Gold Coast Jazz Presents JazzSLAM Education Program in Fort Lauderdale Florida

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Math + Reading = Jazz

Gold Coast Jazz Presents JazzSLAM Education Program in Local Elementary Schools

Fort Lauderdale, FL – How can a jazz quartet teach math and reading concepts through music? Through a program called JazzSLAM. This fun and interactive program reinforces basic language arts and math concerts through the music of jazz. Students experience how improvisation is similar to writing essays. They learn how "read, think and explain" questions are similar to the "12 bar blues" how narrative essay form is similar to "A-A-B-A" song form; and how persuasive and expository essay forms are similar to the "verse-chorus" song form.

JazzSLAM, the acronym for Jazz Supports Language Arts & Math, is a program that uses students' interest in music to help them understand the inherent underlying structures found also in language arts and math. JazzSLAM was designed by local jazz musician and educator, Mari Mennell-Bell. The program is being presented by the Gold Coast Jazz Society in several local elementary schools from November through May.

Program creator, Mari Mennel-Bell, holds a dual Masters degree in Elementary Education (K-6) and Music Education (K-12) from New York University and a Masters degree in Social Work from Adelphi University. While living in New York City she worked for The Children's Television Workshop as a researcher and as an independent consultant on "Using Music to Teach Reading". When her children were in school in Broward County, she observed their challenges to stay focused on academics and was inspired to create an experiential, hands-on approach to academic skills so she developed a program that makes learning fun through the use of jazz.

Presentations of the JazzSLAM program will occur in November in the following schools:

Wed. Nov. 3 @ 9 AM

Chapel Trail Elementary School
19595 Taft St, Pembroke Pines 33029

Tues. Nov. 16 @ 9 AM

Lauderdale Manors Elementary
1400 NW 14th Ct, Fort Lauderdale 33311

Tues. Nov. 23 @ 9 AM

Sanders Park Elementary
800 NW 16th St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Funding for the JazzSLAM program is provided in part by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council, the Annenberg Foundation, Funding Arts Broward, the School Board of Broward County and Target.

The Gold Coast Jazz Society, the presenter of this program, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of jazz music through a mainstage concert series, free community concerts, jazz education programs and other events. Go online www.goldcoastjazz.org for more information about the Gold Coast Jazz Society or call 954-524-0805.

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