In the latest episode of the online series Celebrity Substitute, hit singer-songwriter and brother-sister duo Billie Eilish and Finnease returned to their hometown, Highland Park, to surprise a class of first graders with the lesson of a lifetime.
Notably homeschooled, Eilish and Finneas visited Garvanza Elementary to surprise Mrs. Fowler’s class. Bringing their approach to teaching, which the siblings developed from their parents’ loose homeschooling structure—one that encouraged creativity and pursuing passions—the musical superstars got to work in the classroom.
“Kids are so deep and relentless,” Eilish said as she reflected on the experience with Recess Therapy host Julian Shapiro-Barnum. Through the experience, she learned to “Let the kids do their thing.”
With the help of the six- and seven-year-olds, Eilish and Finneas wrote what is soon to be their latest hit—“I’m Just a Polar Bear,” a silly song about a sad polar bear who can’t make friends. The siblings taught the kids the basics of songwriting structure and the different forms of rhyme.
With the encouragement of Eilish and Finneas, the kids performed their new song for Mrs. Fowler. Their final lesson was how to overcome performance anxiety. Eilish encouraged them to wiggle it out.
“Kids, no matter how young, have cool, advanced taste in art,” Finneas reflected. “That’s been my takeaway. With Billie’s first album, there are no swear words on the whole album. I’m kind of proud of that because you could be five years old and love that album.”
The whole episode is available to watch on YouTube. After participating in the celebrity substitute program, Amazon, a sponsor of Recess Therapy, fulfilled the school’s Amazon Wishlist to support teachers and students.
