Recently in my music classes, the students learned about the history of May Day, which is May 1st. A tall pole decorated with long, brightly colored ribbons, and with flowers on top, is central to the celebration. Traditional folk music is played while participants dance around the May pole. Though the meaning of May Day has changed through its history, today it is a symbol of Spring.
During the 1800’s in England, villages created their own song, or their own version of a popular folk song, and went from house to house every May Day, singing the town song and delivering a “branch of May”(flowers and greenery) to each home. This “May Day caroling” would end in the center of town, around the May pole. First and Second grade classes at GWA recreated this tradition by taking flowers to different people around campus, singing a May Day carol, and wishing them “a joyful May”. We presented May Day bouquets to over 16 different groups or individuals.
Pictured below is Mrs. Pulliam’s 1st grade class. They took flowers and sang to Mrs. Rebecca Ratliffe and Mrs. Carolyn Phillips in our Lower School Media Center.
Also pictured is Mrs. Franklin’s 3rd grade class as they prepared to dance around the May pole in Music.
No comments:
Post a Comment