1c. Poetry and Music Teatime

Poetry and music appreciation

Through poetry written for children, this group will introduce appreciation of language, rhythm, meter, and imagery, in the contemplative and soothing setting of a circle time with tea. This term we have added a musical component to teatime as well! We will listen to poetry for kids, and complete an activity (game, song, craft) that complements the poetic theme of the week.  Finally, we will produce a collective chapbook.  In honor of Nikki Giovanni we will focus this term on her awesome compilation: "Hip-Hop Speaks to Children!"

We will have simple herbal tea each week. Instructor will check in with families, but likely mint, hibiscus, chamomile, etc. 

Instructor: Gwendolyn Bright

Painter, poet, and mama to Matilde Zadie and Gideon Apollo, Gwen is a California native full-spectrum doula with an insatiable need to plug into storytelling of all kinds. She is the founder of Bright Birthing and has attended many births in and out of hospital since 2010 (close to 90 at last count). Gwen's first work with editing literary magazines began in middle school, continued through high school, and led to her founding of The Empty Set literary magazine at New College of Florida. Gwen went on to work as an intern at McSweeney's Publishing (home of McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, the Believer Magazine, and many wonderful books). Along with a BA in literature and religion and work toward a Masters in traditional Chinese medicine, Gwen's additional studies have included Prenatal Yoga Teacher training; Prenatal Massage; Trauma to Triumph with Nurture in Richmond; and Penny Simkin's When Survivors Give Birth. In 2018 Gwen completed postpartum doula training with Nearby Baby. Most recently Gwen has completed coursework through San Francisco Zen Center in chronic pain and chronic illness, and is studying with Yolonda Coles Jones in a program called Design Your Family’s Education Reality. Gwen is working on a second collection of poetry, homeschooling her kiddos, and helping to coordinate the Novo Collegian Alliance.

Instructor: Rebecca Reilly

I've been teaching piano lessons in Charlottesville since I was a student at UVa 20 years ago. At UVa, I majored in Music and earned my Master's of Teaching in Elementary Education. I taught 6th grade math at JJMS after graduating. I feel like I've been homeschooling my kids since they were born, but we truly started "school" in 2019. My family loves CHEC and I can't wait to get to play with more of the community through our classes together :)