Upper grade students at Marshall Elementary are celebrating the award-winning children’s book, “One” by Kathryn Otoshi. It’s a story about a shy but happy character, Blue. One day, a mean color, Red, bullies Blue. But none of Blue’s friends stand up for him. It’s a tale about being brave and standing up for yourself and your friends. After performing an interactive read aloud with the fourth grade class, we had a provocative discussion about bullying and integrity. The topic was such a success, that the Theater Elective incorporated the topic into the curriculum for a 6-week cycle.
The group of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders created a script for the story “One”, and after designing bold capes for costumes, a backdrop of a meadow for the setting, and other crafty props, the students have been tremendously eager to perform the script during the culminating event of the elective cycle. After engaging in these enriching activities encompassing a relevant message for students at this age, they all seem to understand that despite adversity, like the author says, “It takes just One.”
-Julie McNamara, 4th Grade Classroom Coordinator