A Salute To America - Murrieta Valley Unified School District



A Salute to America

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Dear Parents, October, 2009

It’s time to begin work on our performance, “Salute to America – Third Grade Style!” presented on October 29th, at 6:00 p.m. here in our new MPR room. We are looking forward to an evening of entertainment, learning, and fun.

We have envisioned a night full of history, patriotism, recognition, and fun but we need your help. In the light of current political and economic conditions in our country, we feel it’s especially important this year to teach, and express the values, and historical foundations of our country. We are sharing this vision for the evening, in the hopes that you can be a supportive and informed audience member. (

Three different types of costumes are needed. Most students will need a red, white, or blue patriotic shirt and jeans. The jeans can be shorts, pants, or a skirt. A few students need a costume portraying a “historical figure”. If you cannot provide this costume, please let me know immediately. We will need to give your child a different part. Many historical costumes can be purchased on line at a reasonable price or a homemade costume would be terrific! Finally, if your child IS NOT a historical person (Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Uncle Sam…), he or she may choose to dress in a uniform (instead of the patriotic shirt/jeans) that represents a branch of the armed forces. These are the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or the Coast Guard. Our goal is to have every branch represented on stage this year. If this interests your child, please let us know what military uniform he/she will be wearing. We will highlight these students as we sing the various service songs and ask audience members to stand and be recognized for their service as well.

Next, we are learning about heroes, the character qualities they posses, and the great choices they make. By definition, a HERO is a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for brave deeds and noble qualities that performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal. We intend to parlay this discussion into a discussion about Everyday Heroes and celebrate parents, grandparents, teachers, caregivers, librarians, coaches, and community workers who manage to make great choices every moment of everyday. These are people who make a difference in your child’s life! This will be our primary theme during Red Ribbon Week, as well, so the timing is perfect. What do we need from you? Please discuss this idea with your child and then allow your child to e-mail Mrs. Norris 1, 2, or 3 photos of his/her Everyday Heroes. My e-mail address is jnorris@murrieta.k12.ca.us Be sure to note in the e-mail your child’s name, teacher’s name, and the names of the “Everyday Heroes” represented in each photograph. We will make a video presentation and play it during the performance. Remember, the idea is to highlight people who make a difference, each and everyday, in the life of your child. If you can’t manage to send the photo(s) by e-mail, you may send in the actual photographs but clearly mark teacher, student, and hero so Mrs. Norris can return the photos to you. (It really is much easier if you can send an electronic image.) (

Finally, we would like to ask you to donate refreshments for the evening. Mrs. Fay’s class is responsible for cookies, Mrs. Drouillard class has been assigned drinks, and Mrs. Norris class will bring in cookies, drinks, and paper goods. Mrs. Norris’ students with numbers 1 – 7 can bring in cookies, 9 – 16 drinks, and 17 – 21 small paper plates and napkins. (The drinks must not need to be poured into glasses. Juice boxes, juice bags, or soda cans are perfect.) We will also need a few volunteers to pass out programs and serve the refreshments. Can you help? Do you have a high school student who needs community service hours? Please let us know. We want be able to take a moment to enjoy one another after the play, take pictures, and make some lasting memories for these students. Remember, you are not only their Every Day Heroes but you are ours as well.

In addition, we want you to be aware that we are counting on your audience participation in two ways. First, there are several opportunities for you to sing along. Bring those patriotic voices! Be certain to grab a program on the way in because we have planned to ask the men and women in the audience to stand and sing some obscure verses of a familiar tune. You can do this! The words will be provided to you. Just bring your courage and willingness to participate. Also, we are going to play a Jeopardy Game and the category is Famous American Quotes. These are very famous quotes and you will probably recognize them easily. So be prepared to stand up, be called upon, and show your historical knowledge! You may win yourself a little goodie bag as well.

Here is a summary of ways you are needed: 1. Please print and help your child memorize his/her play lines before October 5th. 2. E-mail or send in labeled Everyday Hero photos by October 16th. 3. Understand your child’s costume requirements and provide the costume by curtain call. 4. Donate appropriate refreshments. 5. Volunteer to distribute programs. 6. Volunteer to serve refreshments. 7. Invite family members and neighbors who have served in the armed forces. 8. Come prepared to participate! (

Your child will need to be dressed, ready to perform, and in class by 5:45 p.m. Don’t be late. The show will start promptly. We are so excited and we can’t wait to see you there!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Norris, Mrs. Fay, and Mrs. Drouillard

Play lines are posted below. Please highlight your child’s line(s), click file, print, selection, print to print jus the lines you need. Please help your child memorize the line(s) by October 5th.

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Master Script – Mrs. Norris

A Salute to America

Norris – Statue of Liberty - Jenna – I have a costume she can borrow .

Hello everyone. My name is Liberty as in Statute of Liberty! In 1607, 100 colonists founded Jamestown, the first permanent British settlement in North America. The Pilgrims founded the second British settlement in New England several years later. Between 1607 and 1733, thirteen colonies were eventually established in what we now call the United States of America!!!!!

