Today was SHOW time! We started out with two shortened morning classes and then were to rehearsal with EVYERBODY for the first time. This went considerable better than yesterday when each group was practicing but still quite a few “kinks”. 400 hundred children at on and off stage, as well as learning a LOT of new material in English in only really four days is AMAZING. And we also have the problem that when they are not on stage they are supposed to sit quietly and wait. For many children, not their best skills.
In my teaching time today with my four classes, I shared our new book How Baby Coyote Learned to Howl. I showed the book; talked about different vocabulary words and then told/read it to the students while my Chinese teacher/helper sat beside me and showed the other half of the class the pictures. It was a hit. When I asked them if children in China liked this book, my boy replied, “Off course!” Another girl said, “I want to buy this book.” Yes! What a joy to be able to share the result of all of that hard, hard work over these last several years and have it really pay off.
The book works well with a range of ages, as well as for English Language Development students. What a great field test to share it in China! Another teacher shared it with the teenagers, and, although they were clear that it was an easy book for children, they LOVED the story and the illustrations. It is very interesting for everyone to hear about the process of writing and book. The students in the younger groups here will be continuing to “write their own books” during the next week. They have never done this, but are very excited.
During the final 15 minutes of the day on Friday (primo teaching time of the week!!!!) the parents were invited to come to our class and observe. My students practiced their choral poems one more time. Then they were able to show and read to their parents the small books that they were writing for the reading class.
The parents were so encouraging of their children. It was wonderful to see them interested and so proud when their child brought their books and shared them. Wow!
Then everybody went down to the
school auditorium, which seats 700 people. Because it was at the end of the workday, some parents were not able to attend, but many were there. The theatre was full.
All of the staff was nervous. Could we really pull this off: 400 kids, lots of new materials, and songs with accompaniment? Memorized pieces, and ones with scripts? Props, backdrops? YES! We/they did it! Every group rose to the occasion and performed beautifully!
I was especially proud of our advanced beginner group. The filed on, smiled, said their lines with gusto, and did they sing?! The Lion Sleeps Tonight has never sounded so sincere. They sang loudly, and then very quietly on” Hush my darling…” coming back with Aweeeeeee aweeeuuumm away like angels. Go B Team!!!!!!
All of the other groups did terrifically, also. From singing Slippery Fish going through the water, to a medley of Somewhere Over the Rainbow and What a Wonderful World, to Jungle Love and Under the Sear (from The Little Mermaid).
Then we ended with the entire place singing We are the World, we are the children. Okay, we were skeptical that this song has been so overdone that it would just be silly. But it was lovely. Everyone sang with such power, and they loved doing the arm movements that went along. Even my 5th grade boys who were texting during the show.
Afterwards, we were all exhausted, but very pleased. The Chinese school officials were stoked. They couldn’t believe that it had come together so well. One of the school officials said that he was sure Chinese parents had never seen anything like this before. The Chinese way would be for 2 or 3 of the very best students to perform. All of the parents got to see every child on stage. It really was fantastic.
As Americans, we had never seen such a pageant come together so quickly. These students can learn songs so quickly, sometimes just hearing a line sung through one time. And the really could learn to do movements so fast. My group poem had a line where they said, “give a little clap” which went with a “clap”. Everyone got it right on the beat. NEVER was someone off. We were highly fortunate that they could learn so quickly. We also had very talented teachers, especially those teaching the kids music. I was highly proud to be part of this crew. Everyone pulled together in such a GREAT manner. Go everybody!!!!
We went back to the hotel and then had the chance to meet with a master tailor who began orders to make custom clothing for us. My roommate has a couple of grand design she is wanting. I will likely get a silk jacket made. It is a very interesting process. Luckily, we are able to have Eugene, one of the heads of the program translate. He is also quite a clothing designer besides being an architect. This process will continue with fabric samples on Sunday night.
Dinner was on our own, and then Jenny and I joined the young music team for a midnight swimming party in the school district pool next to our hotel. Silly and rowdy, but super fun. Jenny was writing haikus about midnight in China, the sky is orange…which it was. The rain would come and go and the pool was a perfect warm temperature. Was a great way to end a VERY long day.
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