Students in 3rd and 4th grades at Central are learning all about Folk Tales.  As an A+ school, Central believes in incorporating the arts as the best process to enhance learning.  What better way than to study about the traditions of the Appalachian Mountains and bring in musicians who can demonstrate those musical traditions handed down from generation to generation.  Music teacher Mary Ward brought in local musicians Les Wicker on the guitar, his daughter Sadie Wicker on the banjo, and Nicole Carpenter on the fiddle to explain and demonstrate each instrument.  Together they played music that people of this area have grown up with and love.  They told of how they came to learn to play their instruments and how important music can be in an individual’s life and the life of their family.  Sadie explained how her grandfather started the tradition of playing instruments in their family and Wes went on to point out that even if no one currently plays an instrument in a family, anyone can start the tradition.  No doubt many of these students will someday add to the rich, musical heritage found in Haywood County.

Submitted by:  Anita Painter, Central Elementary School