Drama, Drama, Materials to Dramatize Stories!

Funded Jul 28, 2024

I am deeply grateful for your support. Your donation has allowed me to implement a new curriculum that uses manipulatives to help my students better understand stories. With your help, my students could dramatize stories and explore the author's message using the materials. For example, we read The Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. The main character struggles to create a magnificent thing. She has many revisions, and while she doesn't appreciate the beauty of her work, others do. In the end, she sees that her project benefited others.

Additionally, the main character uses the habits of character: initiative, collaboration (with her pet dog), and perseverance. Building on the story's message, my first graders used the Cuisenairre Rods to plan their magnificent thing. After planning, my students made magnificent things to help our classroom environment. Each group decided what to make and what materials would best help them construct the project. After many "revisions," each group displayed their magnificent thing. My students are proud of their creations! The projects include restroom passes, a reading bin, a homework folder bin, and a mailbox. Other materials, such as the spoons and jump ropes, allowed my students to "dramatize" and practice initiative, collaboration, and perseverance. Your generous donation has helped my students understand the value of these materials, enabling them to explore valuable habits of character. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Daniels