Rachel Sumner https://www.rachelsumner.com
Rachel Sumner has been writing songs and stories, performing, and creating award-winning recordings for children for over 35 years. In addition, she is a veteran teaching artist with the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning in the Arts. She conducts workshops for parents, families, teachers, and librarians and has presented residencies and performances for infants through Grade 8. Rachel is especially fond of working with children from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has extensive experience in doing so. She is known for her creative ideas, in-the-moment adaptability, and flexibility!
Sample Programs Offered
Program Type: Arts Integration
Program Description:
Students will explore the science of sound by making and playing homemade musical instruments. They will identify the source of vibrations from instruments like wooden spoons, Gomi Daiko (garbage) drums,
straw panpipes, and tin can guitars. They will classify the instruments by method of sound production and compare the sounds that are produced by instruments of different sizes and materials. Can include a
concert: Name That Instrument Family or in-service or family workshop
Connects to Music and Science Standards, also incorporates some Math Standards when Straw Panpipes are made.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type:
Program Description:
Prek-3rd Designed to encourage young readers and/or emergent readers. Rachel will present a number of original songs about reading. She will speak briefly about her personal struggle with reading when she was the age of her audience members. She will share a couple of tips for those who are struggling and offer encouragement. In addition, she will present a number of original songs inspired by popular nursery
rhymes and encourage young students to play with stories and language.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Appreciation
Program Description:
Rachel kicks off this interactive multi-lingual concert with an original song that teaches words in Spanish, French, German and Japanese. She will also lead the audience in a West African chant and dance, the Bolivian song “La Mariposa,” and greeting songs in Spanish, Kurdish, Swahili, and sign language. Concert connects to Social Studies and Music Standards.
This concert is available for Prek-2 or grades 3-5 students. The content will be adapted to the age of the students participating. A study guide will be sent after the concert has been book. The guide includes a pre and post concert lesson.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Appreciation
Program Description:
Students will be invited to sing, dance, and role-play in this interactive musical concert of original songs inspired by traditional stories. During this fun-filled show, Rachel will encourage them to add their own spin to an old story to make it their own. (This presentation is designed to encourage and inspire young readers and/or emergent readers.)
How to prepare for the show: Make sure each student has room to dance and move around a little during the show. Also, plan to have paper, pencils, crayons, or other drawing materials ready after the show so that students can begin to create their own stories from a traditional fairy tale or a nursery rhyme.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
