Aliante school kids put skills into play

It was an ingenious twist on a medieval story: Change it so the hero defeats the dragon with brains rather than brawn, make the theme one that emphasizes problem-solving and the moral that education empowers everyone.

The clever young playwrights and performers were the pupils of Klaus Friedrich's third-grade class at Theron H. and Naomi D. Goynes Elementary School in the Aliante master-planned community. Presented on June 27, their play, "Dragon's Peak," was the culmination of a yearlong campaign that exposed them to history, public performance, storytelling and reading.

"It is a great vehicle for education. It really gets the kids to read with enthusiasm," Friedrich said. "It also gives them an opportunity to get over their shyness."

While Friedrich offers guidance and helps with the more complex tasks, such as finding props and sets, the rest is up the class. Kids write the story, audition for the roles, and promote the play throughout the school through a series of "green shows."

"Every year I have surprises where a kid or kids really apply themselves," he said. "Sometimes a student who is struggling will rise to the challenge. I saw that in this class. I did not just assign roles. The kids had to try out and work for them and they did. I set high expectations for them and they exceeded them."

Looking at available costumes, Friedrich steered his class toward the Middle Ages. Kids learned the era's history, sampled its food, built model castles and used concepts for everything from reading to math.

The story started with a basic medieval plot: A king reports that his son has been abducted by a dragon and dispatches his knights to rescue him. From there, the story takes a decidedly modern direction.

A series of crucial clues to defeating the dragon are discovered. Unfortunately, none of the knights can read. Only one person in the land, a peasant girl, knows how to read. By reading the clues and solving their riddles, she succeeds where the knights failed. The king rewards her by making her his heir. When she becomes queen, her first command is that literacy be made available to all.

Developed by North Valley Enterprises, an affiliate of American Nevada Co. and Del Webb, Aliante encompasses more than 1,900 acres. Homes are priced from the high $100,000s to the low $600,000s.

To visit, take U.S. Highway 95 to Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, and exit east. Make a right on Sky Pointe Drive, a right onto Frontage Road, and then a left onto the Beltway. Head east to the Aliante Parkway exit, then go south.

The sales office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Call 866-787-2951 or visit aliantehomes.com.