- How can I do this play with my students when I have a teaching assistant/parent volunteer for only a few hours a week?
Delegate! Ask your room parents to organize parent volunteers. Use the Parent Volunteer form to solicit help. This is a wonderful way to get parents (and grandparents) involved in their child's school life.
- I'd really like to try doing this but is it taking away from too much class time?
No. Look at our integrated curriculum, which has some ideas for related topics in the areas of language arts, math, science, and the arts.
- Some children just don't like to stand up and perform in front of an audience. How can I accommodate their needs?
A production like this needs a team effort and there are plenty of non-performing jobs for everyone; scenery and props, lighting, advertising, script prompting, etc. . .
- What about the cost of putting on a production? We don't have any spare funds.
If you ask for a ticket donation (even as little as one dollar) at the door of an evening performance this will cover any out-of-pocket expenses. Some schools have even put on performances as a fundraiser.
- If I have more children that there are parts how do I involve all my students?
Girls can play male roles; some parts can be spoken by two or three children together (some children are less self-conscious performing with other speakers). And if you are doing more than one performance, alternating performers can play the leads.
- What can we do about costumes and props, where can we get them?
Parent volunteers can visit thrift shops, ask for donations and loans, and we can provide patterns and ideas for costumes.
- I have little or no time available in our class schedule, how much time will this take?
Actual rehearsal time requires a minimum of two hours a week (this can be during social studies time and recess) and this is possible with parental help with related activities and the enlisted help of music and art teachers (if available).
- I love the whole concept of teaching social studies through hands-on reenactments but this seems too ambitious for me and I don't want to bite off more than I can chew! What can I do?
Refer to our list of ideas for adapting the script and music to comfortably meet your capabilities with varying degrees of involvement. Start small; this year just have a play reading or learn a few of the songs and next year put on a performance.
- I am a resource teacher with a special education class. Is this something I could tackle with my students?
Definitely! One of the best educational tools for special education students is music. Children respond positively to song and dance, and learn accordingly. Go for it!
The finished performance is not nearly as important as the whole process. The aim is not Oscar worthy performances from every child but the whole learning process of working towards a better understanding of history. Children rise to the occasion and frequently surprise us with unsuspected abilities.
