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Show OREM TIMES Thursday, March 6, 2008 Page 6 NEWS AND IDEAS Sharon students celebrate Mayan culture Melissa Mayntz NORTH COUNT SWF Every year, Sharon Elemen-tary's Elemen-tary's third grade classes perform per-form the Mayan creation myth "The Creation and Birth of the Corn God" for their peers and parents, and while the annual show may not change, each year the wonder of sharing their lessons and acting out this myth is born anew. The 30-minute play dramatizes drama-tizes Mayan beliefs about the gods creating people to worship wor-ship them from mud. wood and other materials Ix'fore finally , creating the Corn God. Corn , was an integral part of Ihe Mayan culture as a food staple and vital crop, and the myth helps emphasize what Sharon's students have been learning about South American cultures as part of the third grade curriculum. cur-riculum. "It definitely makes it more real for the students," Erin Burch, one of the school's third grade teachers, said. "It's much better to have a hands on experience ex-perience rather than reading it from a book." Burch, who is directing the production for the first time this year, stressed how the play helps reach students with all learning styles. In addition to reading the play and memorizing memo-rizing their lines, students hear the creation story at every rehearsal re-hearsal and they see the myth come to life t hrough their ac- Cascade Elementary celebrates family theme Melissa Mayntz NOPTH COUNT STAFF Family support is an important impor-tant part of a child's education, educa-tion, and Cascade Elementary celebrated that support with a family theme during January, culminating in a night of fun games and activities for everyone every-one to enjoy on Jan. 31. The month's activities, including in-cluding Family Night, were organized by the school's PTA. While many school themes and evening activities are designed de-signed to showcase students' academic achievements in creative cre-ative ways, the PTA chose to highlight family togetherness without the stress of academic connections. Most schools do organize family events or themed weeks, but the Cascade PTA wanted a longer period of time to emphasize the importance impor-tance of families, and desig- nated January as "My Family REMODEL NOW! ItttflVE YOU A GREAT FRIGE FOR THE NEW SEASON! Mi I , Kfl mM Anvtinffi fa free estimate FULL HOME CONSTRUCTION TO SMALL REM0DEL5 - WE CAN HELP . MOUNTAIN HIGH BUILDERS & DESIGN LEHI, UTAH 84043 00 FROM CLASSROOMS AND EDUCATORS MARC HADDOCKNorth County Third grade students dance round classmate Bryan Martinez, who portrays the Corn God in Sharon Elementary's annual oprodu.ction of the Mayan creation myth, "The Creation and Birth of the Corn God" tions and costumes. Furthermore, the play helps students learn cooperation and teamwork as they work together to-gether to complete the production. produc-tion. Burch said the 60 students in this year's play frequently remind one another of lines and actions, and they have learned to recognize and respect re-spect one another strengths. , "They all tend to help each other out," she said. "There are three third-grade classes. is Fantastic" month. "We thought it was important im-portant to do something to strengthen the family," Cindy Latimer, the PTA president, said. "One week just doesn't seem like enough." The month's theme was kicked off with a special assembly as-sembly in early January when students got to demonstrate their family connections and see that everyone in the school is a part of a family. Students practiced the family fami-ly theme throughout the month with different classroom exercises. exer-cises. Weekly writing activities to emphasize family strengths were posted in the hallways, and students were encouraged to write thank you notes to family members. Weekly game and conversation ideas helped keep students enthusiastic and ensure that all families could enjoy time together at home as well. j MOUNTAIN HIGH Ml m A and everyone has a part. They want the play to be successful." Many of the third-graders have been eagerly anticipating their roles in this play for years, since each third grade class performs the play for younger students before the evening performance for parents. Because Be-cause they have already seen the play, most students know which role they'd prefer to play, and Burch said the teachers teach-ers try to honor students' re During the evening finale, the Cascade Elementary choir performed the new school song for the first time and family members of all ages could participate par-ticipate in line dancing lessons, math games and storytelling presentations. Families rotated through different activity stations sta-tions so everyone could participate, partici-pate, and that organization was essential to allow the more than 300 guests to enjoy the evening. "We had a fabulous turnout, turn-out, much better than we expected," Latimer said. "It was a great evening and a real success." According to Latimer, the key to the success of Family Night was the generosity of many volunteers who helped make the event possible. Many teachers organized activities so parents could participate with their children, letting families enjoy the evening together. "We couldn't have done it .k$&. Tues-Sat 12-5 p.m. Lerron Little: 801.592.4320 222 West 2280 North, Provo Affordable T.1.,A CI ! 1 UACUU Ol IUUIUI 1 1 I Look like It t 377-7828 1774 N. 