THE EVENT
Classes: Fifth-graders.
Number of students: 90
Subject: Learning about Shakespeare
Veteran teacher Shirley Stoddard helped organize the school's eighth annual "Fifth Grade Shake-spearean Festival," which featured a slightly scaled down but authentic rendition of "The Taming of the Shrew." Two crews and casts put on one-hour, two-act versions of the comedy. To add to the festive Elizabethan atmosphere, students also sang period songs, did dances, played recorders and put on puppet shows. The school also sold tarts, hot-cross buns and strawberries, and hawked T-shirts with a student-drawn design of the Bard.
THE SCHOOL
Location: 1145 South 1900 East
Students: 517, kindergarten through sixth grade
Number of teachers: 22
Principal: Kathleen Spencer-Christy
School district: Salt Lake
THE LESSON
The teachers' objective:
Stoddard and two other teachers who helped her, Janis Locher and Doug Miller, wanted to instill in students a love of the English language and an appreciation for one of its most gifted writers. "The students won't remember spelling lists, but they will remember Shakespeare," Stoddard said. Stoddard thinks it is important to expose children to the arts early. She noted that when there is a money crunch, the arts often are the first thing to go. She especially appreciates the help of 55 parent volunteers. Audiences apparently enjoyed it since performances were standing room only.
The children say:
"I liked the chance to perform," said Lyndsay Snelgrove.
"I liked the costumes," said Patrick Hensleigh.
"I enjoyed trying to learn the part and trying to feel how Katherina (the shrew) would about everything," said Alberta Theodore.
"The hardest thing was memorizing the lines," said Andrew Hill.
What happens next:
Stoddard will retire this year but hopes are for the festival to continue.