12.02.2021

Carnival 2021

Beacon is a bilingual school that offers international education while valuing its Brazilian roots. Carnival is one of the most important popular festivities in our culture. Therefore, its highly relevant educational content. Its importance as an element that makes up the Brazilian identity is undeniable, a national ritual that had the spotlight and previous work planned by educators even in the face of the pandemic scenario.

From Early Childhood Education to High School, we used research strategies in various knowledge areas such as Music, Arts, Portuguese Language, and Brazilian Culture. During the weeks preceding Carnival, Grade 1 students (Y1), for example, talked about the origin of this celebration and its manifestations and street parties in different countries. Together, they sang and danced to the marching song “Ô Abre Alas,” celebrating this rich cultural expression. The students also had the opportunity to start a mask project in art classes. We asked them to use their creativity to think of imaginary creatures they would like to represent. Using different materials and supports, they could start their planning phase for these masks, which soon took shape!

The Grade 3 (Y3) groups discussed the meaning of the songs’ words as part of the Carnival’s marchinhas genre investigation. They investigated this festivity’s different manifestations and celebrations across the regions of Brazil. The students also researched the celebration’s adaptation to current conditions. At one of the Portuguese language online meetings, we invited everyone to come dressed with masks or in costumes of their choice.

At the Villa Unit, we invited the little ones to listen to some rhythms like Frevo and Maracatu and create and decorate banners and masks, which later hung in the school spaces. We used several strategies to keep this celebration safe and, at the same time, entertaining. The children could come to school wearing a costume, and each class had its own “Carnival Ball” only with colleagues and teachers of the same bubble.

Beacon students celebrated this special event with music, art, and joy!