'University Pkwy PrOVO IBriyhamvUidlng) 11 quests when assigning parts. Students also understudy one another in case of absences, absenc-es, and that helps them learn the myth in more detail. After the performance, the teachers present awards to students for their participation in the production, and it's one of the defining moments of students' stu-dents' third grade experiences at Sharon Elementary. The students aren't the only ones learning from this play, however. Because this is Burch's first year directing the production and only her second year at Sharon Elementary, Elemen-tary, she said she is learning just as much from the students and enjoys seeing their growth as they participate in this play and other unique activities. "It's great to see their growth. It's been a fun experience experi-ence for me," she said. Burch's biggest challenge has been managing the cast of 60 third-graders and keeping students' attention when it is not their turn on stage. That excitement, however, demonstrates dem-onstrates how passionate the students can be about working together and learning in such a unique way. As long as students continue to grow in their knowledge of different cultures and diversity and as long as they share that knowledge with others, this creation myth will be a new and enriching experience every ev-ery year. without the teachers." Latimer said. "They were so willing." Parents, on the other hand, helped coordinate classroom activities during the month so the family theme could be incorporated in-corporated into the curriculum without creating extra work for the teachers. "There are a lot of parents who would do anything to help improve the education and experience of their children at Cascade." Latimer said. Together, the entire Cascade family helped build a stronger school community by sharing the workload so every member of the family could participate. Latimer said that the best part of the evening seeing how everyone came together as school family, even if they weren't related. "It took the whole school families, parents, teachers, students to make this month possible," Latimer said. Ltretlisinfo.com J - 'i 0 All Schools Daylight-saving Daylight-saving Daylight-saving time begins on Sunday. Remember to set clocks ahead one hour. Orem High School West Side Story The OHS drama department presents "West Side Story" with performances per-formances continuing through Tuesday. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for students, $5 for OHS students and $4 for children and senior citizens. A family pass of 12 seatings is available for $36. Battle of Bands winner Congratulations to the band Cobet for winning the regional and multi-regional competitions of the PTSA Battle of the Bands. Cobet is the first OHS student band to compete at the state level. The state competition will be March 15 at Hillcrest High. Canyon View Junior High School Job shadows Canyon View students will get a taste of the real world today as seventh-graders participate in job shadows, eighth grade students pai ticipate in career discussions and presentations and ninth grade students participate par-ticipate in Reality Town. Call 227-8748 for details. Spelling bee winners Congratulations Con-gratulations to the school spelling bee winners: Michaela Nielsen in first place, Jake Thorpe in second place and Spencer Higinbothom in third place. Cascade Elementary School PTA board to meet The March PTA board meeting is Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Media Center. Kindergarten registration Kindergarten registration packets are available in the main office for all children who will be five years old by Sept. 1. Parents are urged to register their children as soon as possible. Foothill Elementary School Spring photos - Spring Dictures will he taken Fridav. Call 227-2465 for details. See's fundraiser The See's Chocolate fundraiser will continue con-tinue through Monday. Orders will be delivered March 14. Free parenting seminar There will be a free parenting parent-ing seminar offered Wednesday Wednes-day at 7:30 p.m. in the Media Center. The topic is "Understanding "Under-standing Grief in Children" and child care will be available Locally Hand Made GENUINE LEATHER - GUN BELTS & HOLSTERS Pack Saddles Panniers wall lents . f Stoves Sleeping Bag Covers 1274 West 300 South Lindon, Utah 801.922.4234 ..uiiiinHiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniHiiiiiiiHiiiiMHiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiii,. -S '..uVIHIIHIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIMIIIIIinilllHIHIIIIIIinillllHIIinillHIHIIIIMIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHI,, Your Source for Remote Control HelicoptersPtanesTrucks, Pinewood Derby, Rockets, Board Games, and much more! If 648 East Ststs 1. Soli G, American Fork f 1 www.2pexhcbby.con COI -492-8210 f'IMIMIIIIMIMIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIMMUIIMIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIMI lllllllinillllMIIMIIIIIIimt ''IIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIMIMIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIUIMIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIU during the presentation. Hillcrest Elementary School PTA positions vacant Several Sev-eral PTA board positions are vacant for the 2008-2009 school year. Parents who wish to volunteer can contact Beverly Bev-erly Soutas for details. School fitness program Hillcrest Elementary is working toward the Platinum Medal Level of the Gold Medal schools fitness program. The goal is to walk down each of the coasts of the United States, and students have already walked more than 3,800 miles. The Walking Club is available during Friday afternoon recess breaks for even more miles. SceraPark Elementary School Knowledge Bowl The second annual Knowledge Bowl competition is today at 10:15 a.m. in the gym. Student teams will compete against teachers with a variety of science sci-ence trivia questions. PTA meeting The March PTA meeting is March 13 at 11:30 a.m. in the library. Everyone Ev-eryone is welcome. Sharon Elementary School Spring photos Spring pictures will be taken Friday. Call 227-8733 for more information. infor-mation. Sixth grade-registration assembly S jcth-grade students stu-dents will have a registration assembly with Canyon View Junior High representatives on Monday. Third term reports Third term grade reports will be sent home Wednesday. Parents should contact their child's teacher with any questions ques-tions or concerns. March PTA meeting The March PTA meeting is Wednesday at 9:45 a.m. Participants Par-ticipants can bring a treat to share if desired. Community Council to meet The March school community com-munity council meeting is Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Noah Webster AcademV ' Museum field trip First-grade First-grade classes will visit the Bean Museum on today. Parents should contact their child's first grade teacher for details. Pizza night Today is Papa John's Pizza Night and families fami-lies are encouraged to order a pizza to help raise money for Noah Webster Academy. Call 426-6624 for details. |