It’s been a minute (or a year….!) since I’ve last posted, but I’m promoting Education.com’s contest here Limitless Learners Contest Check it out! You won’t win a Shirley item, but the cash prizes are nothing to sneeze at! Good luck!
Lucky
I don’t know when St. Patrick’s Day became a holiday to rival Halloween, but in classrooms around the country, kids are searching for little green men, building leprechaun traps and hoping to find gold. Teachers are trying to rein in the leprechaun fever while still embracing the excitement – not always an easy task. We read a ton of St. Patrick’s Day stories, and I have saucer-eyed students when I tell them of my trip to Ireland in 1992 when I saw a “real” leprechaun cross the road.
I’ve a math game for every conceivable holiday – here, the kids are playing a fast facts dice game, Pot O’Gold edition.
Education.com has a number of St. Patrick’s Day themed skillsheets such as the one pictured below. subtraction_clover
Here’s hoping you get a little luck o’the Irish this month!
Happy Golden Days of Yore
As a kid, I’d listen to Judy Garland sing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and was always left wondering….happy golden days of your what? Homonyms will get you every time. Now I know better, and I can look at reminder after reminder of those days of yore hanging on my Christmas tree. I suppose it’s this way for most, but when I hang an ornament, it’s like touching a bit of the past. Especially this year. I’m not really sure why, but I didn’t hang the usual pink-balls-that-tie-it-all-together, or the ones that fall into the just-because-they’re-in-the-ornament-box category. I didn’t start out that way, but I ended up being more selective this year. That, however, does not mean I have a less-than-full tree. How full? Pretty damn full.
After the lights and Glinda, the first ornament -ALWAYS – is the little pink paper star, a favor from Rebecca’s first birthday celebration. Yep, I leave the years’ worth of Scotch tape on it….part of the charm.
The ruby red of the slippers and of Rutgers, Shirley and Judy….and those photo ornaments, chronicling Christmas through the years. That was back when you had to put your own photo inside – now Shutterfly and a dozen other places will do it for you.
One of a million Oz ornaments. When those go up, I sort them first. Dorothy goes on, followed by Glinda, then the others. Gotta have them disbursed fairly equally among the branches, right? And lest I forget about our trek across the midwest to see the Laura Ingalls Wilder sites, I have this to remind me.
The decorated-within-an-inch-of-their-pink-life photo ornaments go on early in the process. Aunt Mary would always request a recent photo, and have one made each year at Holiday Tree and Trim in Bayonne, NJ. My color scheme may change, but I will never not hang them.
Favorites of the past (Barney for Rebecca) and of the past, present and future (Shirley, in case that wasn’t readily apparent).
The tree used to be full of princesses….this year Ariel represents.
Pa’s fiddle from Jane Levey. So many pioneer holiday parties in first grade. So many bonnets.
Quite a few of my favorite things – Shirley, Oz, Diet Coke and Bec. That lovely handcrafted felt masterpiece was made when she attended a class holiday party when I taught kindergarten. It always hangs on the tree….but always in the back. #sorrynotsorry
Two more faves. Just realized I need a Hamilton ornament. When I go for the third time (yes, I have tickets), I’ll pick one up.
Thank goodness those My _____th Christmas ornaments stopped at 6. Otherwise, I’d have no room for much else.
Mister used to climb the tree as a wee lad, then lap up the needle-filled water in the stand in later years. Gone but not forgotten.
At least 15 years ago, before leg lamps were de rigueur, we spotted one as we were out on our annual see-the-lights sojourn on Christmas eve. Next year, we had our own. And yes, when we put ‘er up we say, “Frag-ilay…must be Italian,” and “It’s a major award.” All part of the process.
When Betsy Fila realized pink was my signature color, she found the pinkest ornaments she could….I love them. And Aunt Mary once again made sure I had plenty o’ pink – this time in the form of the chandelier wreaths.
It wasn’t Christmas without a Lenox Oz figurine under the tree…at least until I collected them all. Thanks, Santa.
I think these dolls could be ordered from the Parade section of the Sunday paper….I got a different one every year from my mother. A few still come out to play in December.
Tell someone you like gingerbread, and this is what happens. Who am I kidding? I love it all. I may or may not have added three gingerbread kids just this morning.
That’s it….Christmas chronicled. A million pictures posted at once – that’s what happens when it’s been so long between posts. Merry, merry everyone!
