Submitted by Jennifer Komassa, Wisconsin

Idea posted June 5, 2002

Just wanted to share what my 7th graders have put together for our Spring Performance this year. We are presenting "Who Are Our Heroes? A U.S.O. Show For You." It's basically a variety show with:

  • some numbers that are purely entertaining - "Carmen Banana's Song" (from Music K-8, Vol. 12, No. 2); "Blarney" (from Music K-8, Vol. 12, No. 1); "Yodelady" (from Music K-8, Vol. 12, No. 3); "This Show Is Over" (from Music K-8, Vol. 12, No. 3);
  • an intergenerational twist (our 5th grade has an "adopted" grandfather who sings in a Barbershop Quartet; the quartet is planning to sing at the show and the 5th grade is singing their version of one of the songs);
  • pieces with a patriotic theme - "God Bless America;" "The Heart Of America" (from Music K-8, Vol. 11, No. 3); "God Bless The U.S.A.;" "National Anthem;" plus several patriotic pieces played by our band;
  • and one tearjerker - "You Are Our Heroes" (from Music K-8, Vol. 12, No. 4).

Our theme is that heroes are not only people who perform acts that get on national television, but also are the people who make sure your homework is done and drive you to soccer practice.

I printed a sheet for each participant (170) with a picture frame and lines beneath it for them to tell why they chose the person they did for hero status. I told them they had to choose a REAL person, living or dead, who they knew or who they knew of. We are going to put the hero sheets up in the lobby area so that the audience can view them the night of our performance. I'm also hoping to use some "virtual" scenery in the form of PowerPoint presentations to go along with some of the songs. To carry through the U.S.O. idea, some of the students are dressing up in uniforms, carrying in the flag, and telling about the U.S.O. and the idea of the U.S.O. show.

All the grade 4-7 students seem to be excited about the show and are working hard to learn their parts. As you can see from all the Music K-8 music, I'm very glad we teachers have such a wonderful resource!