Monday, March 12, 2012

Connections

Today was our class field trip to The Admiral Theatre. I love when I'm able to give children the opportunity to make connections. This was the perfect opportunity. We were going to see the play (really a musical) called Junie B. Jones. My girls were so excited and couldn't wait to see which book they'd perform. My boys weren't as excited so I was a bit worried. None the less, we loaded on to the buses and traveled the 20 minutes to get to the theatre.
When entering the theatre, you quickly discover the under water theme. It's been forever since I've been in this particular theatre and I'd forgotten about the decor. The ceiling is a pale blue that, reflected off the lights, resembles the ocean. Fish swim on the walls along with turtles and mermaids. Now, I have a classroom full of 3rd grade boys and they were quick to point out the shell-less mermaids. I was mortified. They giggled, pointed, and whispered to each other. I can just imagine the phone calls that I'll get tomorrow. 

So we settled into our seats...first and second row right in front of the stage. My kids bounced like Mexican Beans while they waited for the performance. A HUGE writer's notebook was on the stage....Top Secret Personal Beeswax. The lights dimmed and out popped Junie B. Jones...singing at the top of her lungs. Then she opened up the notebook to reveal notes jotted all over. Each little snippet would be a large part of the play. The children tapped each other as they made the connections. The whole premise was written for all of them to see.

I was sandwiched between two of my rather opinionated boys. I knew that they'd be very verbal about their thoughts. They giggled, roared, and applauded throughout the performance. The play was a success.

I'd like to say that I left the experience at that but I couldn't resist asking them to reflect on their trip. The responses were phenomenal. They were not only making connections to their writer's notebooks, but were also reflecting on the story line. Multiple stories made up this one play. I also had disappointed girls who wanted to see the stuffed elephant and felt that he was a huge part of who Junie B. is. What a great opportunity to talk about literature. I was in my glory.

It was so nice to see literacy in action and to watch my kiddos be so engaged. I love when I'm able to step out of the classroom and let them see how it all connects to life. I SO love my job!
 

7 comments:

  1. I'm jealous. I wish we could have come too! Sounds like the play was awesome, and I'm very excited to hear that your kiddos were making those connections.

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  2. And it's so good that they were so involved that the lack of shellfish abodes were long forgotten! What a great trip.

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  3. Sounds like a terrific day, & the kids filled up with seeing a favorite book 'in person'. Love the mermaid story. Perhaps they will just tell about beautiful ladies? It's so great to get out the door.

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  4. How lucky for them and you that are able to leave the building and experience literature in action-especially Junie B!

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  5. Glad the boys left their preconceived opinions in the isles and enjoyed the show too. That in itself is a great learning curve. How lucky you are to go see a show. In one of the schools I worked in we went to the theatre yearly but the school I work in now does not have the same outlook on theatre...to bad because we are only eight miles away.

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  6. This made me laugh. I loved the line shell-less mermaid. This was a great slice. You captured the excitement and their delight with making connections. What a great play it turned out to be for both your girls and boys.

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  7. Wow! Your passion for literacy and kids really jumps off the page! I'm so happy for you and your kiddos. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've never read a Junie B. book. Maybe I should. I teach 4th and most of my kids have moved beyond Junie B. The shell-less mermaids, have reminded me of another story so I have a topic for tomorrow. Thanks

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