Summer Potato Harvest!!

First Summer Market in Hamilton

At the beginning of the farmers market we had to set up our stand and display the products that we were selling. That day we sold pesto, secret salad dressing (it's a secret, so don't ask), dill PICKLES, tea (peach lavender rosemary honey tea), herbs, greens (kale and rainbow chard), and beets. We forgot the tent so we had to go back to get it. By the time we came back we had sold a bunch of beets. By the end of the market, we had sold out of beets completely. At the market I met the vice president of Living Classrooms. I didn't know who he was and he tested me to see what I knew about BUGS. It's ok, I passed the test. The other stands had some beautiful products. One man sold stained glass that he made himself. Around 6:30 we ate some chicken and ribs that someone was selling at the market. People really like the iced tea, maybe because it was over 100 degrees out. Many customers said they were coming back the next week. (Written by Aijha Pack.)

Sauerkraut!

In order for us to make our sauerkraut we had to pick cabbagesssszzzz. THEN we washed them off, sliced them and shredded them, added salt to bring the water out, grabbed the cabbage and rung it out, and kept on squeezing and squeezing until the water came above the cabbage in the bowl. THEEEEN we put it all in one pot, pushed the cabbage down as far as it would go, put a weight on top of it and covered it to let it ferment and become SAUERKRAUT! (Written by Taleyah Little and Angel Burton.)

EDIE, THE DANCING CRAB - The Premiere Event of the Season

After many weather delays, the day finally arrived for the BUGS After-School Program's Annual Expo at Johnston Square. The students were excited. Parents and family members were anxious. Friends were wondering what all of the talk was about. It was the first presentation of a children's play by the BUGS Students. The play was written by Mr. Algernon. The students put a great deal of hard work and time into memorizing the lines, knowing their blocking and learning about the elements of theatre. Ms. Rachel, the Art Teacher, was able to guide the students in making props, costumes, the set and set pieces. It was a real collaborative effort between Ms. Rachel and Mr. Algernon.

Ms. Rachel was able to have a photographer friend, also named Rachel, to come in and take photographs before, during and after the show. The actors were elated. They posed, smiled and surround one another with such pride and confidence.

After the show was complete, all of the actors received a standing ovation from the audience. They were filled with such confidence and self-esteem.

I wonder what the next play will be about. HMMMMM!!

Enjoy the video!!!

TAP, TAP, TAPPING AT THE BUGS FARMER'S MARKET

For our annual farmer's market, the BUGS Students presented tap dance for the performance. They learned about Gregory Hines, the Nicholas Brothers and Gene Kelly. They were great pioneers in the field of tap. Watching videos of all of these performers got all of the students excited about tapping. They were taught the basics... toe, heel and dig. Then slowly creating a choreographic work around the steps and phrases that were taught - The Shirley Temple, Cramp Rolls and the like. With all of that, they were ready to perform for an audience.

First Spring Salad

Well the radishes have long since quadrupled in size, but here are some students enjoying their first spring salad of 2010 from the BUGS garden. Fresh spinach, kale, chard, beet greens, baby carrots, radishes greens and radishes. Mmm.

BUGS Farmers Market Saturday May 1st

The annual BUGS Farmers Market is THIS coming Saturday, May 1st. The gardener in you cannot resist these luscious kales and chards, seductive eggplants, hot and sweet peppers, tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes, energetic summer squashes, prolific cucumbers, and flowers and herbs of all kinds, all ready to be transplanted into your garden.  In addition to plants, there will prepared foods (like granola and salad dressing, complete with BUGS lettuce from the greenhouse), irresistible journals and hair clips, self-watering containers and a photo booth with pictures printed on the spot.

EVERYTHING MADE BY BUGS STUDENTS!

And do not miss the tap dancing performance at 11:30.

Don't deny yourself, c'mon out to Living Classrooms Foundation (802 S. Caroline Street, 21211). 10:00 a.m. - 1 p.m.

It's Farmers Market Time!!!

Hello all, it's that time of year again. Put it on your calenders and come hang out with BUGS May 1st. We'll have dancing, flowers, homemade food, and crafts, all at our student run market. All ways a good time, hope you can make it!

