'Goose' Lead Singer Offers Command Performance For Vocabulary Lesson

CROSS RIVER, NY — Normally, fans getting this up close and personal with the lead singer of the Indie-Groove band 'Goose' would need a VIP bracelet, but fortunately for these fourth graders, their teacher has an in with the band.

From Katonah-Lewisboro School District.

The guitarist and lead singer from the band Goose visited one of Meadow Pond Elementary’s fourth grade classes on Friday, April 26. It was musician Rick Mitarotonda’s third time at the Pond, on special invitation from his sister, teacher Amy Hoaglund, and her students.

His visit was the capstone of the class’s weekly vocabulary lesson. Hoaglund chose ten words from ten different Goose songs for her students to investigate: misconception, burden, cryptic, disposition, weary, heedless, inquisition, burden, haul and vast.

"The students could listen to the songs to hear the words in context," said Hoaglund. "They all created vocabulary cartoons for the words to help them understand them better, then paired up to create a skit using one of the words."

Mitarotonda enjoyed seeing the students’ creativity as they performed three skits for him, including one by Chloe and Olivia who were "weary" after attending a Goose concert.

A highlight for everyone was when he brought out his acoustic guitar and played several songs for the class, including "Animal," "Dripfield," "Lead Up," "California Magic" and "Hot Tea."

It's a natural inquisition
We just want to know
About lightning bolts and waterfalls
Oh where all the narwhals go
You find one, oh we know

They smiled as they sang along, knowing exactly what the word inquisition meant — and how to spell it.