|
|
|
McPherson USD 418 elementary students had the opportunity to experience literature coming to life this week thanks to a grant given by the McPherson Community Education Foundation.
The four schools took turns attending matinee performances of “James and the Giant Peach” at McPherson College and were allotted a question and answer time with the cast following the show.
“It gives (the students) an opportunity to compare the written story to the adaptation brought to theater,” said Louise Kearney, grant writer and Eisenhower Elementary School reading specialist. “For a number of kids, (they are) able to go to the theater and really relate better to the story because they actually see it acted out and the characters are really portraying the emotions and the expressions. It brings a deeper understanding.”
A grant of $1,420 made this possible, which covered admission costs and funds to add the book to each school’s library.
The Education Foundation gave its first grant like this in the 1996-1997 school year and now continues the tradition every other year.
Each show the schools watch has a tie to children’s literature. The first year, students watched “Peter Rabbit.” Other performances have included “Beauty and the Beast,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “Pinocchio,” “Cinderella,” “Honk” and others.
Kearney has been writing the grants since 2003.
“It’s really beneficial for kids to understand what takes place to bring these things to life,” she said. “Maybe when they go back and read the book they read with another level of understanding.”
Not only is it educational, but it is also fun.
“It’s really enjoyable for the kids,” Kearney said.
This is especially true when special effects grace the stage.
“It’s really fun to watch the kids as some special effect or activity is in the play, to get that ‘aha’ moment,” Kearney said. “It’s helping kids see there’s more opportunity with literature and the different ways it can be interpreted. (It) creates a love for reading.”
Paul Carver, fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary, thinks these and other unique aspects of plays are beneficial for children.
“I think it’s important kids get exposed to different forms of media,” he said.
Carver said he heard his students talking after show, and many comments were about the lightening, costumes and how different it was from seeing a movie in the theater.
“I think it’s good to start showing them there is a certain amount of imagination and audience participation that goes into the play,” Carver said. “It was neat for them to see how it goes from a literature source to how it’s interpreted into an audible play.”
McPherson USD 418 elementary students had the opportunity to experience literature coming to life this week thanks to a grant given by the McPherson Community Education Foundation.
The four schools took turns attending matinee performances of “James and the Giant Peach” at McPherson College and were allotted a question and answer time with the cast following the show.
“It gives (the students) an opportunity to compare the written story to the adaptation brought to theater,” said Louise Kearney, grant writer and Eisenhower Elementary School reading specialist. “For a number of kids, (they are) able to go to the theater and really relate better to the story because they actually see it acted out and the characters are really portraying the emotions and the expressions. It brings a deeper understanding.”
A grant of $1,420 made this possible, which covered admission costs and funds to add the book to each school’s library.
The Education Foundation gave its first grant like this in the 1996-1997 school year and now continues the tradition every other year.
Each show the schools watch has a tie to children’s literature. The first year, students watched “Peter Rabbit.” Other performances have included “Beauty and the Beast,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “Pinocchio,” “Cinderella,” “Honk” and others.
Kearney has been writing the grants since 2003.
“It’s really beneficial for kids to understand what takes place to bring these things to life,” she said. “Maybe when they go back and read the book they read with another level of understanding.”
Not only is it educational, but it is also fun.
“It’s really enjoyable for the kids,” Kearney said.
This is especially true when special effects grace the stage.
“It’s really fun to watch the kids as some special effect or activity is in the play, to get that ‘aha’ moment,” Kearney said. “It’s helping kids see there’s more opportunity with literature and the different ways it can be interpreted. (It) creates a love for reading.”
Paul Carver, fourth- and fifth-grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary, thinks these and other unique aspects of plays are beneficial for children.
“I think it’s important kids get exposed to different forms of media,” he said.
Carver said he heard his students talking after show, and many comments were about the lightening, costumes and how different it was from seeing a movie in the theater.
“I think it’s good to start showing them there is a certain amount of imagination and audience participation that goes into the play,” Carver said. “It was neat for them to see how it goes from a literature source to how it’s interpreted into an audible play.”
Education Foundation
The mission of the McPherson Community Education Foundation is to “enhance the basic public support of the educational programs and goals of the McPherson Unified School District for the benefit of students.”
It provides schools with the opportunity for “education above and beyond” by having a grant application, evaluation and selection process each school year for additional funding.
There are typically 10 to 20 applicants. There is no cap on the amount a teacher may request, and each grant is situation dependent.
This year, there were 13 individuals awarded funds, totaling $24,141.49.
The Education Foundation’s funds come from private donations, endowments and other sources. It annually allocates 5 to 7 percent of the $350,000 total funds for grants.
The foundation, in partnership with the McPherson County Community Foundation, was incorporated in 1990. It is now governed by a volunteer board of trustees, comprised of a cross-section of the community, with 15 to 25 members. It conducts activities through four officers and four committees, which are led by trustees and include members from the community.
