Jay Mankita

Dear Jay, Thank you for the terrific Time Travel Show you performed at our school. It was a unique experience for our schoolchildren. Wish all the shows were as good as yours. It's nice there are still people out there who still care about the earth! P.S. The kids thought you were funny! - Mary Beth Delaron, Geyser Road School, Saratoga, NY

Jay Mankita has brought to our school two incredible experiences: his workshop and the Time Travel Show. In his workshops, Jay has designed a series of games and exercises that bring awareness to the present moment. Children delight in his poems/songs, and under Jay's fun and focused approach, they find inspiration to bring out their own creativity. - Juette Lenard, Cultural Committee, W. Nyack Elementary School, West Nyack, NY

Dear Jay, On behalf of over 125 parents and children who attended your performance at our library, I want to thank you for sharing your outstanding musical skills with us, as well as your knowledge of the environment. We all enjoyed your performance because it entertained, as well as informed. You definitely presented issues and ideas that are not necessarily a part of most children's concerts. It was especially fun to see the enthusiastic participation of the audience. - Eleanor Henricks, Youth Services Librarian, George F. Johnson Memorial Library

Many of my instrumental students had the unique opportunity to perform with Jay Mankita in his Amazing Time Travel Show. This program marked the culmination of his residency at Division Street School ... My students were introduced to improvisation and were invited to produce unusual sounds with their instruments to support moments in the performance. Any opportunity to explore new musical sounds and be creative with one's instrument is an adventure that I welcome for my students. They enjoyed their participation in the event which widened their horizon in music and performing. - Lucy Joseph, Instrumental Music Teacher, Division Street School, Saratoga, NY

Dear Jay, Let me take a few minutes to let you know how exciting and enjoyable your program was at Monroe Free Library. Your enthusiasm and creativity electrified our group of almost 100 children and parents. Thank you, thank you for an enjoyable and memorable show. - Barbara Spielmann, Monroe Free Library

During the week of October 7th all third and fourth grade students at Division St. School were given the opportunity to work with songwriter, humorist, storyteller, and poet, Jay Mankita. Students received three 45 minute sessions with Mr. Mankita over the course of his four-day residency. I had the pleasure of sitting in on three of these sessions with Mrs. Root's fourth grade class.

           

During the first session, Mr. Mankita presented his main theme: We can't change the past, but we can create the future we imagine by acting accordingly in the present. Through interesting scientific facts and figures students were given a sense of the infinite number of possibilities available to them not only in the world around them, but in the world within as well. "I can't" was no longer an option when students realized the vastness of the "universe" contained within the human brain. Mr. Mankita discussed the physical input to the brain via the six senses. Many students had been unaware of their kinesthetic sense. For homework, the students were asked to write a story using their senses as a source of material.

           

The next day, students learned to "translate" their homework assignments at sight from past to present tense. It was a way for everyone to experience the excitement of "time travel." It was also a creative way for students to experience the "power of the moment." Students were eager to read aloud and share their learning process with Mr. Mankita and the rest of the class. Later, students learned how to apply the brain's model of networking to their writing. Their homework assignment was to create a web of word associations starting with one sense-oriented word. To close the session, Mr. Mankita shared a fun song to teach about cliches.

           

During the final session students took their word webs and created stories "on the spot," "without thinking," using only the words in the web. They were encouraged to use words in new and different (especially unconventional) ways, to include dialogue, and to keep the story moving. It was a challenging

exercise that the students both welcomed and enjoyed. I have never seen them so eager to share and I never dreamed they were capable of such quality creativity. It was enlightening for all!

         

In addition, the students listened to some "mystery music." Mr. Mankita asked the students to tell him what they thought the woman was singing about. The varied responses were used to heighten the students' awareness and sensitivity to individual interpretation. Students learned that interpretation doesn't necessarily equal "reality." This was an invaluable lesson in opening their minds to new possibilities.

           

Mr. Mankita returned on Wednesday, October 16th, to present his Amazing Time Travel Show to the entire school. His work with the second year instrumental students prior to the show was absolutely wonderful. Not only did the students explore new musical sounds, but they improvised freely, learned to follow cues, and performed a great samba rhythm ensemble accompaniment to Mr. Mankita's rap. Since their experience with the Amazing Time Travel Show, these students have been stronger leaders in classroom discussion and more confident in their creativity.

           

I think the message of Mr. Mankita's Amazing Time Travel Show was highly relevant. It was a creative way to impress upon children the importance of acting responsibility in the present in order to create a beautiful new future for themselves, as well as for generations to come. It warned about the potential dangers of becoming over-automated. Mr. Mankita's recycling of materials for the use of costumes, props, and set was an excellent spark for the students' imagination. I believe the show is the result of one man's genuine and heartfelt effort to make the world a better place for everyone.

           

During his residency at Division St. School, Mr. Mankita tied together art, science, music, environmental awareness, and creative writing in an imaginative and meaningful way. There were no traditional boundaries to the subject areas and learning was integrated as it should be. His presence here was the perfect kick-off for our year-long, school-wide "Imagination!" theme.