Submitted by Kristy Hewitt, Lake Oswego, Oregon
Idea posted June 3, 2004
Add me to the list of successful performances of The Unity Tree. Every single one of my 110 first and second graders got to trot up on stage and have a speaking line at the microphones. Everyone thinks I am superwomen, and yet it was pretty easy to pull off, once the logistics were worked out.
Highlights included:1. "Raining Cats And Dogs" - One class entered in groups of two and three at spaced intervals with dollar store kid-sized umbrellas. They ran across the stage (á la Mary Poppins) and down to the gym floor, where they did a synchronized umbrella routine. (Well, as synchronized as seven and eight year olds can be with umbrellas in their hands!) It was simple and it looked great!
2. "United We Stand" - A group of six darling first grade girls did a ribbon wand routine during the second half of the song.
3. When we turned the "No Dogs Allowed!" and "Cats Stay Out!" signs around, the backs of the signs had a picture of a cat and dog holding paws. (The image was taken from the Teacher's Edition.) The audience couldn't help but go "Awhhhhh!"
4. Our tree was made of paper and taped to the wall. For the ribbon down the middle of the tree, I used a strip of yellow "Caution, Do Not Enter!" plastic tape. (My little bit of humor.)
Costumes were simply posterboard ears made by the kids in their classrooms. The only clothes requirement was to dress lightly as it got extremely hot during the performance.