Lucy Desi Museum Hosts JPS Students
Ring Lucy Desi Visit: Ring Elementary School students in Jennifer Hill’s class take the opportunity to have their picture taken on the iconic I Love Lucy set at the Lucy Desi Museum. Submitted photos
National Comedy Center volunteer, Nelson Garifi, gives JPS students a tour of the Lucy Desi Museum as part of the culminating event for their year-long Lucy Lessons.
Ring Lucy Desi Visit: Ring Elementary School students in Jennifer Hill’s class take the opportunity to have their picture taken on the iconic I Love Lucy set at the Lucy Desi Museum. Submitted photos
National Comedy Center volunteer, Nelson Garifi, gives JPS students a tour of the Lucy Desi Museum as part of the culminating event for their year-long Lucy Lessons.
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The Lucy Desi Museum hosted over 250 third through sixth grade Jamestown Public School students for tours, photos and fun as a culminating event for their year-long "Lucy Lessons."
Jamestown Public Schools students piloted the Lucy Lessons this year as part of a joint effort with Desilu, too LLC, Howling Hounds Entertainment and ViacomCBS.
Lucy Lessons are derived from the I Love Lucy television series and delivers academic content through a unique design that blends classic comedic scenarios with student-centered, problem-based learning.
"It was a wonderful opportunity to visit the Lucy Desi Museum," said Kelly Cardinale, Persell Middle School teacher. "My students were excited to see all of the memorabilia and be able to take pictures on the set replicas. My students really enjoyed the Lucy Lessons this year and learning more about one of Jamestown's most famous people. The Lucy Lessons meshed two generations and provided a lasting love of her comedy and how enjoyable vintage television shows can be."
Lucy Lessons is not a curriculum, but a supplemental resource and intervention tool that works in the context of the district's and state curriculum. Lucy Lessons uses iconic I Love Lucy episodes such as, "Job Switching" which includes the famous candy factory scene with Lucy and Ethel working with an out-of-control conveyor belt. Lucy Lessons reflects the best practices of teaching and learning, while providing academic support and enrichments in a fun and engaging way. Lucy Lessons addresses the academic core subjects of English language arts, math, science and social studies, and also addresses social emotional learning and learning loss needs.
"It was such a great opportunity for the kids and teachers to come to the Lucy Desi Museum to see, in person, what they have been learning all year - not only more about Lucille Ball's legacy, but also that she is from their hometown," said Bonnie Kole, president of Howling Hounds Entertainment and the creator of Lucy Lessons. "The students have come to embrace the show and its characters. We have had such wonderful feedback about the lessons this year from teachers and students - the reception from the kids has been fantastic. The kids also enjoyed having a chance to meet Lucie Arnaz in real time for the Q & A sessions on Zoom. The I Love Lucy episodes that we use are highly engaging and entertaining for all age groups and can really make a reluctant or struggling learner want to learn the content within the lessons. We are excited to continue the lessons next year with Jamestown students."
Lucy-Desi Museum staff who provided the tours, free of charge, to students.
"We can't thank the Lucy Desi Museum for inviting our students into their museum and giving them a fun and informative day - from getting their photo taken on the iconic I Love Lucy set to trying out the Vitameatavegamin commercial," said JPS Chief of Schools Tina Sandstrom. "Our students had an opportunity to connect what they have been learning in the classroom to real life. They also had the chance to see how someone from their hometown created a lasting legacy in the entertainment world and gave them the opportunity to also dream big about their own futures."