We began our week on Sunday with approximately 40 HP Scotties attending the UT performance of
The Edge of Peace. Very well done, loved the small B. Iden Payne setting, and it was nice to enjoy the afternoon with parents, kids, and staff. The big thrill for several of us who lingered after the performance was the chance to speak with the playwright Suzan Zeder. Themes connected to love, loss, coming of age, death, change, families, and more were weaved throughout the play, but as one of our parents stated, "all very appropriately done". Thanks UT and Ms. Zeder for a play that gave all of us much food for thought as we traveled home.
Ms. Maca's art classes were well in the throes of all things quilt recreations based on the Faith Ringgold book
Tar Beach. Students imagined themselves flying above exotic locations, tied directly to book content and illustrations, and were in various phases of completion when I visited. Lots of cool images in honor of Black History Month...
Ms. McLelland's 3rd grade Language Arts students hosted their Parent Visiting Day as a culmination to their novel study
The Hundred Dresses. Students created Memory Bags/Boxes, filled with items that reminded them of characters, plot, setting, and themes of the book. I loved hearing their rationales for choosing various items to go in their bags as I made my way around the tables, but I was particularly struck by Isabelle's inclusion of a lemon. She told me that the book's antagonist Peggy was very popular but bullied the main character Wanda. The lemon represented Peggy because "it looks good on the outside, but is sour inside". You nailed it, Isabelle!
Of course, it was also all things Book Fair this week. Many students dressed as a favorite book character and we had quite the variety in our halls.
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| Thing 1 and Cat in the Hat |
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| Benjamin Franklin Stein |
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| Pippi Longstocking |
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| Waiting to go on stage |
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Along with Book Fair Week, is the always fun Poetry Slam event on BF Family Night. Lots of fun, I
slammed a poem about cats with Ms. McDaniel, and there were more student entries than ever before. All were original and some were funny with topics ranging from homework to s'mores to puppies. Some were very heartfelt, with true poets among us. Ellen, Christy, Stacy, Cheryl...big thanks as always!
Finally, as you know, Valentines Day is a big deal at elementary schools and love is definitely in the air around campus. There is a gigantic heart hanging outside Mrs. William's classroom with some heartfelt love messages written by her first graders. Be sure to check those out when you next visit school. Lamar Middle School is also definitely showing us the love this week as well. They are hosting a very special HP night for their upcoming performance of Guys & Dolls, Jr. on Thursday, Feb 21. Low pricing for the 7 pm performance will be just $7 per ticket; it should be a wonderful evening for us to enjoy together. Thanks to our Lamar family for hosting and all HP Scotties should look for ordering information in this Sunday's Scottie Informer. If you have questions, please see Kerren Campa or Jodi Leach. Spread the word and share the love.
Ms. Maca's art classes were well in the throes of all things quilt recreations based on the Faith Ringgold book Tar Beach. Students imagined themselves flying above exotic locations, tied directly to book content and illustrations, and were in various phases of completion when I visited. Lots of cool images in honor of Black History Month...
Ms. McLelland's 3rd grade Language Arts students hosted their Parent Visiting Day as a culmination to their novel study The Hundred Dresses. Students created Memory Bags/Boxes, filled with items that reminded them of characters, plot, setting, and themes of the book. I loved hearing their rationales for choosing various items to go in their bags as I made my way around the tables, but I was particularly struck by Isabelle's inclusion of a lemon. She told me that the book's antagonist Peggy was very popular but bullied the main character Wanda. The lemon represented Peggy because "it looks good on the outside, but is sour inside". You nailed it, Isabelle!
