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Show Page 10 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume IV, Issue I April 15, 2001 As a Matter of Fact By Riko Reese, Fifth grade teacher Valley Elementary’s fifth grade had the opportunity to get their hands dirty on Thursday when Janice DelMar, from The Children’s Museum of Utah, presented a Janice DelMar of The Children’s Museum of Utah with students at Valley Elementary. workshop on matter. The Children’s Museum based a wonderful learning experience on the Utah State Core dealing with chemical and physical changes in matter. The fifth graders watched in amazement as different substances were mixed and began to change colors. They laughed in amusement when a large container, simulating Mr. Larsen’s (Valley’s principal) stomach, erupted with a massive burp because of all the horrible acids he had eaten. The students’ eyes were then transfixed as different chemicals were burned to see the different colors of flames they emitted. Each class was given about a halfhour to do some of their own experiments mixing chemicals to see the changes. With safety glasses donned, the kidchemists plunged into three experiments that allowed them to make things foam and fume as they stirred. Using the scientific method, the students were able to make a hypothesis, design a test, observe the results, and draw a conclusion. The Children’s Museum donated a science kit to the school as well as free passes to visit the museum to each of the fifth graders. In all, it was a great success. The students were excited and actually learned a concept while actively doing something educational. It would seem that these special opportunities we are given really do “matter.” Puppet Show a 35-Year Tradition The Second Grade at Valley Elementary recently presented their World Famous Puppet Plays. The annual puppet performance was held April 5 at the school in Huntsville. The Puppet Plays are a great second grade tradition. This is the 35th anniversary of these shows. Mrs. Helen Shiozawa, a former Valley teacher, started these plays when she was teaching at Riverdale Elementary thirty-five years ago. When Mrs. Shiozawa came to Valley, she brought these dearly loved plays with her, and started the lasting tradition at Valley. Every second grader is a star in these shows. Over one hundred wheat paste and newspaper puppets are constructed, painted, and dressed in a most stylish fashion to fit their part. Every second grader must learn their part, learn how second grade. They also enjoy listening to the former students express their fond remembrances of doing these plays. There are over 3,500 puppets residing in this Valley. Some Valley teachers, Miss Hedges and Mrs. Baatuitui, are past famous second grade puppeteers. Through the years, improvements have been made to the production. Several years ago a beautiful stage was constructed by Bill Whitehead. Sound quality has been greatly improved by a new sound system. On the evening of the grand performance, the Multi-purpose Room at Valley School is packed with a standing-room-only crowd. Each puppet show is beautifully performed. The audience always shows enthusiasm and great appreciation for the performance. The children’s faces show the pride they Students try out new experiments. Tony Divino Toyota of Ogden Comes Again to Valley Elementary School Isaac Johnson, B.J. Liau, Kade opportunity to win a savings bond at Turner, and Hank Storey won best stu- our final ride around the block this dent budget June. Mrs. Andrea awards for third Storey was this quarquarter and ter’s parent winner. received a ride She presented a around the block budgeting lesson at in a silver Toyota the award ceremony Sequoia 2001 that demonstrated SUV. Each stuhow quickly a lot of dent will now be money can go as bills a possible winner mount. She wins of the grand coupons from Tony prizes presented Savings bond winners stand proudly Divino for best deals by Tony Divino in front of the Toyota Sequoia SUV on a car and money Toyota of they got to ride in. off on a service at his Ogden—EIGHT FIFTY DOLLAR service shop. savings bonds. Eight of the sixteen Wow, Tony Divino of Ogden. best budget students will have the Thank You! WASATCH PAVING ‘WE MAKE IT BLACK’ Asphalt Driveways Patching Sealcoat Application & General Maintenance LAY NEW*REPLACE OLD*RESTORE EXISTING Spring Sealcoat Special 22 cents per sq. ft. Expires 6/15/01 745-3006 Valley students perform with their puppets in the annual puppet show. to manipulate their puppet, and work with his or her team to perform the play. Thirteen puppet plays were presented this year. As these plays are presented to the Valley students, the second grade teachers take great joy in watching their former students mouth the parts they performed when they were in feel in their achievements. As the last puppet is taken home and the lights are turned out, you can hear Mrs. Whitehead, Mrs. Facer, Mrs. Hawks, and Miss Hedges give a sigh of relief and then say, “Only eleven months, then we can start again!” One Moment in Time Photography We work with our customers to produce a piece of art. Outdoor Settings Color and B&W Natural Light Weddings Senior Any Portraits Architectural Call 745-2778 or 745-1265 for more information. |