Puppet show so much more; Temecula teacher uses the arts to inspire, educate students

By: JENNIFER KABBANY - Staff Writer | Wednesday, March 14, 2007 11:13 PM PDT ∞

TEMECULA -- Pam Skumawitz gets a nostalgic gleam in her eye when she talks about her education to become a teacher, how there was so much more of an emphasis on the arts back then.
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"We used to have to take classes on art, music, singing," the 58-year-old teacher at Temecula's Helen Hunt Jackson Elementary said. "We were well-rounded."

Requirements for a teaching degree may have changed over the years, but Skumawitz hasn't.

After 26 years in the profession, 19 in Temecula, she still makes sure her students are immersed in artistic creativity through unique class projects. She still addresses the latest academic standards and strategies for student success, but she does it with a lot of flair.

Puppet plays put on Wednesday by Skumawitz's fifth-graders for their parents and campus peers are a prime example of the longtime educator's passion for creativity. The plays have been an annual event for Skumawitz's students for many years.

"It's an exciting journey," Skumawitz said of the three-week process to produce the play. "It's like climbing a mountain. (Students) get so involved in who their puppet is. They get to use art, music. They get to work together. It's a group effort. When they get to sing, they love it."

This year, the theme for the play was the 40 developmental assets, which studies show help children grow up with confidence and a sense of integrity. Assets include reading for pleasure, school engagement, positive family communication and parental involvement in schooling.

The students found ways to integrate the assets into skits using puppets. For example, for reading for pleasure, one student created a puppet in the image of a typical student who didn't like to read, another created a puppet of Tom Sawyer, and a third made a wizard named Merlin.

With a fog machine and a snappy script, the three students acted out their play Wednesday in which the wizard zaps the boy who doesn't like to read into a book with Tom Sawyer and, after a conversation with him, the boy sees that reading can be fun.

"We thought we could make up an act where a kid goes into a book and he meets Tom Sawyer and Tom Sawyer tells him how much fun reading could be," said Tyler Wickford, 11.

All of the students in Skumawitz's class created similar skits for various assets.

Two of the students created cheerleader puppets who performed a rousing cheer to promote school engagement. Four students created puppets of different races to promote the importance of accepting diversity. They tweaked the words of a popular children's song, "Kids in America," and sang it as they danced their puppets around.

"We just want to make a point that it is not really right to treat people in other cultures differently," said Allie Underwood, 11.

Students create the skits and puppets on their own, although parents help. Skumawitz teaches the students how to move the puppets based on classes she has taken. The students prerecord their songs, poem recitals and skits, and act out the play while a student works sound equipment.

During Wednesday's performances, Skumawitz calmly stood in the back of the multipurpose room. She had the look of a proud mother on her face.

"It amazes me that she just has the kids run the whole show," said parent Tessa Bandfield.

Many parents praise Skumawitz's teaching abilities, but she has a different take.

"This is controversial," Skumawitz said of her teaching methods while motioning to the play.

She said that many teachers just like to do what's expected of them, but she meets goals set before her through unconventional methods.

She said she has been and will continue to push for more use of the arts in Temecula schools, but that she believes there is a change afoot, that her way of doing things is becoming more acceptable in teaching circles again.

The puppet plays are one of many unique artistic and creative efforts Skumawitz uses during the school year to further academics and social activities. She's won teaching awards before, but quickly changes the subject that is brought up.

"This is my passion," she said.

Parents with children in her class say they think she is doing all the right things with their kids.

"When they are all old and gray, they'll still remember fifth grade because of Pam," said parent Julie Underwood, Allie's mom.

Another of Underwood's daughters, high school sophomore Kristi, had also been in Skumawitz's fifth-grade class. Underwood said her daughter has kept her puppet through the years.

"She makes every one of her students feel like they are a star," Underwood said.

-- Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.