Kean Student Adds Theatre to the Lesson Plan for Union Third Graders

Kean elementary education student Cristiana Rodrigues combined her academic major and her part-time job at Kean Stage to create a theatrical experience for third-grade students at Union Township’s Washington Elementary School.

Working with Washington Elementary teacher Sharon VanDerlyn ’22 M.A., who is also a doctoral student at Kean, Rodrigues organized a group of 19 students to attend a Kean performance of Dot Dot Dot, a children’s musical. The children also created artwork based on a “dot,” which they displayed in the lobby of Wilkins Theatre on Kean’s Union campus, and they had the opportunity to socialize with Kean’s mascot, Keanu the Cougar.

“It’s a very full circle moment,” said Rodrigues, a Kean senior who attended Washington Elementary School as a child, and is now student teaching there.

The idea for the project began at Kean Stage, where Rodrigues works as a front of house coordinator. A co-worker at Kean Stage suggested Rodrigues could use the play and its focus on children’s creativity as part of her studies in elementary education.

Rodrigues reached out to VanDerlyn, her cooperating teacher at the school, and the two teamed up.

The most challenging part of the project was putting it all together and making sure students could attend the play for free.

At Washington Elementary, Rodrigues worked with students to create art inspired by the play, which is based on The New York Times bestseller Creatrilogy by author Peter Reynolds, a children’s book series that explores creativity and includes The Dot, Ish, and Sky Color. 

Rodrigues also incorporated social emotional learning aspects into the project.

Students attended the production on Saturday, September 30. They said they enjoyed the experience – creating the art, attending the play, and working with Rodrigues.

“My favorite part of the play was when they sang,” said Ella, age 8.

Dominic, 8, said he was “excited about the play,” and Rashel, 8, used Kean colors – light and dark blue – to create artwork.

“It was amazing,” Rashel said. “I love Kean.”

VanDerlyn said Rodrigues spent countless hours on the project, and “gave this her all. 

"Cristiana has worked very hard to put this project together,” VanDerlyn said. “She provided the students with a wonderful learning experience and a great memory of Kean University. The students thoroughly enjoyed it, from listening to the book being read and discussed in the classroom, to the final culmination of their artwork being on display. The students are the shining stars of this collaboration."

Another Kean alumnus was also involved in the project, Washington Elementary Principal Tom Matthews ’94, ’04 M.A.

He said the project aligns with his vision of creating a safe and joyful learning environment and emphasizes the social-emotional learning incorporated into the experience. 

Rodrigues, who transferred to Kean from Union College, said she is grateful for the level of support she’s received at the University.

“I didn’t think I was going to be as involved as I would be. I didn’t think I would have as many people in my corner supporting me,” she said. “I didn’t expect any of that, and I also didn’t expect to be coming out of Kean as confident as I am.”