Pics from the best play ever! Edie the Dancing Crab

My wonderful friend Rachel Smith came and took some beautiful pictures of the play. Enjoy!

CRABS CAN DANCE, TOO!! WHO KNEW!!!

On Thursday, March 4th, the BUGS After-School Program was finally able to premiere Edie, the Dancing Crab for the annual Winter Expo at Johnston Square Elementary. We had one snow storm, a conference and the threat of another snow storm that kept pushing the performance date back week after week. But we prevailed!!!
During the weeks preparing for this performance, the students learned about the theatre. They were introduced to Sidney Poitier and Dorothy Dandridge both of whom got there start in the theatre, went on to get nominated for Academy Awards and while Sidney Poitier also won, Dorothy Dandridge was the first African-American woman to be nominated for the award. We played theatre games like Grocery Store where students had to yell out items that could be purchased at a grocery store while running to the wall and touching the imaginary item. There was a game that I created called a Day at the Theatre. Students answered a set of 10 questions that pertained to the previous days' lesson about the theatre. For each one of the questions answered correctly, they were able to obtain that number of tosses. The bean bag had to land in the circle of a particular part of the stage that had a point equivalent. Center Stage had 20 pts while Stage Right would have 10 pts and so on. Once the points were accumulated, the top three scorers would get a prize.
At the start of the Theatre Cycle, I went around to each one of the groups to inform them of the production and that auditions will be held. Students interested in auditioning took a small monologue, had to memorize it and then audition a few days later for a role in the play. Once the actors were chosen, we had a read-thru of the final version of the play with the cast members. Then we went into rehearsals. I rehearsed with the kids on Fridays and non-after-school days to let them know the magnitude of what they were doing and the responsibility that it entailed. They all handled the responsibility with grace. They had to memorize their lines, learn their blocking, learn how to better articulate, pronounce and enunciate their words and project their voices.
Ms. Rachel, the Art Teacher, was able to get all of the students in our program involved with the set pieces, the costumes and props. Our students had to learn and be made aware that there are so many aspects to the theatre. Everyone isn't an actor, actress or director but from the costume designer, makeup artist, set makers, painters and musicians all play a role in making the show successful. The Younger Boys played the introduction and ending show music. They came up with the music and its rhythms on their own. They were great!
It's the day of the show. We had a full house of parents, siblings, relatives and friends. They were all there to be supportive, encouraging and see what the kids had done. Ms. Heather, our director, made a few announcements. I followed with a few words then introduced the play. The Younger Boys began and the audience was silent. Once the music ended, Edie's mother spoke and the play was off and running. The audience smiled, laughed, listened and then loudly and thunderously applauded as each child took their bows. I gave each one of the actors a flower which they were very proud to get. Parents were pleased and grateful. Ms. Rachel's friend, Rachel, who is a photographer took some great photos of our students in their full costumes before and after the show.
Edie, the Dancing Crab is a play that was originally a puppet show, expanded into a children's play, performed this past summer at the Enoch Pratt Orleans Branch Library. Edie, the Dancing Crab is a play about how each person has their own way to dance regardless of who they are. They must simply find their own way to dance and embrace it!

EDIE, THE DANCING CRAB

Written and Directed by Algernon Campbell

Edie, the Dancing Crab Kayle Manning

Edie's Mother Taylor Bennett

Edie's Father Anthony Mobley

Johnny, the Jellyfish Jerwon Mack

Edgar, the Electric Eel Tyrek Scott, Jr.

Sissy, the Seahorse Kerron Webb

Freda, the Fish Monaye Moore

Sandy, the Sea Urchin Breonna Vincent

The Guppy Triplets

Bammi Harry Santos, III

Cammi Ronoah Johnson

Tammi Aijha Pack

* A special thanks goes out to Rachel Smith for the pre-show and after-show photos. We can't wait to see them! Also to Jenna Reynolds, whose little doodle help to inspire a puppet show and its expansion to a children's play!

The entire cast along with BUGS teachers!

Look out for the video!!!