POPEJOY SCHOOLTIME SERIES TEACHING GUIDE GRADES: K - 5

D C EE TM H SR A RA C

Dreamcatchers Teaching Guides align with the National Standards and the New Mexico State Standards.

Miss Nelson Has a Field Day

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Return to Horace B. Smedley School where the Smedley Tornadoes have never won a

football game. In fact, they have never even scored a single point! The football players

are depressed and the students are finding it harder than ever to cheer for their

favorite team. With such a poor record and a team that is out of control, kindhearted

Miss Nelson comes to the rescue when she enlists the help of her alter ego, the ill-

tempered Miss Viola Swamp, to coach the team and whip them into shape.

Considered by all to be “the meanest substitute teacher in the whole world,”

Coach Swamp applies her trademark discipline to the players’ training, demanding

tough exercises and no back talk. Under Coach Swamp’s leadership, the Smedley

Tornadoes begin to turn things around, but will it be enough to defeat the top-ranked

Werewolves at the end of the season?

Synopsis

‘‘Standards Addressed By Attending the Performance

NMCASTH:Re7.1

TH:Re9.1

CCSSELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL

Math.Practice.MP

NMPEStandards 5, 6, 7

Curriculum Connections

Performing & Visual Arts/Theatre, Music, Dance; Physical

Education; Mathematics; English Language Arts

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”

–LES BROWN

Miss Nelson Has a Field Day THU | JAN 23 | 2020 TEACHING GUIDE DREAMCATCHERS 3

Vocabularyadaptation — the process of changing to fit some purpose or situation

announced — said out loud

blanketed — to completely cover with a thick layer of something

coach — a person who teaches and trains an athlete or performer

clobbered — hit someone hard

depressed — sad, discouraged

discussion — a conversation between two people

expert — a person who has special skill or knowledge relating to a particular subject

gloom — a mood of sadness or sorrow

measles — a very contagious disease that causes a fever and red itchy spots on the skin

pitiful — causing pity or sympathy

puzzled — feeling confused

shimmering — to shine with or reflect light that seems to wave a little

substitute — a person or thing that takes the place of someone or something else

to make mincemeat of — to destroy, ruin, or defeat (someone or something) in a very thorough and complete way

teamwork — when many people work together to reach a goal.

Fun Facts for Students• The NFL stands for National Football League. It’s the world’s most popular football league and it’s based in the United States.

• A football field is a total of 100 yards long. There are stripes that go all the way across the field that signal every 10th yard. There are hash marks at every yard so the players and officials know where to place the ball.

• The word “football” refers to the game of soccer everywhere except in the USA.

• The first African-American quarterback to play in the NFL was Willie Thrower, who played for the Chicago Bears in 1953.

• The Indianapolis Colts were the first NFL team to have cheerleaders.

• Terry Bradshaw is the first and only player in the NFL to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

• Only one pair of brothers have both been Super Bowl MVPs. That honor belongs to Eli and Peyton Manning.

• The Super Bowl holds the record for the most-watched show in television history.

• Since 1944, only five teams have had winless seasons in the NFL: the 1960 Dallas Cowboys (0–11–1), the 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0–14), the 1982 Baltimore Colts (0–8–1), the 2008 Detroit Lions (0–16), and the 2017 Cleveland Browns (0–16).

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Harry AllardHarry Allard was born in Evanston, Illinois on January 27th, 1928. He grew up in California, Long Island, and Chicago. He graduated from Northwestern College in 1943 and then performed active duty in Korea. Harry met James Marshall in Boston, whose art and friendship inspired Allard’s first book, The Stupids Step Out. This successful collaboration paved the way for the publication of other Stupids books and the Miss Nelson series. Miss Nelson is Missing was voted one of the most memorable books of the century.

James Marshall James Edward Marshall (October 10, 1942 – October 13, 1992) was an American illustrator and writer of children’s books, probably best known for the George and Martha series of picture books. He illustrated books exclusively as James Marshall; when he created both text and illustrations he sometimes wrote as Edward Marshall. In 2007 the U.S. professional librarians posthumously awarded him the biennial Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal for “substantial and lasting contribution” to American children’s literature.

About the Author/ Illustrator

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Objectives

• Various objects

Procedure 1. Pick four or more different objects, such as a coffee can, a potato peeler, a knit hat, and a book. Split

students into small even teams.

2. Present a situation where each team has to solve the same problem using only those objects. (Tip:

Don’t make the scenarios so easy that it is obvious which objects will be most useful.)

