Milton’s Fifth Grade Brings Broadway to Rye
On June 9, fifth grade students at Milton School enjoyed a Broadway Luncheon that culminated their year of learning. The art and music teachers developed the idea for this interdisciplinary unit, which showcased artwork and research projects while also featuring several song performances. Parents and staff members joined the proud students as they excitedly shared the results of their efforts in the classroom that connected to the Broadway theme.
The auditorium walls were adorned with students’ excellent work and lunch tables were assembled with decorations representative of Broadway and New York City. The fifth-graders exhibited all types of projects with a special emphasis on Les Miserables, the musical that they saw during a trip to Manhattan later in the week. They learned about the traditional Playbill cover and used pencil, Sharpie markers, and watercolor to create their own. A lesson in sewing instructed students on how to stitch fabric pieces and form French flags like those presented in Les Miserables. Other art pieces involving pastels, watercolor, and creative effects focused on comedy tragedy masks, which symbolize theater and drama. Crayon melt projects were favorites among the fifth-graders and tied in with Finian’s Rainbow, the production that the class produced and starred in as this year’s musical.
Writing assignments that were completed during library time in the media center were designed as mock resumes and advertisements for various theater-related jobs. Using books and websites, students learned about different Broadway careers and their credentials, and two students chose to report on the history of Broadway.
The children welcomed their audience by singing songs from Les Miserables and Finian's Rainbow. Following the musical presentation, the students were treated to a sit down lunch in celebration of a successful event, admirable work, and an outstanding year.
