Keeping the “A” in STEAM

Kindergarten Students got to create the sound effects for the Crankie.

The Crankies’ visits to Rockwood Elementary have enriched learning for many years, always exciting the students.

A traditional Crankie is a 19th-century form of popular storytelling. It consists of a long, illustrated scroll wound onto two spools and placed in a box with a viewing screen. The scroll is hand-cranked to display the story depicted on it. Crankies have been present in numerous cultures since the early 1800s, as people enjoyed the art of storytelling. The Crankies that visited us originated from the tri-state area and had stories suitable for students of all ages.

Mrs. Holt, who we’ve been honored to have teaching elementary art at Rockwood for the past 37 years, developed a profound appreciation for Crankies upon first witnessing their performance. She encountered Crankies at a local arts center in Confluence, PA. “It’s the perfect combination of visual art, musical arts, theatrics and engineering — all my passions in one enjoyable crankie,” said Mrs. Holt.

These visiting artists not only ignite creativity but also motivate students to think critically about the creation of art. They demonstrate the diverse forms that art can take and encourage students to begin telling their own stories. This annual tradition is one we hope will continue for many years to come.