PROGRAMS

RIC MASTEN in the PRIMARY GRADES RIC MASTEN will present an assembly for the entire student body (K-6), however, because of the vast intellectual and emotional difference between the Kindergarten and the 6th grade, Ric prefers to do two separate programs for elementary students. One directed at K-3, where he carries on with his songs, stories and silliness for about 30 minutes, or as Ric puts it "as long as you sit still, quit wiggling and keep your fingers out of your nose". For the 4th, 5th and 6th graders the assembly can be longer (up to 50 minutes) and although the program will be entertaining, Masten will begin to add a few poems and a serious note or two. Talking about why people write poetry, and sharing with the students some of the joy and pain he has discovered in this line of work. If you have booked Ric for and entire day, planning to use him in the classroom, he feels his time is spent a little more effectively with the upper level classes. If the assemblies are to be held in the gym or cafeteria, Ric likes to have the kids sitting on the floor as close to him as possible. He will need a small table or music stand (sturdy), a blackboard, and he won't need a sound system unless the acoustics in the room are really impossible. Adult Programs After school or during a brown-bag lunch, Ric would also be available to share his thoughts and poems on education and parenting for interested teachers and PTA members. He also is often used as a presenter in a schools in-service training program. FEEDBACK We want to thank you for a very delightful and original presentation of music and poetry you presented to the children at Grant School. Your original songs are most appealing and capture the active involvement of the children, this plus your engaging personality made it a highly successful program. I hope we can plan for another performance in the near future. Donald M. Cleland, Principal GRANTS SCHOOL, Santa Monica, CA On behalf of the students and faculty at Plymouth River School, I wish to thank you for a very memorable and most enjoyable visit. We've used the video tape we made of you on numerous occasions. This has promoted a great deal of enthusiasm and high spirits throughout the school. Roger C. Lamoureux, Principal PLYMOUTH RIVER SCHOOL, Hingham, MA When the students returned to class, they were asked to jot down impressions of what they had just experienced. I would like to pass some of these along to you. "He taught us lessons. Not the kind that will get us pass in school but to get us pass in the world." "The songs and poems he wrote were to try to have us notice that we were alive, and see if other people notice us." "He is a poet who likes to have a point get across. He is a teaching poet." Peter DalNegro, Head of Upper School. RENBROOK SCHOOL, West Hartford, CT Ric Masten Presentations 37931 Palo Colorado Road, Carmel, California 93923 Phone: (831) 625-0588 ----Fax: (831) 625-3770