During the month of May 2008, two sixth grade ELA classes explored some of America's classic plays including Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" and Otto Preminger's musical adaptation of Bizet's opera "Carmen". With both works having been revived in the last few years by MTV using pop culture stars such as Beyonce Knowles and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, our sixth graders were familiar with the stories but not the origins of the plays.
Nevertheless, the children enjoyed the unit and were able to connect the past with today's entertainment and media. Here are some of their comments about what they saw and heard:
On "Carmen Jones":
"She (Dorothy Dandridge) looks like Halle Berry. I like the singing but she was a wild woman!"-Najee
"The dancing and the singing were my favorite parts and I liked that the cast was African-American."-Isaiah
"The story was sad because she ("Carmen") died at the end."-Albert
On "A Raisin in the Sun":
"P. Diddy did a good job! Alot of people are just hating; he's a good actor!"- Joseph
"I liked the lady from the 'Cosby Show'. She's good in this play!"- Joshua
"They were a strong family and I'm glad they bought a house at the end. You need a house nowadays."- Mark
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