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All the world's a stage
 The
fifth-grade students in Janine Massaro's class are not only
communicating with their pen pals at Scotia-Glenville High
School, they are learning a Shakespeare play that they will
perform together.
The connection between the Abram Lansing
Elementary School students and their pen pals is also unique:
the two classes' teachers are sisters. Janine Massaro's sister
Jaime Massaro teaches at Scotia-Glenville High School.
The two sisters, who have had their respective
classes working as pen pals for the past three years, have had
their students read similar books to give them a common ground
to foster discussion and the high school students are given the
opportunity to act as role models for the younger students. This
year, both classes are reading William Shakespeare's "A
Midsummer Night's Dream," and preparing to put on the play
together.
"We are very excited," said Janine Massaro. "We
thought this would be a good project and a fun way for students
to learn about William Shakespeare and his works."
So
far, the classes have had one rehearsal together at
Scotia-Glenville, to get ready for the April 25 performance.
In addition, the Abram Lansing students had the
opportunity last week to work with the Massachusetts-based
Shakespeare & Co.
The Shakespeare group performed in the morning
for the entire school, and in the afternoon students in grades
four and five had the chance to participate in workshops with
the theater group.
Janine Massaro's class got to be in their own
workshop that focused on being on stage and working on their
parts in the play.
"It was really great because they picked a group
and focused on how that group could be more theatrical in their
scenes," Janine Massaro said.
In addition, all of the students traveled to see
Shakespeare & Co. perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at The Egg
in Albany.
"This is a very meaningful project for all
students and many form a lasting bond with their pen pal," said
Mollie Kohout, the Scotia-Glenville GIVE coordinator. "The
students from both schools look forward to receiving their
letters and sharing their news."
The performance will take place on Friday, April
25 at 11:30 a.m. at Abram Lansing's gym.
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