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DocuSign Envelope ID:220566FB-947D-468C-B639-17D506BDD642 <br /> January 30, 2015 <br /> To Whom It May Concern, <br /> I would like to tell you my experience with the Carrboro Arts Center as an Early Childhood <br /> Teacher. I teach in a Title I school in rural Orange County North Carolina. My classroom is an <br /> inclusion classroom including many children who are English Language Learners, are experiencing a <br /> "classroom" for the first time, who may have identified developmental concerns and often are <br /> considered to live in poverty. <br /> Through the dedication of the Arts Center staff to bring the arts to all children they provided <br /> through grant funding, the opportunity for my students to have experiences in music and live theater <br /> production. I have been able to give my students these experiences for the last 2 years because of this <br /> grant funding. Our experiences centered around a piece of literature. This year the story was Rainbow <br /> Fish. The children were given the opportunity to have a local musician come to the classroom 5 times <br /> and introduce them to his string instruments. Mr. Pettee read the story of Rainbow Fish to the children <br /> while incorporating his instruments. He created a song with the children around the characters in the <br /> story which included teaching points in literacy as well as math at each meeting. <br /> The big day arrived for us to travel on the bus to see the production of Rainbow Fish. We do a <br /> lot of pretending in pre-school but this was the first live musical production for the majority of my <br /> students. I would have to say that this may be my most memorable experience of the school year. I sat <br /> in a row with 14 four and five year olds who did not move for an hour! They were completely engaged <br /> in the "live" characters of the story they knew so well. The acting troupe brought the story to life <br /> creating a most real and vivid conclusion to our study of the story Rainbow Fish. Myself and my <br /> assistant teachers were smiling and laughing completely enjoying the play which was a great treat for <br /> us too!! <br /> Funding is limited for early childhood programs in our state. We are so fortunate to have the <br /> Arts Center provide this valuable learning experience for our students and I look forward to what we <br /> will be able to participate in next year through the dedication of the Arts Center staff in providing well <br /> planned and educational experiences for all children in Orange County. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Pam Zornick M.Ed,NBCT <br /> New Hope Elementary School <br /> Chapel Hill, NC 27514 <br />