“Forces of Change”, fifth grade play

Iris Kuo
December 5, 2009
Filed under Lower School, Top Stories

Traditionally, the fifth grade play exhibits the journey of Lewis and Clark with a transition between the past and present and a folk story with a lesson. This year’s play, “Forces of Change”, was much the same. Secret agent guinea pigs assisted the students in a mission, taking them through the Lewis and Clark exploration, a Native American legend, and a part on Teddy Roosevelt, the 26th president. Throughout these three parts, the themes of the play, being grateful for blessings and to conserving natural resources, were upheld. Lewis and Clark showed this by collecting samples and treating the land they explored and its inhabitants with respect. The legend told the story of a community which was punished for taking advantage of their blessings from the Corn Maidens by having a food fight. The moral of the story, don’t take advantage of your blessings, also supported the play’s themes. Lastly, the play showed that President Roosevelt was responsible for beginning the National Park system by signing a legislation establishing five national parks, thus conserving nature and wildlife. The students learned to respect the planet and to believe that they can become “agents of change”. Through their acting, singing, musical instrument playing, and dancing, the fifth graders were able to convey the message: be thankful for your blessings.