Special Days and Their Observance: September 1919Anonymous
History
Special Days and Their Observance: September 1919
Anonymous
Holidays -- United States; Schools -- Exercises and recreations -- New Jersey
A good method of preparing the program is to bring before the class who
has been decided upon to render the festival the fact that this grade
has been appointed to do this bit of patriotic service. Tell them about
the festival, its simple aims; about the historic material on which
the day is founded. Have the pupils write their ideas about developing
the program. These may be discussed, and the best suggestions can be
used about which to form an outline. This is admirable training for
the pupils. Not infrequently surprises occur; unsuspected talents are
discovered; and often the children who have appeared as dullards in
them regular school subjects will take an interest which will lead to
salutary results. Many times children will enjoy working on such plans
and develop a new interest in their studies. The children should also
be asked for suggestions as to developing the stage scenery, costumes,
etc. Frequently their suggestions, with slight modifications, have an
effectiveness beyond the reach of the teacher. Of course we as teachers
must be satisfied with rather crude suggestions, and work up to a
satisfactory result.
The stage setting should always be simple, but suggestive. Often a
play-festival may be rendered with little or no scenery. In fact, most
of our present school programs are given without even a semblance
of scenery or decorations. Some simple stage setting, scenery, or
decorations will add wonderfully to the effect of your program, and
this will be found easy to accomplish. This is particularly true of
the Thanksgiving Day program. In the rural districts, especially, can
be found the proper materials for this day. Such things as cornstalks,
pumpkins, apples, fruits, cereals, and vegetables of many kinds will
meet your needs. Whatever is good for a harvest home celebration may be
used to celebrate Thanksgiving.
It is desirable, also, to have simple costumes. The teacher should not
be burdened with the making of the costumes. Arouse the interest of
your class, and they will take home this interest. The result will be
that the teacher will get more than he had hoped or suggested.
The work of preparing the music should be done during the period of the
day when singing is usually done. The music is very valuable. The whole
school appreciates music and singing. It is the one unifying influence
within the reach of the school. If all the various classes are used to
promote the play-festival a practical correlation of the work of the
school may be profitably accomplished.
THE PROGRAM
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