09/11/2026
Third graders in Ariana Anderson’s class acted out scenes with silent, frozen tableaus to bring Patricia Polacco’s book “Thank You, Mr. Falker” to life. Working in groups, the Pequenakonck Elementary students chose a moment from the story and struck a pose, while classmates guessed which scene they were recreating.
Some scenes were hard for the class to figure out, like when Trisha, the main character, hid under the stairs. Others were easier, such as the wedding scene where Trisha reconnects with Mr. Falker, with students in the background frozen in the middle of a dance move.
“What I liked most was that you weren’t just watching their body language, but also their emotions and faces,” Anderson told her students. “Looking at facial expressions helps you figure out how they feel in that scene. It made it easier to guess, because you could tell if she was happy or sad.”
This activity encouraged students to think critically and collaborate, while also letting them understand the book in their own way. The class will continue using tableaus and other hands-on activities throughout the year as they explore more books.
