Sometimes it's torture

For the most part I love my job. There are times however, that I do not. Puppetry is one of those times. I teach Puppeting to 3rd graders and while most elementary students today are lacking imagination, it seems that the 3rd graders at my school are lacking the most. My word, if I have to see one more puppet show about Red Riding Hood that ends in every puppet eating each other, I might lose it. I have no idea how to encourage imagination...even when I tell them to just "play" they don't know how. Today took the cake, when Little Red arrived at Grammy's she asked "Geez Grammy, why didn't you just order take-out?"

He'll come get you too....

This morning a kindergartener came into drama class very loudly and said "Have you seen my sister today?" The following is a transcript of our transcript of our conversation. (Yes, I took notes)

Me: No, Why?

Girl: She was bit by a dragon.

Me: What?

Girl: A dragon, a dragon bit her right on the hand. (motions to her hand)

Me: Where?

Girl: On her hand!

Me: No, Where did this happen?

Girl: In her bed.

Me: When?

Girl: Tomorrow.

Me: Tomorrow? It hasn't happened yet?

Girl: No, it happened tomorrow, when she was sleeping.

Me: Why?

Girl: He was mad. He came in the window and he bit her.

Me: What did he look like?

Girl: He was red and bleedy.

Me: So, you saw him?

Girl: Yes, the whole family saw him and we had to run away.

Random Boy: I saw him too!

Me: How?

Random Boy: I live in that apartment.

Girl: He does, but the dragon just went away after he bit her. I guess he was just mad.

Me: OK....let's take attendance, shall we?

Introducing...

Last week, I had a student tell me that his mother was having a baby. Of course, as is usually the case-every other student had to tell me that their mother was having a baby too. One little boy raised his hand. "My mommy is having a baby too...and guess what her name is going to be? Mrs. Prouty!"

What's fancy to you isn't to me

So, today I was trying to explain characterization and how we have to pretend to be like someone else. A good example of that is when you're in a place that you have to behave differently. For example....a church, a classroom, a circus. So, I had them pantomime opening a present. First, they did it as themselves. Most of them acted crazy opening it. Then, I had them do it as a child who has never had a present before. Last, I had them pretend to open it as if it was a gift given to them by their very rich grandparents and they are opening it in a fancy restaurant. When, I began the lesson, I imagined opening it at a country club, or at Nieman's cafe or the top of the Stratosphere. Well, apparently this is not what some of my students as I was asked "Do you mean like Olive Garden?"

***edited to say that by no means did I mean to sound condescending or do I look down on anyone who considers Olive Garden fancy. It just strikes me sometimes just how different my school kiddos are.

Theatre Thursday: Put a ring on it

I have a couple of classes that are classes and a 1/3 which means it's a full class (20-24) and another 1/3 of another class. Today, four 3rd graders arrived before the full class. I told them they could chill a little bit before the class could arrive. I heard them get on the stage and start singing "Put a Ring on It" by Beyonce. This alone was fine until I turned around and saw all 4 doing the dance that goes with it. Have you seen it? Not hysterical when Beyonce does it; but side-splitting when it's done by four 9 year olds.