Last spring the Bronx was buzzing!
CWP 2nd graders at P.S./M.S. 279 Captain Manuel Rivera Jr. School compiled an anthology of their writing and art around the theme of community and citizenship. “I will use what I have learned to be a good citizen and help make my school a better place,” is a statement in the school’s community pledge.
Students wrote short plays after exploring character, setting, conflict, and dialogue with CWP Teaching Artists Amanda Dettman and Morgan Sendek. They wrote their plays, asking, “What do we want the audience to feel?”
Plays include Dangerous Tsunami, The Sisters Who Got Bullied, Jeremy’s Pet Shop has an Earthquake, and A Pond and a Person in Disguise.
Read all of the plays and see the student artwork HERE
A Pond and a Person in Disguise
(Rosie the Cat is singing “Happy Birthday to me…” in a sad voice)
Lyle the Dog: Hi Rosie! Beautiful voice.
Rosie the Cat: Thank you. I’m going to the animal shelter.
Lyle the Dog: Why? Because you need a home?
Rosie the Cat: Yes.
Lyle the Dog: I live there! Let’s go!
(They stop at the zoo along the way and watch)
Animal Safety Person Jacob: Hi, King Frog. Hi Elephant!
Frog: Hi! Elephant: Hi!
(Frog slips on rock in pond)
A.S.P. Jacob: Hi, I’m Jacob, in charge of animal safety. You probably didn’t recognize me because I’m in disguise. What happened to you frog? Do you need help?
Frog: Yes! I slipped on a rock in the pond and hit my head!
A.S.P. Jacob: Don’t worry! I’m good at my job and I’m going to save you!
(Worker helps but their wig falls off into water)
A.S.P. Jacob: Oh no! My wig fell off!
(Frog climbs up wig)
Frog: I got it! Plus I am saved!
A.S.P. Jacob: Thank you!
Frog: You’re welcome!
A.S.P. Jacob: Go back to your cage…
Our students also collaborated on eight murals touching on the themes of community, identity, togetherness, empathy, heroism, and service to others.
Community is Peace
Quiet and Loud
It is Different People
Growing Together
It is Our Love
From a Towering Mountain
To the Depths of Atlantis,
We are Universally Fantastic
Brains Exploding
From Bravery
Go To The Park Together
And Have Fun
Ride Bikes Home and Make Food
Share Popcorn and Watch Movies…
I Will Help You
If You Need Help
I Would Like
To Help An Animal
Because If One Gets Lost
I Can Save It
It’s Wild Working
Together With The
Smell of Success in the Room
You Know it’s Teamwork
Heroes
The Ones Who Raised Me
and Smush Danger
Under Their Feet
Los Mas Fuertes Del Mundo
Beautiful Hospital
I Want To Solve
World-wide Cancer
So Everyone Can Have Peace
And No One Will Be Sad
