5/8/08
Manning Primary School celebrates S.C. Night
By Jerriod Grizzle

JERRIOD GRIZZLE/Manning Times

Third-grade girls dressed as “Clappers” from the 1920s teach the audience “The Charleston” at Manning Primary School’s South Carolina Night, May 1.

“Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the Morning,” or at least that’s how the song goes.

That song and others such as “Carolina On My Mind,” and “Carolina Girls,” were just some of the many beautiful things sung about the Palmetto State at Manning Primary School’s South Carolina Night, May 1.

“This is the big show right before their PACT tests. All these things that they have been doing such as dancing and singing, are about subjects they are learning and they will see this information again,” said Judy Holmes, principal at MPS. “This show is a combination of a lot of different things and lets the third grade show off just how much they know about the state.”

Throughout the year, the children live and learn everything Carolina as part of their social studies curriculum.

From dancing the Charleston to reminding the older audience members how to Shag for old times’ sake, the stage show that could have been a scene out of American Idol captivated audience members.

The night also featured booths with all kinds of projects relating to their social studies lessons.

Eli Whitney’s cotton gin was one of the inventions on display as well as an in-depth study of barbecue sauces. Down the hall stood a young-looking Union Soldier still protecting Fort Sumter. A little farther back was a table spread showing the inside, the voyage and the wreck of the submarine, the H.L Hunley.

“It was a great turn out and a huge success. The students did an outstanding job showcasing their musical and academic talents with their songs and projects,” said Holmes.