3. For example, they are:

a. stranded on a desert island and must find a way to get off or to survive as a group;

b. must save the world from Godzilla, zombies, aliens, etc.

4. Give the teams five to ten minutes (adjust based on grade level) to figure out an original solution to

the scenario, including ranking each object based on its usefulness and why.

5. When the time is up, have each team present their solution along with their reasoning to the class.

6. Have the whole class compare and contrast the solutions.

7. Have them vote on which solution presented they think is the best.

8. Explain that as a team, a group can usually only have one solution to the problem to put into effect.

While they might not all agree on which solution is best for them as an individual, they need to consider

which is best for the team and provides the solution with the best chance of success.

9. Using a new scenario and new objects, double the size of the teams. Repeat the process.

10. Discuss how the process changed. What was harder? Easier? How did disagreements come to

consensus? Etc.

11. Using a new scenario and new objects, the whole class must discuss and come to consensus. Repeat

step 9.

Students will use creative problem-solving techniques.

Creative SolutionsLesson 1

Grades 3 - 6

CCSSELA-Literacy.CCRA.L

ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL

NMCASTH:Cr1.1

TH:Cr2

TH:Re9.1

Extensions/Modifications

Assessment

• Have the class provide ideas on a slip of paper and pick from a jar. Vote on a couple of suggestions.

• Have the class vote a “captain” or “coach” who makes all the decisions. How did that feel? When is this

system of decision making appropriate or not?

• Quality of participation/teamwork/communication

Materials

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Objectives

• Hula Hoops - one for each student

• Objects placed about the floor of the room

• Gym, cafeteria, field, or large open space

Procedure 1. Students sort into teams of 4-6.

2. Line the hula hoops up at the end of a field or large open space. Make sure they are touching. One

per student on each team.

3. Set out four or five objects in front of the lines, such as cones, foam blocks, or balls.

4. Students stand in the center of each hoop to form teams of “caterpillars.”

5. The goal of the game is to collect as many objects as possible by moving the caterpillar forward. To

move forward, the last player in line steps into the hoop with the player in front of them, picks up their

empty hoop, and passes it overhead to the front of the line.

6. The front player then places the hoop on the ground in front of them and steps into it.

7. Every player then shifts forward, moving the caterpillar.

8. Only the front player may pick up objects, but it is the team’s job to carry the collected objects

throughout the game.

9. The game ends when there are no more objects on the ground.

10. Ask the students:

a. What system did you set up to have your caterpillar move efficiently?

b. What were some obstacles you faced as a team in this game?

c. How did you overcome those obstacles?

Students will:

• work as a team to achieve a common goal;

• communicate their ideas and make group decisions.

CaterpillarsLesson 2

Grades 1 - 5

CCSSMath.Practice.MP1

ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL

NMPEStandards 1, 2, 5, 6

Materials

Extensions/Modifications

Assessment

• Caterpillar Races — Each team lines up behind a line in the gym and the goal is to get past a line that

is on the other side of the gym before time runs out.

• Mix up the teams — Boys vs Girls, Alphabetically by first or last name, Birth Month or Day, etc.

• Blind Caterpillars — Have all the players on a team blindfolded except for the last player of that team.

That player must guide their team throughout the activity.

• Quality of participation/teamwork/communication

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Bonus Explorations Attend a sporting event as a class. Have them watch for ways that the players demonstrate sportsmanship, how they work as a team, and how discipline and hard work help them to achieve their goals.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

Minefield — Arrange a multi-level obstacle course and divide students into teams. Students take turns navigating the “minefield” while blindfolded with only their teammates to guide them.

You can also require students to only use certain words or clues to make it challenging or content-area specific.

Flip It Over Challenge — This activity takes a little creative thinking. Divide students into two teams. One team will do the challenge first while the other team watches, then they will switch places. Have all members of the team stand on a flat bed sheet, tarp, or blanket (kids should fill up all but about a quarter of the space). Challenge the team to flip over the sheet/tarp so that they are standing on the other side of the sheet/tarp without stepping off or touching the ground.

