Used by over 500 Michigan schools as a means to improve MEAP scores by using songs, speeches,and creative role playing.
NAPOLEON - Mark Palms knows the healing power of music.
The Eby Elementary School music teacher in Napoleon has led his students in song ever since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"We'd sing songs about our country, and this was our way of dealing with the feelings and reactions to this awful tragedy and what our country is going through," Palms said.
"I think it's given the kids the feeling that they're doing something that's positive. Our staff has been impressed with the way the students have responded. The music seems to have had a calming and healing effect on them."
On some days, the Eby students would sing "America the Beautiful" and a Palms composition, the "Core Democratic Values Song," with enormous enthusiasm, while on other days, they sat silently listening to folk singer Kitty Donohoe's "There Are No Words."
Before long, Palms orchestrated an American for Justice and Peace all-school assembly at which students performed patriotic songs and read essays and poems they had written about "Why I Love My Country."
Donohoe accepted an invitation to sing "There Are No Words." Fourth-graders created a 20-foot card, signed by everyone, to send to New York City firefighters. Students donated more than $400 for the children of Afghanistan. A volunteer from the Salvation Army told a story about her work at Ground Zero. Local firefighters and police officers were invited, along with state Se. Phil Hoffman.
The highlight for Palms came during an encore performance for parents the next evening when the children and audience joined in the chorus of Donohoe's song:
"There are no words, there is no song, there is no balm that can heal these wounds that will last a lifetime long, and when the stars burn to dust, hand in hand we will stand because we must."Teachersongs Publishing Co.
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