A Musical in Four Acts: FOR FOREVER
It caught up with me, as it always does. After three days of nonstop (Hamilton reference!), there was nowhere for the emotion to go but out. Sad that it was nearly over, overwhelmed at the huge success of it all, overcome by what it all meant. And once that tap opens, there’s no stemming the flow. As anyone on Monday’s tour can attest to. But you knew what you were getting into with me – for most of you, it wasn’t your first rodeo. And if it was, I did warn you. 
Sony Studios tour, arranged by David. Former home of MGM, where Shirley filmed Kathleen, and Judy Garland made musical history. Right there – that’s a lot to cry about!
Our tour guide was none other than the grandson of Jackie Coogan, the ORIGINAL child movie star. Kevin (Mitchell) Coogan was a former child star himself in the 70s. It was easy to see the pride that he takes in his family’s movie history legacy. He was fast paced, entertaining and humorous. Perfection.
The gates through which so many of my favorite stars passed. Words fail.
A powerful moment – the Army assembled on the steps of the Thalberg Building, where Shirley & Judy, Clark & Mickey once stood.
How I hate goodbyes. I actively avoid them. And this goodbye weighed heavily on my mind throughout the tour. Yes, I know I’ll see these people again. Yes, I’m filled with memories and moments. Yes, I know more Shirley awaits us. But I hated saying goodbye.
What happens when reality exceeds any plan you dreamed of? Palooza III is the answer. David Silverman, you’ll never fully realize what this meant to us.
If you only listen to one of the four songs in this blog series, listen to this one from Dear Evan Hansen. It’s about friends. For Forever
A Musical in Four Acts: HOW CAN I THANK YOU?
Paloozas 1 through 3 wouldn’t have happened without the cornerstone event – the annual April birthday party thrown by the Shirley Temple Collectors by Sea. A REAL club – one that actually meets in person and everything – they spend the better part of a year planning this themed extravaganza. And no detail is overlooked.
This year we celebrated Disney-style, with the theme Lollipops and Mouse Ears. The venue was a sea of black and red, and more than a few guests came dressed in the spirit of Disney.
Dressed as Shirley was when she opened Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle 
Lori and Paul, aka Cinderella and Prince Charming
Tonya as Minnie
Shirley Jean sports her custom made cape/scarf
The Sea members outdid themselves once again – favors, table prizes, sales tables and displays filled the room, almost too much to take in at once. But it wasn’t just STuff….we were entertained as well. The archivist from the Walt Disney Company presented, outlining the ST-WD connections.
The piece de resistance was our own JoAnn Peterson’s living portrayal of Ambassador Shirley Temple Black. With style, grace and knowledge, she held us spellbound for thirty minutes – the spell was finally broken with thunderous applause and a standing ovation. A proud, proud moment.
Another Army score – Wandy walked away with the grand prize – a photo enlarged to poster size from the Black family’s own collection.
Thank you, members of the STCBTS club – your creativity and efforts did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. You put on quite a show, and I’m happy to have been in the audience these past three years.
Another thank you goes to Dave, for the entertainment of a different kind at his LA home-away-from-home, Chateau Marmont. Yeah, my friends are high-class. After the bustle of the day, it was nice to unwind over dinner, drinks and dessert…..and more laughs than should be legal! Like the Sea party, we’d been planning this get-together for the last year….what’s on tap for 2019?
Act Three: How Can I Thank You?
Act Four: For Forever
A Musical in Four Acts: A HEART FULL OF LOVE
When Friday’s Shirley cyclone came to an end, many of us said to one another, “That can’t be topped.” And in terms of pace and pizazz, it likely never will. But for sheer emotional impact, Saturday’s event at the Santa Monica History Museum is one for the books – a fairy tale book.
Before the SMHM party, a few of us embarked on the near-annual pilgrimage to see Shirley’s first homes in Santa Monica. The inhabitants must know how lucky they are, right?
24th Street
19th Street
Early birds that we are, we arrived at the Museum to help with the last minute set up. A proper tea was presented, with favors and lollipops at each place setting. Lucky guests were given crowns and scepters, a hint as to the theme of today’s party.
What’s it like to be greeted by Shirley’s own son and daughter as if you’re a member of the family? You can ask any one of us, but I’m not sure that it can be articulated. The closest I can get is to hum a few bars of Les Mis’ A Heart Full of Love.
The event began with a proclamation that it was Shirley Temple Day, and after the applause died down, it was time to tell THE story. We’ve heard most of it – we LIVED through most of it – but the impact of the one-two-three punch presentation was something you really couldn’t prepare for.
