Today was quite a whirlwind! I imagine that is how our last seven days of school will be as well! (Especially considering Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next week are leaving me with NO prep periods, just due to end of year festivities...ahhhhh!!!)
This morning my class had a talent show in our classroom. The students wrote invitations to the parents (as friendly letter writing is a skill that second graders practice). We rehearsed once yesterday in the afternoon, and once this morning, prior to parents arriving. We had everything from singers, dancers to comedians and acrobats (that is the picture you see, Wyatt doing a front flip and), t0 craftsmen (and women), to beat boxing (that is Owen) and so much more! We had the assistance of our bubbly guidance counselor as our emcee, as well as the assistance of our Title I teacher for encouragement. All of the students were present and on time (which for 2 of them, is quite an accomplishment)! All of the students performed a talent, no one had stage fright!! I was sooo proud of these students. The point was to appreciate and acknowledge that we all have different strengths and to build confidence, etc. It was successful!! At the end of the day we did a writing about how the students felt today. All of them acknowledged feeling nervous, sick, and/or scared at the beginning, and feeling proud and relieved now! This is a first performance for many of them, and I am so glad to be a part of that!
Our room was transformed with stage "curtains" (sheets), a microphone, and a sound system into a performing arts space. The parents, grandparents, and siblings were excellent audience members. Unfortunately I had one tearful student (and then parent), for the parent whom is a nurse, and got stuck in the ER and couldn't make it. It was very unfortunate!
But, all in all, it was a roaring success! The principal has requested a private showing (he too was caught up and unable to attend).
Awesome year end activity! Do you do this every year?
ReplyDeleteVery cool. Is your class the only one who did this or were other classes involved? Maybe you could hold a school wide show next year and donate ticket sales to a charity as a class project? Our school does this and donates to United Way.
ReplyDeleteTo answer both of your questions/comments. The other second grade teacher did one in her class (her class did not want to present it to us), I was very disappointed about it. So, therefore, we just presented our our in our classroom. This is the first year that we have tried it, but because it was such a success, I will DEFINITELY plan on doing it again. The 4th, 5th, and 6th graders do a talent show in March one evening. However, I am APALLED, at what is allowed by the music teacher (she is the organizer). However, the good news she will not be running in next year, and I may put in a request to the principal that I can assist with this, and that it can be open to all grades. As for the ticket sales, maybe we could do a donation type of thing (I just worry that some parents won't come or bring their children if there is a charge). Thank you both, you gave me lots to think about!
ReplyDeleteI agree that there should not be a charge to get into the door to events such as these. Your donation idea is great. I often give extra credit to students who bring me a ticket stub proving they were at a school related event. If they do not have tickets, they can get a note with a signature from a teacher who may have attended the event.
ReplyDeleteI am game for anything positive that involves the students. I feel like the teacher next to you should have been a team player. We as teachers have to set the examples of being teamplayers. This would be a perfect opportunity to your neighboring teacher.
Students love to watch themselves on TV. My high schoolers do! Perhaps you could incorporate jobs such as newsreporter, camera man, timer, etc.. next year when you coordinate this activity.
Just some thoughts just in case you decide to use this as your final piece. :)