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Some years ago, teachers were needed for the summer day camp at our church. I had taught religious education classes during the school year but had never been involved with the summer program. Since my DD was enrolled in the summer session that year, I guess it made sense for someone to ask if I was willing to teach a class. It was only three hours daily for one week, and I didn't really have a good reason to refuse.
I had a fabulous group of going-into-third-graders who loved to sing and dance. They were bright and full of energy, and it was a challenge to keep them entertained as they learned some basic principles of faith. By the end of the week, the students were expected to share some aspect of their learning with the other participants, teachers, and parents.
When I reviewed the syllabus for my students, I couldn't help thinking about the themes in "Really Rosie" that included the song "Chicken Soup With Rice". I was sure that the story and songs from the musical would enhance the week-long curriculum for my students. For whatever reason, the children were hooked on that song and wanted to perform it at the end-of-the-summer program. They were adorable as they sang, danced, and pantomimed the lyrics: How could I say "no"?
Well, little did I know until the rehearsal on Thursday that all of the other classes' performances were of a religious nature, and here were my students singing and dancing along with Carole King's "Chicken Soup With Rice"! Oh, my once! Oh, my twice! What was BetteDavisEyes to do?
By the time that DD and I got home that day, I had a plan and hoped and prayed that it would work. I called a handful of parents whose children were in my class and asked them to contact as many other parents as they could to bring cans of Chicken Rice Soup the following day. Not only would my students be entertaining with this song, but they would also be caring, sharing, and encouraging others to do the same.
The response was overwhelming, and I will never forget how proud my class was of their accomplishment. Their performance was a hit, to be sure, but the soup collection was definitely the best thing that happened during the week of summer church camp - faith in action. The soup was donated to a local food pantry.
Thoughts and prayers for Kyron!
I had a fabulous group of going-into-third-graders who loved to sing and dance. They were bright and full of energy, and it was a challenge to keep them entertained as they learned some basic principles of faith. By the end of the week, the students were expected to share some aspect of their learning with the other participants, teachers, and parents.
When I reviewed the syllabus for my students, I couldn't help thinking about the themes in "Really Rosie" that included the song "Chicken Soup With Rice". I was sure that the story and songs from the musical would enhance the week-long curriculum for my students. For whatever reason, the children were hooked on that song and wanted to perform it at the end-of-the-summer program. They were adorable as they sang, danced, and pantomimed the lyrics: How could I say "no"?
Well, little did I know until the rehearsal on Thursday that all of the other classes' performances were of a religious nature, and here were my students singing and dancing along with Carole King's "Chicken Soup With Rice"! Oh, my once! Oh, my twice! What was BetteDavisEyes to do?
By the time that DD and I got home that day, I had a plan and hoped and prayed that it would work. I called a handful of parents whose children were in my class and asked them to contact as many other parents as they could to bring cans of Chicken Rice Soup the following day. Not only would my students be entertaining with this song, but they would also be caring, sharing, and encouraging others to do the same.
The response was overwhelming, and I will never forget how proud my class was of their accomplishment. Their performance was a hit, to be sure, but the soup collection was definitely the best thing that happened during the week of summer church camp - faith in action. The soup was donated to a local food pantry.
Thoughts and prayers for Kyron!
