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)

Fifth Grade Play, Veterans' Day, and Looking Forward

Here at Presbyterian Day School, we try to encourage love and loyalty to our country, as well as to our God. If you have been to chapel in the past few weeks, you have experienced some of that patriotism.
In early October, the fifth grade students presented "Singing the Red, White, and Blue", a musical drama by Amalgamated Talents. In the musical, Uncle Sam, and Miss Liberty (the Statue, that is) helped remind us of the history of our great nation.

On November 4, New Song, our fifth and sixth grade choir, presented a service of songs and poems honoring our nation's veterans. Our guest speaker for the service was Brad Keeton, a former marine, and long-time PDS parent and supporter. Area veterans were invited to come and enjoy the service, and the reception that was given in their honor by the PTF association. Many thanks for all students and parents who participated in the events of the day.

On Nvember 11, at 6:00 in the evening, New Song participated in the annual Boy Scouts  Flag Retirement ceremony at the downtown walking trail. The local Boy Scout troops do an excellent job of modeling respect for our nation's flag by teaching these boys the proper way to "retire" a flag.
I was very proud to have several of our New Song members doing double duty by wearing their scout uniforms, singing in the choir, and participating in the ceremony.


Looking Forward

On Thursday, November 17, New Song will perform at  Bayou Academy's Harvest Festival. This is a night of fun, food, and entertainment, held in Bayou Academy's gym. We will sing at 6:00-6:15. Please come and enjoy the fellowship.

Christmas is Coming!!!!!
All grades have begun working on our Christmas songs. Save the date, December 13, 6:00 pm, to attend our annual PDS Christmas program at the Bologna Performing Arts Center!!! Remember, grades 3k - 5th grade need to wear a long sleeved red turtleneck or crew neck top, nice blue jeans, dark shoes and a belt.

See you all there!!!!
Sandi

Composer of the Month-October

Welcome to Composer's Corner

The composer we are studying during the month of October is

Franz Joseph Haydn.

1732-1809

             

                I am enjoying teaching (and learning) about Haydn this month. The students are learning about Haydn's early years with the Vienna Boys Choir, and his career as a court musician for Prince Nicklaus Esterhazy. WE are also learning to appreciate his sense of humor , which is so evident in symphonies No. 94 (The Suprise Symphony) and No. 45 (The Farewell Symphony). Ask your children to tell you what they know. Hopefully, they will be able to share some interesting facts and stories about this wonderful composer.

Go to  http://www.classicsforkids.com/  to learn more about Haydn and other composers.







Hoedown!!!

Yee-haw! We are gittin' all geared-up for our annual Hoedown/Square Dance. As I have said before, this is one of my favorite performances of the year. For the last 3 weeks, we have been learning our country and western dances in music class. It's just GREAT FUN (and pretty good exercise).

Our hoedown will be held next Tuesday, September 27, at 6:00 pm. We will be meeting in the gym to watch the classes dance. The 3k classes will dance first and we'll go right up the classes. The 5th and 6th graders will end the evening with the Cotton-eyed Joe. Your child has been "partnered up"  for the dance, so please do your best to have him/her here.

Composer of the Month - August

We are learning about one composer each month in music class. Our composer for the month of August was Ludwig van Beethoven. The children learned about his early music education (which he began at age 5), his friendship with Haydn, his admiration of Mozart, the loss of his hearing in his adult years, and that he continued to compose music after completely losing his hearing.
We all found it pretty amazing that he could continue to compose and perform music after becoming deaf. He never heard some of his own greatest compositions.

We have been singing "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee",  a hymn set to Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" from his 9th symphony.   I also let most classes play "Ode to Joy" on the handbells. The older students read the melody line. They really enjoy playing the bells, and they get excited when they can recognize the tune. After reading/playing the tune in music one day, a 5th grade student exclaimed "We're not so bad that I can't tell what we're playing!"

The younger students played "by tap."  In this method, I give the students the handbells, and as I tap each one on the head, he rings his handbell. They sound great as long as I know my part and play it well. Look below, and you will see photos of some of the 4k students playing (and being played) "Ode to Joy".

Let Everything That Has Breath PRAISE THE LORD!!!

"Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD." Psalm 150:6

This has been the theme of the music lessons and chapel services for the first week (more or less) of school at PDS. We can do that with our words, songs, instruments, and our actions. (See the rest of Psalm 150)
We also know that creation praises God. The mountains, the stars, the sun, the flowers and the animals all praise God.
Please join us Friday mornings at 8:30 a.m. for chapel. You can help lend your breath in praising God.








Miss Mississippi, Mary Margaret Roark speaks to the students, reminiscing of her days in chapel at PDS.




Mary Margaret Roark, Miss Mississippi praises the Lord with the piano.

              

Bro. Walt Griffith uses books for an object lesson in Friday's chapel service.



Several students celebrate their birthdays in chapel.




3k students wait patiently for the older students to file in so chapel can begin.