Creating Community: Appreciating Differences (Grades 4-9)
Testimonials by STUDENTS
“Later that day I really looked into how people treat each other and what they say to each other.”
- Middle School Student, Bolton Center School
“Thank you very much for singing those wonderful songs to our class. It really helped to open my mind to the real issues of life. You made me think about things I never thought about before.”
- 7th Grade Boy, North Branford Intermediate School
“I learned that it's ok to be different and to respect people's differences. I also learned you need to stick up for what you believe in. I saw things from other people's point of view.”
- Middle School Student, Isaac School, New London
“I like the stories in your songs because I think that stories like those give you the courage and will to want to do the right thing, and maybe try to change something you've done wrong. Or maybe even support other people who are having troubles.”
- Middle School Student, Bolton Center School
“Going to the presentation, I honestly didn't think it would have affected me the way it actually did. Every song that our speaker sang…… had such deep meanings in the stories….. It showed me that regardless of one's culture, religion, race, or sexuality, we are all human - we should all be here for each other through thick and thin because life is just too short to hate or bring upon hate to others.”
- Student, Coginchaug High School
“I think the discussions about how money affects everyone and how it can make people popular or have people who are defined as poor were awesome. This does happen to people and I have seen it. Also it has happened to me.”
- Middle School Student, Bolton Center School
- Middle School Student, Bolton Center School
“Thank you very much for singing those wonderful songs to our class. It really helped to open my mind to the real issues of life. You made me think about things I never thought about before.”
- 7th Grade Boy, North Branford Intermediate School
“I learned that it's ok to be different and to respect people's differences. I also learned you need to stick up for what you believe in. I saw things from other people's point of view.”
- Middle School Student, Isaac School, New London
“I like the stories in your songs because I think that stories like those give you the courage and will to want to do the right thing, and maybe try to change something you've done wrong. Or maybe even support other people who are having troubles.”
- Middle School Student, Bolton Center School
“Going to the presentation, I honestly didn't think it would have affected me the way it actually did. Every song that our speaker sang…… had such deep meanings in the stories….. It showed me that regardless of one's culture, religion, race, or sexuality, we are all human - we should all be here for each other through thick and thin because life is just too short to hate or bring upon hate to others.”
- Student, Coginchaug High School
“I think the discussions about how money affects everyone and how it can make people popular or have people who are defined as poor were awesome. This does happen to people and I have seen it. Also it has happened to me.”
- Middle School Student, Bolton Center School
Testimonials by the ADULTS
“Cyd Slotoroff uses music and thought-provoking questions to get kids to think in an entirely new way about how they treat one another... As a result, children learn all kinds of important things about themselves and others in the process of answering the questions she poses after each song she plays.”
- Amy Barry, The Sound
“My class had been experiencing some difficulties with social interaction and I felt your program came at the perfect time…… It was amazing to see students' eyes meeting during your songs. When I met with my students at lunch they were pleased that they had worked through some of their problems. They said that the songs made them think.”
- Nancy Juliano, 5th grade teacher Shepherd Glen School, Hamden, CT
“Your message fit perfectly with our character education program. The songs and themes were a wonderful extension to our lessons about diversity, courage, and peer-pressure. My seventh graders, who normally are not impressed with much, were glued to your every word. Your songs were the perfect lead to discussions that really made students reflect and think about their own personal code of ethics.”
- Elizabeth Lazzari, Teacher North Branford Intermediate School
- Amy Barry, The Sound
“My class had been experiencing some difficulties with social interaction and I felt your program came at the perfect time…… It was amazing to see students' eyes meeting during your songs. When I met with my students at lunch they were pleased that they had worked through some of their problems. They said that the songs made them think.”
- Nancy Juliano, 5th grade teacher Shepherd Glen School, Hamden, CT
“Your message fit perfectly with our character education program. The songs and themes were a wonderful extension to our lessons about diversity, courage, and peer-pressure. My seventh graders, who normally are not impressed with much, were glued to your every word. Your songs were the perfect lead to discussions that really made students reflect and think about their own personal code of ethics.”
- Elizabeth Lazzari, Teacher North Branford Intermediate School