ResourcesBOOKS

Allard Jr., Harry and Marshall, James. Miss Nelson is Missing! HMH Books for Young Readers, 1985. (PreK - 3)

Allard Jr., Harry and Marshall, James. Miss Nelson is Back. HMH Books for Young Readers, 1986. (PreK - 3)

Allard Jr., Harry and Marshall, James. The Stupids Step Out. HMH Books for Young Readers, 1977. (PreK - 3)

Andreae, Giles and Guy Parker-Rees. Giraffes Can’t Dance. Cartwheel Books, 2012. (PreK - 3)

Hoffman, Mary and Caroline Binch. Amazing Grace. Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 2007. (K - 5)

Jordan, Deloras with Roslyn M. Jordan. Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of His Dreams. Simon & Schuster Books for Young

Readers, 2003. (PreK – 3)

Marshall, James. Goldilocks and The Three Bears. Dial Books, 1988). (Grades PreK - 3)

Marshall, James and Sendak, Maurice. George and Martha: The Complete Stories of Two Best Friends. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1997. (Grades 2 - 3)

Piper, Watty. The Little Engine That Could. Grosset & Dunlap, 1991. (PreK - 2)

Reynolds, Peter H. The Dot. Candlewick Press, 2003. (1 - 5)

Spires, Ashley. The Most Magnificent Thing. Kids Can Press, 2014. (PreK - 2)

WEBSITES

A full list of the Miss Nelson Series

A full list of the George and Martha Series

VIDEOS

Miss Nelson Has a Field Day (12:34) Animated read-along of Miss Nelson Has a Field Day.

Miss Nelson is Back (12:11) Animated read-along of Miss Nelson is Back.

Getting to Know James Marshall (6:46) Excerpt from “James Marshall and His Studio”.

About the CompanyDallas Children’s Theatre was named by Time Magazine as one of the top five children’s theater companies in the US, and the only one of that group to tour nationally. DCT is a critically acclaimed company that travels coast to coast with professional, large-scale productions designed to stir the heart, stretch the mind, and promote education. Each touring production is selected and designed with youth and family audiences in mind from titles and materials that reflect familiar stories, literary works, histories, and biographies. Each season is thoughtfully chosen to produce plays that are engaging, enriching, and educational. These productions promote social values, moral integrity, and reflect the cultural diversity of our community through casting and theme.

Questions to Engage & ConnectHow does it feel to win? Lose?

What would you tell a friend who was about to play an important game on the sports field?

What makes a good team player?

What kind of things can you say to yourself to help you keep going toward a goal?

How does it feel when you face challenges when you’re working toward a goal?

How does it feel to work together with others to achieve something?

How do you feel before a game, performance, or special event? After?

About the Schooltime SeriesThe Popejoy Schooltime Series brings national and international touring companies and performers to Albuquerque. Each company is selected for youth and family audiences from PreK to 12th grade. Our repertoire reflects the cultural diversity of our global community. The Schooltime Series is curated to include new plays, familiar stories, literary works, biographies, mythologies, folktales, science shows, music, dance, and puppetry. These professional performing artists create entertaining educational experiences designed to encourage literacy, creativity, communication, and imagination..

The Dreamcatchers Teaching GuidesBy their nature, the arts engage young minds in learning through observing, listening, creating, and moving, while offering various ways to acquire information and act on it in a dynamic world. They also offer a natural way to differentiate instruction through multiple modes of representation, expression, and engagement. Additionally, the arts are an authentic context in which students identify and solve problems, reflect, and create meaning. The Dreamcatchers help students embody the lessons and take-action on what they have learned. These guides introduce students to what they will see on stage, provide background information, a basic vocabulary associated with the show, fun facts, vetted resources, and activities providing a connection between the arts and classroom curriculum.

Popejoy HallPopejoy Hall is New Mexico’s premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. Our mission is to provide access to the performing arts for all New Mexicans.

House Policies & EtiquetteThe inside of a theatre where the audience sits is called a “house.” To get along, have fun, and enjoy the show, there are rules to follow. Schooltime is a wonderful opportunity to learn how good behavior in a live theater is different from watching television. For guidelines to practice with your class and chaperones, including safety, special needs, food and drink, backpacks, cell phones, photography, recordings, and more, go to schooltimeseries.com/house-policies.

Dreamcatcher CreditsDreamcatchers are Teaching Guides produced by the Education Department of Popejoy Hall. Selected materials provided by Dallas Children’s Theatre, Games excerpted from Teachthought , Merriam Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary, We Are Teachers , Cool Facts for Kids, and other resources noted in this guide.

The Schooltime Series is a proud member of

P O P E J OY H A L L : U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D E D ~ C O M M U N I T Y F U N D E D

The Eugene & Marion Castiglia Popejoy

Children’s Schooltime Endowment

The Popejoy Schooltime Education Endowment

Judith Mersereau

The Popejoy Schooltime Series is supported in part

by awards from: