Every Day is Earth Day

On our way in to school on the morning of Demi's play, Dee and I were tackled stopped by the school's music teacher, Ms. D.  "I saw the amazing roller coaster car you two created!  Would you be able to help me with props for the Fourth Grade play?  Could you think about it and come see me after Demi's play?"  Dee and I both said "Sure." 

The Fourth Graders have not been able to put on a play for the last couple of years.  The theme for this play was good old planet earth.  To make a long story short . . . we met with Ms. D, drew up some ideas, and got to work.  We created three solid-colored fabric panels to hang on the stage (just some hemming on the sewing machine), eight zebra-striped sashes for the dancers (simple sewing), fifteen animal masks and eight painted projects. 

Dee and I trekked out the Teacher Resource Lab the next day with our designs and Sharpie pens in hand.  Three hours later we had the following things drawn out (and cut out if necessary) on cardboard tri-wall -- two recycle bins, the Earth, a Giant Panda, a Blue Whale, a Black Rhinoceros, a Whooping Crane and a 4' x 6' animal scene.  We spent Memorial Day weekend painting so that everything would be ready for installation the afternoon before their dress rehearsal.  The animal masks were all cut out using my Cricut and the Animal Kingdom cartridge.  They were delivered the morning of the dress rehearsal. 

Did I mention we turned this around in less than a week's time?  Whew!  Tons of fun -- time consuming, but so worth it! 

Wheeee! What a ride!

Our daughter is part of a multi-age classroom program -- Kindergartners, 1st and 2nd graders all in one room, helping each other learn.  It has been a fantastic year and she has grown by leaps and bounds.  The most wonderful part is she will be in the same classroom with the same teacher for all three years.  (Which is amazingly beneficial to kids with Sensory Processing issues!) 

At the end of May each year the multi-age program puts on a play -- this year's theme was "Reading is a Thrill!"  Demi's teacher finally discovered that we were crafty individuals and as a result we were asked to help with one of the stage props for the play.  A full-sized roller coaster car.  Yep, full-sized! 

We had a blast (I know, we're totally warped!) designing, cutting out and painting the car.  The best part . . . the kids totally loved it.  At their awards ceremony last night the roller coaster car was still on stage and the kids were all posing behind it and begging their Moms and Dads to take pictures.

One of the teachers writes the play each year around the theme.  Demi was Chicken Little.  Yes, the chicken costume lives!  And she still looks as cute in it at 6 years old as she did in it at 4 years old (if I do say so myself).  Other characters in the play were the Cat in the Hat, the Gingerbread Man, Amelia Bedelia, Fancy Nancy, Thing 1 and Thing 2 . . . to name a few.  The play was wonderful and the kids did a great job.

Art is alive and well in our school in spite of news to the contrary - thanks to some amazing teachers; their dedication and creativity in the midst of all of the never-ending budget cuts is nothing less than extraordinary.