Teaching Tolerance Through Music

The staff and students at Centennial Park School (CPS) in Chateauguay worked hard to put on a musical called Honk Jr!  Students in grade 4,5 and 6 were involved in the play as actors and the whole school was involved in lessons surrounding the meaning behind the play. 

CPS teacher Moira Lemme explains that Honk JR! is “based on the story of the ugly duckling, and teaches us that everyone is different in their own way... and different isn't a good thing or a bad thing - it’s just different, and if we were all the same we would live in such a boring world”.

It was noted that some students who at times struggle in academics, blew the audience away with their performance and gained a lot of confidence.  Specifically, “students directly involved [in the musical] learned that they are capable of things they had no idea of. They gained confidence and understanding that places to learn outside of the regular classroom exist and as young people, they too can give back to the community and teach lessons to the younger students”.

Partnerships

Howard S. Billings High School supported the musical by setting up the sound and lighting. Secondary students in the IB program taught the elementary students a few things about life on the stage. The musical was performed for the Chateauguay English Community Network, a group of seniors dedicated to lifelong learning, as well as the school community.

Learning Happens Everywhere

We asked Ms. Lemme  what the students learned by participating in the Community Service Learning project?  She wrote that “students learned that it is unkind to say mean things to each other, and that we can't judge people based on what they look like”.  Grade 1 teacher, and director of the play - Carol Ann Fruciano, taught students about making connections and noted that after reading a book about a “mean” character the grade one students immediately related it to Honk.  Realizing a direct expectation from the QEPs  “Connecting text to text and text to world”.

Ms. Lemme concludes by saying that “Honk Jr! was a fabulous experience for the students at CPS. The audience was blown away at the level of professionalism and performance that 9-12 year olds could create. It was A LOT of work for the teacher involved (some of us are still recovering) but it was well worth it to hear the kids say after how great they felt. One student said after his performance "Ms. Lemme, that was the greatest thing I have ever done - I didn't know I could do something that well!"”

Thank you and congratulations to everyone that was involved.   I imagine the anti-bullying message will stick in the minds of everyone involved. The leadership opportunities, and chances to shine will positively engage the students as they continue along their education path.

Centennial Park School is located in the community of Chateauguay- New Frontiers School Board