The tale began in 1988, said Tonya, when she read Child Star as a child herself. “I wanted to be like Shirley…I wanted to be that kind of person.” Dream realized, I’d say. With no preparation other than living it, Tonya spoke from the heart, and in the process tweaked quite a few hearts in the room. If you weren’t crying along with her as she told the tale of the lost Princess dress, go see a cardiologist, stat. Everyone else, you know what I’m talking about – a story told as effectively and affectively as ever I’ve heard. Bravo, my dear, bravo.
Act Two was Susan’s to present, and hers was the antithesis of Tonya’s. Clearly and carefully written, she talked of convergence. If Tonya’s speech reflected her personality, so did Susan’s. Steady-voiced and impassioned in her quiet way, she furthered the story. More tears, at least on my part.
And then came Charlie, to wrap it all up and tie it with a bow. This time, I was laughing through the tears, because he has inherited his mother’s story-telling twinkle. He recounted how he swooped into the Joseff’s auction, where the Princess crown and scepter were coming up to bid. He told us his intent was to make certain that the items weren’t lost to history, and so he raised his paddle as bidding began to slow. We laughed as he told us how he bested the other bidder for the crown, and how “revenge bidding” came into play for the scepter. But he – we – prevailed, and the gown, scepter and crown were reunited at last.
Thank you to our pal Woolsey, the man on the scene and the one responsible for the gorgeousness of the one-day exhibit. You never cease to amaze me.
We took our hearts full of love and floated out of the Museum, and on down to the Brentwood Country Mart, where Shirley shopped at Hansel and Gretel for clothes for Susan. It’s still a children’s store, now called Poppy.
One more moment before wrapping up Act Two.
We popped by Shirley’s home on Rockingham Avenue (now three separate properties), just as we did two years ago. I remembered how the owner of one of the homes drove up that time, and asked us why we were taking pictures of her home. When I told her we were Shirley fans, she shrugged and said ok, and drove through the gate. Was it serendipity that the very same woman pulled into her driveway again this year? Was it Shirley magic that this time she motioned us over to her car, and engaged in conversation with us? Were the stars in alignment as she said to me, “Next year, ring my bell!”? Yes, yes, and definitely yes.
Act Three: How Can I Thank You?
A Musical in Four Acts: NO DAY BUT TODAY
News flash: I’m a planner. To borrow a line from another RENT song, “I make lists in my sleep, baby!” Palooza III was in the planning stage almost as soon as I landed back in NJ last April, but it reached a whole ‘nother level about five months ago. I received an email from the curator at the Santa Monica History Museum on December 1st, asking me if I’d reach out to someone who was researching one of Shirley Temple’s homes. First of all, how nuts is it that I’m the one the curator contacted – I’m just a dumb schoolteacher from New Jersey who suddenly, happily, found herself leading a troop of incredible people who have joined forces to continue Shirley’s legacy. But a colonel takes command, and I contacted one David Silverman, recruiting him into our Army. He had no idea what he was in for….and neither did we. A kindred, OCD spirit, I think it’s safe to say he was swept up in the Shirley whirlwind, and once he discovered that some of us made our way to CA each April, he began to plan a long weekend of events for us. I’ve said this a million times, to anyone who will listen, but I will say it again – he did not have to do this. He did not know us, he did not owe us, but he went out of his way…for us, for Shirley. Let that sink in for a moment, please.
Now remember, I’m a planner, so the countless emails, calls and lists, lists, lists were pure joy for me. Kinda going through withdrawals now, if the truth is to be told. But as I was stuffing my purse with paperwork on the way to the airport, I promised myself that now would be the time to enjoy it. Be present. Stay in the moment. No day but today. And as much as is humanly possible, I think I did it. It means I took less photos, posted less social media updates, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. So, here are a few highlights of the whirlwind that was Friday, April 20th.
Nobody gets in to see the Wizard….not nobody, not no how. That’s the way it was with the campus of Harvard-Westlake, formerly Westlake School for Girls. Not generally open for tours, David, aka King Midas, connected with Eric the archivist, and managed to get a small group of us in. While the original buildings are no longer there, it wasn’t hard to imagine Shirley on these grounds. What was initially supposed to be a 45 minute tour lasted nearly 90 minutes….guess Eric was caught up in the magic of Shirley too.
There wasn’t one part of Palooza that I wasn’t excited for, but visiting the Fox lot….high on my list, to be sure. Eating in the commissary, where Shirley’s enormous birthday parties were held? Check. Visiting the Shirley Temple Dining Room, known in Shirley’s day as the East Dining room, where she held private luncheons? Check. Matching photos of Shirley in these locations? Crying copious amount of tears? Touching the walls of the stages where she filmed those movies I know by heart? Check, check and check.
