Global Festivals
Based on the latest and best brain research, our Integrated Experiential Learning approach means that no subject is taught in a silo. Cross-curricular experiences lead to a deeper understanding of all subject areas. Through our signature Global Cultural History program and festivals, students explore diverse perspectives and develop a global awareness, integrating core subjects with the arts. Our two largest festivals of the year are El Día de los Muertos in the fall and Masquerade in the spring. Additionally, throughout the year we hold a variety of other festivals including Asia Around the World, the Literary Festival, Holi, Winter Festival, and the African American Cultural Celebration.
Día de los Muertos
El Día de los Muertos is one of the most unique and vibrant traditions at Seven Arrows. It is a celebration of life and death, honoring those who came before us and have since passed.
Prior to the Festival, our students focus on learning the rich history and traditions of Latin America, through research projects, writing assignments, presentations, folk-inspired art projects, traditional songs and dances. This area of our curriculum culminates in an extraordinary El Día de los Muertos celebration including student performances and an evening street fiesta featuring live music, culture, arts, authentic Latin foods, and more.
Each year, our students’ curriculum deepens in an age appropriate way. In Kindergarten, they are given a broad introduction to the celebration, as students eagerly await to decorate calaveritas de azúcar, or sugar skulls, with their Sixth Grade buddies. In Third Grade, they hone into the meaning of specific elements of Día including the figure of La Catrina and the flower of cempasúchil. By Sixth Grade, their course of study expands to encompass the history of this celebration, the traditions and beliefs, and most importantly, our link between the past and the present.
Masquerade
The best example of our Integrated Experiential Approach is Masquerade. In this project, each grade studies a different notable period in history. Then students choose a character to embody, research and write a report, design a historically accurate costume, create the costume with the help of parents at our sewing atelier, and distill the written report into a brief dramatic monologue that they will perform for the community. The integration of these projects touch every subject: Writing, Global Cultural History, Art, Design, Mathematics, and Performance.
Research shows that when children have an opportunity to make choices in learning, which they do as they choose their Masquerade characters year after year, it keeps them engaged and builds lifelong knowledge. Encouraging choice is one way we ensure that students stay excited and engaged throughout all the years of their elementary school experience.
Subjects by Grade
The Stone Age | Kindergarten
Gods & Goddesses | 1st Grade
Keepers of the Earth | 2nd Grade
Medieval Times | 3rd Grade
The Renaissance | 4th Grade
Significant Americans | 5th Grade
Global Game Changers | 6th Grade
Alphadon (Stone Age Marsupial): Kindergarten
Blacksmith: Third Grade
George Washington: Fifth Grade
More Moments From Masquerade
Additional Annual Festivals
ASIA AROUND THE WORLD
Our Asia Around the World Festival falls near Lunar New Year and is a magical experience and extensive celebration – one that truly serves to honor family, ritual, cultural foods, arts, and community.
Our students learn and engage in many projects and rituals in honor of the diversity of Asian cultures and each year there is an extra special Kuyam celebrating the symbolism and iconography through performance followed by a delicious feast with traditional Asian flavors from around the world.
LITERARY FESTIVAL
Held annually, the Literary Festival is a weeklong celebration of books. The festival encourages a love of reading, a passion for writing, and inspires our students to take ownership over their literary creativity by seeing themselves as authors and illustrators.
Our volunteer committee brings renowned authors to speak to our community of parents and children and share their valuable insights and passion for literature, science, research, and various disciplines. This festival features a pop-up bookstore and a special Literary Festival Kuyam.
HOLI
The Indian Holi celebration honors and welcomes spring. To observe this colorful and lively holiday, the children do art projects, perform traditional dances, sing songs, and engage in some of the activities that occur in India during this holiday.
Seven Arrows parents who are interested in participating are welcome to do so by learning some dances that are performed for our community during the festival.
WINTER FESTIVAL
Held every December, Winter Festival brings the traditions of various countries to life. One thing we all have in common is some form of observance around the time of the winter solstice.
Winter Festival demonstrates the diversity in our community and is a fun way to celebrate our various ways of observing the season. Every grade performs a festive song and the finale is always special performances from the Sixth Grade Bands.
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CELEBRATION
Beginning with a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life at a special Kuyam, African American culture and contributions are celebrated in remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. Over the past few years, Seven Arrows Elementary’s celebration of Black history has evolved into a combination of art, music, poetry, and dance with other schools and neighborhoods in the greater Los Angeles community. Guests artists have performed or collaborated with our students to create unique works inspired by some of the most memorable moments in African American history. See how our fifth graders honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through visual arts.