Published: May 09, 2008 11:38 pm         

Magnificent Maryland

Fourth-grade classes depict history of the Free State

From transportation to prehistoric creatures to the War of 1812, Mount Savage fourth-graders are using puppets to present lessons on Maryland history.

“We could cover it with a textbook, but this makes it so much more meaningful, and drama is part of the fourth-grade curriculum,” said teacher Samantha Mongrain.

For the past several weeks, local puppeteer Wilma Ford has been helping the three fourth-grade classes prepare for the grand unveiling of the Magnificent Maryland puppet show.

Mongrain’s students use shadow puppets for their history of transportation segment.

“We want to show people what kinds of transportation we have had here,” said fourth-grader Malynn O’Baker, who handles the person and stagecoach puppets.

The show features 16 modes of transportation that have been used in Allegany County, such as canal boats, trains, unicycles and automobiles.

Fourth-grader Dylan Will-iams is responsible for making sure his fellow students have the correct puppets in their hands to move across the shadow box at the appropriate times.

Tracy Eberly’s students use giant puppets for their show, Prehistoric Astrondon and Amazing Creatures.

“I am the voice of Astrondon Johnstoni, Maryland’s official dinosaur,” said Robin Godfrey.

“I am a dragonfly, and I tell information about other creatures that have been here in Maryland since prehistoric times,” said Cheyenne Whetsone.

The prehistoric show also features sturgeon, horseshoe crab and cockroach puppets.

Carolyn Crump’s class is performing scenes from the War of 1812 with stick puppets.

Crump’s students hope their audience will gain a greater appreciation of the nation’s history by viewing the show.

“We want them to know how lucky we were that we had people nice enough to fight for our freedom,” said Zachary Brady, who handles an American solider puppet and a lady from Baltimore puppet.

“We want them to remember the war,” added Brenna Bohn, who handles a British solider puppet and a Mary Pickersgill puppet. Pickersgill sewed the original star-spangled banner.

Ford assisted the students with writing the scripts and putting the finishing touches on the puppets.

The show will be held in the school auditorium Monday at 6:30 p.m. In lieu of paying admission, attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Mount Savage Food Bank.

Contact Jennifer Raley at jraley@times-news.com.