing momentum with students (for example, 2nd grades in fall, same students in 3rd grade with different themes/format the following year, 4th grade added on or begun simultaneously--always building on previous workshop skills, etc. Districts have booked me in various schools for 25 plus years, often having me conduct workshops from year to year in multiple levels, as teachers love the support and boost my energy brings to their classrooms and students from which they springboard after I leave. The sky's the limit! I am here to serve educationally and creatively.
Mindful Yoga With Liz
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At Mindful Yoga With Liz, we bring the benefits of yoga and mindfulness directly into schools, helping children of all ages build focus, confidence, and emotional resilience. Through playful movement, breathwork, and guided relaxation, students learn tools to manage stress, regulate their emotions, and cultivate kindness toward themselves and others. Our programs are age-appropriate and engaging, combining storytelling, games, and interactive activities to make learning fun while supporting social-emotional growth. Teachers also benefit by learning strategies to manage classroom energy, foster a calm environment, and support students’ well-being—helping the whole school community thrive.
Davis Bates: Songs & Stories for Everyone
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Davis’ programs are designed to educate and to celebrate diversity and community, to get audiences of all ages singing along, and to inspire participants to remember and share their own stories with each other and their families. They also promote literacy and cultural awareness. Davis is known for his humor, his ability to engage, his repertoire of familiar and interestingly new songs and stories, and his professionalism. Programs include a variety of ethnic percussion instruments, including guiro, shekere, bells, spoons and a dancing wooden limbergjack dog named Bingo. For almost 45 years now Davis has shared thousands of performances at schools, libraries, senior centers and community settings throughout the northeast. His recording, Family Stories, won a prestigious Parents Choice Magazine Gold Award, was named one of the years best audio recordings of by the American Library Association’s Booklist Magazine and is available for download for free on his website. Specific programs include Under One Sky, Earth Rhythms, This Land is Your Land, Imagine That, Celebrating the Season, Sea Songs & Stories and a variety of interactive workshops. "Davis is thoughtful, creative, human and a fantastic storyteller" - Pete & Toshi Seeger.
Alejandro Becerra
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I coordinate Onondaga Lake education experiences for elementary and middle school students. The lake field trips involve hands-on learning stations that include fishing, water quality testing, a nature walk to learn about the ecosystem, a local history lesson related to Onondaga Lake, and an integrated art project.
Jeff Fortais
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A Day in the Life of a Colonial Minuteman Step outside the classroom and step back in time to the year 1775, when ordinary farmers, tradesmen, and fathers were called upon to defend their homes and communities as colonial minutemen. This hands-on presentation will introduce fourth-grade students to what life was like for a colonial minuteman during the American Revolution. The experience will take place outdoors and will allow students to see, touch, taste, and experience history rather than simply read about it. To begin the presentation, each student will receive an original colonial-era artifact to carefully hold and examine. The students will be asked to observe the object and describe what they think it might have been used for before the speaker reveals its purpose and explains its importance to everyday life in colonial America. Students will then be introduced to the living conditions of a minuteman. A period-style A-frame tent will be set up nearby, allowing students to enter and experience the simple shelter a soldier might have used while away from home. Real period foods and typical colonial rations will also be displayed. Students will learn about the kinds of foods a minuteman might have carried or eaten, including the challenges of preserving, transporting, and preparing food during the Revolutionary War. The speaker will next explain the clothing worn by a colonial soldier, describing each item and why it was useful. Students will see and learn about the layers of clothing, footwear, hat, accoutrements, and other personal equipment that a minuteman would have carried. Particular attention will be given to the equipment necessary for military service, including the important role of the musket. The speaker will explain how the musket worked, how it was carried, and why it was such an important part of a soldier's equipment. The presentation will then move from everyday life to the experience of serving in the Revolutionary War. Students will learn that many minutemen were not professional soldiers. They were members of their local communities who could be called upon to serve when danger threatened. The speaker will discuss the sacrifices these men made by leaving their families, farms, and jobs to serve the cause of independence. Finally, the presentation will conclude with an interactive demonstration, the students will form a line and experience what it was like to receive payment for military service. Each student will be given a piece of Continental currency as payment for his or her "service." This activity will provide an opportunity to discuss what money looked like during the Revolutionary War and how soldiers were compensated for their service. By combining authentic artifacts, period clothing and equipment, food, a tent, Continental currency, and hands-on activities, this presentation will bring the world of the colonial minuteman to life. Students will leave with a better understanding of not only what a minuteman wore, carried, and ate, but also the sacrifices ordinary people made during the struggle for American independence.
Capital Ceramic Supply
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Marica Monori and Patrick Durkin (owners of Capital Ceramic Supply) offer a deep dive workshop into ceramics, firings, with an emphasis on wood-firings. The workshop consists of lecture time (a slideshow about the different types of clay and firings/kilns, all things wood-firing related), a question and answer section, and a 30 minute of hands-on work for students with wood-fire clay that we provide. Later on their creations will be fired in our wood kiln then returned to them as a unique piece of art and memory.
Hull Family Home & Farmstead
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We offer a broad array of experiences to visitors through a variety of methods to encourage understanding and appreciation of the multifaceted story of a pioneer family in WNY. We strive to develop a ‘hands-on’ experience for visitors. From this site, the only fully restored stone dwelling of the early 1800's in Erie county, 200 years of history can be told through the Hull family – the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 & the burning of Buffalo, the opening and impact of the Erie Canal, early pioneer life, the Abolitionist movement, and much more on into the 20th century. Learn about the rich history of the Hull family and their role in shaping the local community! Student field trips to the Hull Family Home & Farmstead are being scheduled from May through October. Currently, we offer interactive lessons which align with the New York State Social Studies Framework for Grades 4 and 7, but we can also work with you to develop a trip tailored to your specific needs and interests.
Magical Memories Entertainment
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Magical Memories Entertainment is a national entertainment provider and event experience consultant, helping event organizers source, curate and create unforgettable experiences through performers, interactive games and unique entertainment.
Ait Said Creations
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I am a sewist who makes bags and clothing. I love teaching others the basics of sewing and even getting into more advanced bag making. I am able to do live demonstration or run a workshop.
Second Generation Theatre
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Second Generation Theatre offers a variety of paid and free theatre arts and dance education to students aged 5 through adulthood! Whether you have a child who loves to sing and dance, a student who is looking to stretch their creativity and make new friends while building new skills, or you are an adult who wants to jump back into dance, Second Generation Theatre Academy is for you!
Box Out Bullying
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Box Out Bullying brings the curtain down on bullying with innovative assemblies aligned with the NYS Dignity Act. Imagine a high-production value presentation packed with cutting-edge, interactive elements that maximize the message's impact! We bring everything needed to deliver a powerful experience, including professional set pieces, sound equipment, and all the resources to keep students engaged. Age-Appropriate Impact: We understand the evolving challenges students face at different stages. That's why our meticulously tailored assemblies cater to lower level elementary, upper level elementary, middle school, and high school audiences. Age-appropriate content ensures the message resonates, avoids confusion, and empowers students with the specific tools they need to navigate their social landscape. Box Out Bullying goes beyond the stage. We offer a comprehensive approach to bullying prevention with parent workshops, faculty professional development, and artist-in-residence programs. Contact Box Out Bullying today and let's create a standing ovation for a safe and respectful learning environment!