2025/4/9 2nd Grade by Fran

I had two great tours today with second graders! I didn’t even have to adjust from one to the next. I tried an activity that had been rolling around in my head. We discussed the art/science connection with Cai’s work. I had them experiment with their heartbeat (pulse on the neck): count the resting beats for 15 seconds and record on the clipboard. Then, they ran in place for about 1.5 minutes and counted the beats (15 seconds). We discussed the difference, increase/decrease, and what would have accounted for that increase. They gave examples such as fear, activity, nervousness, etc. We then watched the video of Cai sitting in the middle of the explosion (Fetus Movement II: Project for ETs No.9. I explained the process he went through to record his body’s reactions and then showed them the electrocardiogram/seismogram and discussed the results. 

At the Annunciation, I had the students choose one of the panels to study and determine if they could find an animal, person, etc., within the panel. They then drew what they envisioned on their clipboard and shared it aloud.

Finally, at Palmyra, I asked the students to divide one of their papers into four sections and label them: See, Hear, Smell, and Feel. They then “jumped” into the work and, proceeding one by one, recorded their reaction to each sense. The interesting responses include “feeling lonely,” “hearing loud explosions,” “smelling smoke,” and “seeing dust.” They all had some very astute responses to this work. I asked one group what they thought the artist was trying to say, and one boy thought that he was trying to show that war and destruction are not good.

We ended with the Return to Darkness and the construction/deconstruction/reconstruction of the Mandala.

Reflection (what would you do differently?):
This was such a good tour, and I don’t think I’d do anything differently.

Comments & Suggestions:
My fellow docents today, Eiko, Jeanne, and Randy, were great and seemed to enjoy their tours. Lonnie, as usual, ran a smooth and tight ship. Thanks to all.