3rd Grade's Got Talent

What happens when you tell 48 third graders that they have a budget of $10 to run a “startup business?”  Well, that’s exactly what we did, and the results are absolute magic… Read on to find out more.

As one of our Project Based Learning Units, students were challenged with the task of starting and running their very own business.

Through much deliberation and teamwork, the Theater on the Bayou was born, and off to work they went. On February 16th, our little theatre would host its first annual Variety Show: “Third Grade’s Got Talent.”  There is so much responsibility, planning and organization that comes with a new business but these youngsters were up to the challenge.  The students discussed their individual strengths and talents and chose the roles which fit them best.  The Production and Design team planned and structured the event. They also created a movie trailer to promote their show. A logo was created and voted on, and marketing materials such as posters and signs were produced and hung around the school.  Our talent acts included magicians, hula hoopers, singers, dancers, musicians, artists and basketball players, just to name a few. The Hosts and Hostesses wrote their own scripts, created their own persona and kept the show moving along with humor and praise. 

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The Producers and Designers were in charge of concessions and selling handmade souvenirs. We were proud to watch these students problem solve when difficulties arose.  Groups learned to collaborate and work together, and Producers learned the challenges of directing and leading their peers. All in all, our students raised $589.25 and had a fabulous time while putting on an extraordinary show! All proceeds were donated to Friends of the Animals, a cause which third graders voted on. 

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Throughout my years as a third grade teacher at Episcopal I have had people say to me, “You really seem to love your job. Tell me about it”. It is hard to put into words what it is like to work with these precious children and my wonderful third grade team, but what I can say is that it is magical watching each one of these students find their strengths and rise to the occasion when we ask them to.  Indeed, Third Grade’s Got Talent, and I am so very proud of all of their hard work! I cannot imagine working at any other school where learning can be so much fun.

Thanks to the following people for making our unit possible.

• Leah Duval of Salsbury Dodge
• Juan Simoneaux - Marketing Consultant
• Mollie Hill and Glynes Hyde - owners of Red Beans and Alex Kathleen
• Kellie Bruce - Episcopal Business Office Manager,
• Melanie Couvillion- Executive Director of Manship Theater,
• Mr. Worrel- BRZoom
• Paige Gagliano - Episcopal Drama Teacher
• Coach Taylor Walker- Basketball advice for one of our acts
• Avery Kyle - Master Chef Junior contestant
• Tricia Deloney and Louis Gagliano- All of their help  with the show​

Photos above taken by Diane Madden and Kendyl Worrell

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Amy Weidig Arceneaux

Amy Weidig Arceneaux has been teaching third grade at Episcopal for 24 years. She is a graduate of Episcopal and loves to read, swim, spend time with her family and sing with the band at Trinity Episcopal  Church. Amy is happily married and is the mother to Ellie Shoemaker, 8th grader at Episcopal.