Friday, May 12, 2006

From Elizabeth Rondello in WI: Did you know this?

Just a note to tell you how much we enjoyed the performances at our school last month. Some of the questions that were asked about Shakespeare were thought provoking including whether or not he wrote his plays or if someone else did. Today I recieved a fun tidbit which I thought you might enjoy. Beth The Word of the Day for May 11 is: Baconian \\bay-KOH-nee-un\\ noun : one who believes that Francis Bacon wrote the works usually attributed to Shakespeare Example sentence: Baconians argue that the wide range of knowledge exhibited in Shakespeare's plays shows a level of learning that only Bacon could have had. Did you know? Sir Francis Bacon was a man of many talents: he was a lawyer, a statesman, a philosopher, and a man of letters. He is remembered for the style and expression of his writing, for his power as a speaker in Parliament, and for his advocacy of what is today known as the "Baconian method" of arriving at scientific conclusions by careful examination of evidence and sorting of facts. Sir Francis Bacon is also considered, by some people, to be the true author of Shakespeare's works. The theory, which was first propounded in the mid-1800s, flourished from about 1880 to 1930 and is still subscribed to in certain circles today.

Thank you, Elizabeth! Did you know this is still a hotly debated topic in the theatre world today?
Try asking any actor...they will probably have an opinion!
KB

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Two new WINNERS in the contest: Nikiya and Stephanie!

Well, Teams 3 and 5 have finished their tours and chosen their winners in the book contest.

Team 5 literally had HUNDREDS of letter written in, and they were all so wonderful! Sarah and Markuz spent a whole day reading them all, and loved every one....but they chose NIKIYA from Clinton Elementary in NE as their winner, and here is her drawing and letter...CONGRATULATIONS Nikiya, and thank you to everyone who wrote to us! (Click on these to see larger version)



Team 3 (Amanda and Cara) chose Stephanie Zeluyandiu from Weemes in CA as their winner, and they said they had such a hard time choosing becuase they got so many wonderful letters and drawings..but they ended up choosing Stephanie's "very well written and detailed letter..and we dug her drawings, too!" Stephanie is in first grade...here's her letter and drawing! CONGRATULATIONS Stephanie!