Friday Afternoons with First Grade

First Grade come to music class on Friday afternoons. Just imagine the energy in the air!!! So much excitement over weekend plans, sleep-overs, grandparent visits, and such. Sometimes it is difficult to contain all our excitement. Luckily, we have an outlet for our energy right now. We are preparing for our hoe-down, and the first graders will do their first "square" dance.



All join hands, circle left.





Bow to your partner.





Girls all curtsy, boys please bow.



Bow to your corner.



Cicrle to the left.



Sometimes we get a little silly. That's ok. It's Friday afternoon.



We always manage to pull it back together before we leave.

Lining up and ready for the hall.



Going Home! The weekend is just beginning!



OOPS!. These last two pictures were not supposed to be last.
I lost them.



For some reason, bowing and curtsying can be SO funny. (giggle, giggle)
The boys and girls got so tickled over this move.

As you can see, the hoe-down is going to be fun for everyone. Keep October 23 reserved for this special PDS event.





Indoor Recess!!!

What do you get when rainy-day-indoor-recess meets giggly, silly (and fashion-concious)fifth graders?

Who says you have to go outside to have fun at recess?

*Those things on their heads are their lunch boxes.

The Scarf Dance

                      This post will focus on the fun "movement and music" activity  that several classes got to do this week. We have great, new, colorful scarves to use in our dances. The students' faces were as bright as the colors of the scarves! These activities encourage listening, following directions, moving to the beat of the music, and moving in musically appropriate ways.

The "dance" was performed to the instrumental piece "The Syncopated Clock" by Leroy Anderson. You'll see in the photos below that the students marched in a circle, and then "waved" the scarves in various ways. The different motions correlated to the different sections of the song. Students had to listen, and change their motions when the music changed.

We had a special guest in the music room. Mrs. Burd listened and followed directions well, too. 

After the scarf dance, we fold the scarves to the music "Forgotten Dream" by Leroy Anderson. (He's becoming one of my favorite composers. I predict you will hear more about him in the future)



The New School Year in Music and Chapel

Welcome back to the PDS Music and Chapel Blog!!! This is where you can stay up-to-date on all things related to music classes and chapel.

During the first two weeks at school, I like to teach the students and teachers a few new songs for our chapel services.  The students usually come back to school sharing songs with me that they learned at vacation bible school and camp. I take those songs and share them with the other kids, and then we ALL get to benefit.

Presbyterian Day School joins with First Presbyterian Church in welcoming Rev. Michael McLaughlin and his family to Cleveland. We have been enjoying his messages in chapel. He brings new life and enthusiasm to the messages. He is very sincere about teaching the students (and adults) how to use God's word as a "lamp unto (our) feet, and a light unto (our) paths." God has blessed our school and church very much with the McLaughlin family.

If you would like to hear a great bible message, sing some fun and worshipful new songs, and hear children recite scripture, please join us on Friday mornings from 8:30-9:ish. You will be blessed---to be a blessing.

Happy to be the  music teacher,

Sandi Jackson

Noah's Ark

On Friday, April 20, the first grade students did a TERRIFIC job of presenting their play, The Flood. Mrs. Jennings and Mrs. Burchfield worked very hard to help them learn their lines. Thanks, teachers. Thanks also to the parents who helped with the set. You are a great help to us.
Hopefully, I will get some photos posted soon.

I am looking forward to 3k, 4k, and 5k end-of-the-year programs. We are having a good time singing and learning poems and finger plays. It is a blessing to be with the kids everyday. I am having way too much fun to call this "work".

More Photos

I am posting a few more photos provided by 3rd grade moms.

Thanks for the Photos

Thank you to Dawn Woo, Karine Paris, and Laurel Waldbieser for sending the photos. Here are some below.

These students sounded GREAT. They look GREAT, too.

Lovely solo.

SO COOL!

AND They can snap on the beat.

Our game show hosts and announcers

                                     

Thank you so much, parents, for helping to provide set, costumes, and props.

The Bible Tells Me So Show

Whew! The 3rd grade students can breathe a sigh of relief and prepare to enjoy their spring break. Today in chapel, they presented "The Bible Tells Me So Show", a musical program by Kathie Hill. It was great fun, and hopefully, I'll get some photos posted (parents, if you have any, please email some to me at sandijackson01@cableone.net . ) . The play, based on the "Family Fued" game show, helps students, (and teachers) learn about God's promises in the Bible.
The students did a great job. Thanks so much, kids. Thanks, also, parents, for help with lines, props, set, and costumes.

Have a HAPPY SPRING BREAK!!!!

With much joy,

Mrs. Sandi Jackson

Moving Forward in 2012

We are in the middle of January. Wow. I feel like we JUST finished the Christmas play. Since this is my first post since the play, I would like to take this time to say "Good Job" to the 6th grade class members. You presented yourselves in a very professional manner at the presentation of "The First Leon". Thank you for giving your very best efforts. I thank God for you.

We are almost ready for our next play at PDS. On next Friday, January 27, our 4th grade class will present "Dr. Newheart's Neck-up Check-up" by Kathie Hill during chapel time. These students can really sing! They have made my job so easy. They learn quickly, and they sound great. You will find below some photos of these students learning their songs. Come to the PDS gym next Friday for real treat, and a few good lessons on how to keep your mind pure and your thoughts turned to the Lord.

Dr. Newheart's Neck-up Check-up  (A spiritual physical for musical kids)