Since December, students at Ansonia’s Prendergast School have been reading the works of famed storyteller Roald Dahl, then writing scripts based on those books. Prendergast teachers Angela Coughlin and Meghan McGill submitted the following article, written by students involved in the project.
Fourth and sixth grade students at Prendergast Elementary School in Ansonia are really proving that when they work together they can persevere and do anything they put their minds to.
Students have been working attentively and persistently on a live production centered around Roald Dahl’s most famous books, including “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Matilda,” and “James and the Giant Peach.” The event, titled “The Climb: Persevering through the Works of Roald Dahl,” premiered for students Monday (April 8) followed by two performances Tuesday.
The central theme of the production is that if you persevere you can do anything.
Roald Dahl, the author of these three books, inadvertently sends a message that even the toughest obstacles can be beat.
The sixth graders wrote a script for each book highlighting the main character’s journey in persevering to reach a goal. Also, with the guidance of sixth grade student leaders, the fourth graders are brought the production to life.
This production of perseverance was made possible by an educational grant from The Jamie A. Hulley Arts Foundation. This non-profit organization offers mini grant programs to selective schools in order to enhance the curriculum, encourage collective collaboration, expose students to new ways of thinking, and broaden student appreciation of the arts.
The grant has given students an opportunity to work with a local artist, Lara Morton, from Madison, Connecticut. She’s has been helping and giving advice to both fourth- and sixth-graders on how to successfully run a performance and act with expression and emotion in order to tell a story effectively.
Lara comes once every few weeks to work with the students.
The students and staff of Prendergast School are delighted to have received this grant.
When asked “What does this production mean to the students at Prendergast School?” fourth grader, Ricky Bermudez was excited about the message it sends, stating, “Even the toughest obstacles can be beat.”
Another student, Taeshaun Sanchez, explained: “The play will be a good thing to have fun activities for the kids at Prendergast School.”
According to fourth grade teacher Beth Williams, “The production is a good opportunity for the students to show their artistic skills.”
In addition, Assistant Principal Sherrod McNeill feels that this is a chance for the students to showcase their talents.