Norris - Thomas Jefferson – Chase – I only have a hat and wig he may borrow. You will need to provide the rest of a Thomas Jefferson costume.

Good Evening Liberty and Good Citizens! My name is Thomas Jefferson. I’d like to continue the story if that’s all right with you? (Liberty nods her assent, curtseys, and returns to her place.) Conflict between the American colonies and their mother country, Great Britain, grew over many years.

Fay - Statue of Liberty – Needs Costume

(Liberty 2 interrupts Jefferson holding up a few tea bags) Tea? Oh, Thomas! Can you stay for tea????

Norris - Thomas Jefferson Continues - Chase

America fought Great Britain in the Revolutionary War and the American colonists gained their independence from Britain! I’m proud to mention that I helped write our Declaration of Independence, and publically signed it on July 4th, 1776. (Mutters loudly into the mike) “I wish my old English teacher could have read it!” (

Norris - (Uncle Sam 1 – Ethan – I have a costume he can borrow. )

*Welcome to the Alta Murrieta Third Grade presentation of “A Salute to America!” I want YOU to enjoy the show!

Norris - (Betsy Ross 1 – Sarah E. – I have a dress and apron costume you can borrow. You will need a hair bonnet, glasses and perhaps needlepoint prop)

*Good Day, My name is Betsy Ross! I came from a family of sixteen brothers and sisters! There were many jobs to be done with such a large family and I became very skilled at sewing fine needlework. I once had a job sewing fabric parts for chairs and sofas and I even sewed flags for the Pennsylvania Navy!*

Norris - (George Washington 1 Bodhi - Needs Costume)

*Hello ladies and gentlemen, boys, and girls. My name is George Washington. I was born on February 22, 1732. I lived on a plantation and enjoyed exploring the nearby woods and helping out with the chores. Over the years, many stories have been told about me. One story that was un-true was about a time that I was accused of chopping down my father’s favorite cherry tree. In the story, I confessed, “Father, I cannot tell lie.” Nonsense!

Norris - (Uncle Sam 1- Ethan )

Well, you can’t just toss such a meaningful symbol onto a pole. There are standards and procedures to be followed when raising a flag as well. Does anyone know how it should be done? (Look around, point in Uncle Sam fashion and say) “I want you!” to tell us all about it.

Sarah A.

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

I love our country’s Motto which is “In God We Trust.”

Heather

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

The National Anthem of our country is “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Angel

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

It was written by Francis Scott Key, in the year 1814, while he watched a very famous and critical battle in Baltimore.

Marlena

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

He was very moved by the spectacular sight and inspired to use his creative talents to pen such a passionate piece of music.

Mason

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

Please stand, all hats off, place your right hand over your heart, and sing our national anthem with us.

Robert

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

We’d like to discuss just a few more historical points about our great nation. For example, did you know our National Bird is the Bald Eagle?

Ana

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

And the National Flower is the Rose.

Frida

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

Or that the highest mountain is Mt. McKinley in Alaska. It stretches upward to 20,320 feet above sea level. Wow!

Peyton

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

And the lowest place in our country is Death Valley located right here in California. It is 282 feet below sea level.

Fernando

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

Finally, the longest river in our country is the Mississippi River, which is 2,348 miles long. Our nation certainly has some very interesting topographic features and is very beautiful!

Bianca

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

Let’s celebrate our nations beauty by sharing in the singing of America the Beautiful.

Caitlin

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

We young patriots will sing the first verse for you. Then we’d like all the men in the room to stand and belt out the second verse. The women will stand and sing the third verse while we all stand and sing the final verse. Look at your program for guidance.

Marlena

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

Have you ever really listened to the incredible imagery and sentiment of the words to this song? Try it tonight. Let’s begin.

Damian

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

Next, we would like to play a game of Jeopardy. Jeopardy is a famous trivia quiz show and it’s practically an American tradition itself. In this game show, contestants answer questions, in various categories, for money.

Ana

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

In lieu of money, we have small gift bags for each correct answer.

Sofiane

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

Each classroom will recite two famous American Quotes. If you think you know who or from where the quote came, please stand, raise your hand, and perhaps you will be called on to answer the question.

Angel

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

If you are called to answer, please state you answer in the form of a question. For example, if the famous quote is, “Give me liberty or give me death!” You would stand, wait to be called on to answer, and then say Who is Patrick Henry in a speech given to the House of Burgesses in 1775?

Frida

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

Don’t worry! We will accept as little or as much information as you can supply. So here is your first quote:

Fernando

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

Men who defend our freedom certainly are heroic. The dictionary defines the word “hero” as one having distinguished courage. A person who is brave, fearless, and admired for his/her achievements and noble qualities.

Bianca

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

This week is Red Ribbon Week, a designated time for us to study heroic character traits and those who make Great Choices. We would like to honor and say, “thank you” to each of you for making our world a better place to live.

Caitlin

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

Our next song is a military medley. We’d like to honor each audience member who has served in our military, by asking you to stand as we sing the anthem of your military branch of service.

Peyton

(Costume Needed: Red, White, or Blue patriotic top and jean bottom or an American Military Service Uniform.)

The anthems are sung in the following order: Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines!

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