But if anticipation could be measured, what I felt about returning to the Fox archives would have broken the thermometer. No photography was allowed, so I summoned all of my mental power (such as it is) and tried to capture the hundreds of photos displayed in binders, many never before seen, and commit them to memory. Wish I could stick a flash drive into my brain and download them all. A tremendous thank you to Heather, who was patient and gracious, and who didn’t warn me not to get tear stains on the photos. I appreciated the hug too.
Shirley’s bungalow – may not look the same, but it’s still hallowed ground to me.
The Fox Commissary
“Oh….can I show you what I’m proudest of?” This Hamilton lyric should be David’s, because Friday’s gala was unparalleled. The venue – a gorgeous home, opened to us for this event. The guest list – the family of the famed Nicholas Brothers, child actresses Cora Sue Collins and Marilyn Knowlden, Shirley’s original stand in, Marilyn Granas, Danny Selznick, son of producer David O. Selznick. Plus entertainment, presentations, and impromptu singalongs. A breathless, beautiful evening.
Unimaginable. Unbelievable. Unforgettable. I took a total of one photo (and borrowed these), because I could not absorb it all otherwise. I will return to this evening in my memory many, many times.
Marilyn Granas and Mary
As the evening wound down, I found myself in a conversation with the hostess. There was no way to adequately express my thanks to her, but I certainly tried. And although she didn’t really know me, she said words to me that I’ll treasure forever. I write them here so that I can remember and revisit them. “Melissa, I can tell you’re a great teacher. If I had to do it all over again, I’d move East and have you teach my children.” Or maybe I dreamed that….it was late, after all. But if it all turns out to be only a beautiful dream, let’s keep on dreaming.
Act One: No Day But Today
Act Two: A Musical in Four Acts: A HEART FULL OF LOVE
“I’m Happy, Too!”
Some things are just worth it. Dealing with scheduling, battling the noise of the lunchroom, corralling kids who may or may not be interested in what you’re saying…..all in a day, right?
For the past seven years, our second graders have taken part in an international dance residency. Joanna Pang Atkins brings grace, style, knowledge and talent to our school, and at the end of the two weeks, those qualities have rubbed off on us too. At the first lesson, some kids are eager, some nervous, some reluctant, some frustrated. But you’d never know it when they are dancing their hearts out on that stage at the final performance.
This year one student struggled through the first two practices. “My body’s just not made for dancing!” Yes, that’s a direct quote. By lesson three, it was coming more easily. “You’re king of the box step!” I told him. At the dress rehearsal, he had the highest kicks this side of the Rockettes.
After today’s performance for the families, several people were lavishing well-deserved praise upon our dance teacher. When the applause died down, this child turned to me and said, “Everything they said is true. I would not be a dancer without Mrs. Atkins.” Yes, that’s a direct quote too. And finally, when I pointed out how happy the dance teacher and her assistant were with the flowers and gifts the students made, he smiled and said, “I’m happy, too.”
I think he spoke for us all.
What a Winter!
Yes, we’ve had A LOT of winter ’round here….with more on the way. But what do they say? If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Scroll for a fun winter activity!
Stay inside with the snowman that won’t melt and have fun with this Snowman word scramble worksheet. For more engaging spelling activities, go to Education.com!
Click on the links for a Snowman wordscramble and answer key!
spelling_wordscramble_snowman_answers
I Don’t Know
I don’t know a lot about a lot. I don’t have many answers, never mind all of them. But I do know most answers are complicated, because the issues are complicated. That results in tons of talk that goes round and round and ends up nowhere. It’s happening right now in the wake of the most recent school shooting. “Most recent.” What a phrase to have to apply to “school shooting.” In fact, when I reread this in a few months’ or a year’s time, I may not recall precisely which shooting prompted me to write this. Unfathomable. I am sick to my very soul.
Here’s one thing I do know. When I am huddled in a corner of the classroom during our next lockdown drill, I will reassure the child that asks, “This is fake, right?” just as I did during the last drill. Because someone always asks. What I hope they don’t ask is, “Could this really happen?” But I know what I’d do in that case – I’d say, “No, honey, you’re safe here.” That response would fly out of my mouth as fast as the opposite thoughts swirled in my head. Training. Instinct. Love. It trumps reality in the classroom.
I don’t know much, but I know what I believe. We are a country desperate for answers. There are many and varied ones, I know. But gun control has to be one of them. You can’t have a school shooting – or many, many, many school shootings – without guns. You can’t. So pray, yes. Act too.
Snapshots of Second Grade...and Shirley 