Welcome and Welcome Back!

Bulletin boards are done, rooms are decorated, supplies organized, and schedules are prepared.  We are very happy to welcome back all our "old" friends, and excited to meet all our "new" friends.  The Lower School Music calendar is jam packed full of many performances, so fasten your seat belt!
It will be a fabulous year!  Here's the link to the Lower School Music Performance Schedule:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9ivxaC9DoMkSS1adjBYR0R5WUE/view?usp=sharing

Maypole and May Day celebrations

This week, we've been celebrating May Day with a little maypole dancing.  I remember enjoying this when I was in elementary school.  I finally found a tutorial showing how to easily make a maypole, and I couldn't wait to try it out.  This is a big hit in all of my classes.  It brings back sweet childhood memories.  I hope it will do the same for many of you!  Happy May Day! *Here's a link to one of my 3rd grade classes dancing around the maypole:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkXDK4fKiTU

"Arf!"--A Summer Camp Musical

"ARF!" the Musical, Summer Camp

Where:  George Walton Academy in Monroe, GA

Dates:  June 6-10

Time:  Monday-Thursday 9am-12noon

            Friday 4:00-7:00pm with a performance at 7:00pm

Ages:  Those entering 1st-5th grades

Instructor:  Mrs. Debbie Dyer

Cost:  $125.00

*You do not have to be a GWA student to attend.  This camp is open to the public!

This is a dog-filled, delightful musical.  All dog breeds are busy rehearsing for the upcoming dog show, vying for 1st place.  The competition makes for a wagging tail/tale!  Students will receive a practice CD, script, light snacks each day, and a Friday pizza party!  A performance for family and friends will close out the week.

To sign up online, click on this link and look for "Arf!" the Musical

https://campscui.active.com/orgs/GeorgeWaltonAcademy#/selectSessions/1376201

"We The People"

Recently, GWA 3rd & 4th graders presented performances of "We the People".  Patriotic songs, such as "This Land is Your Land", "You're a Grand Old Flag", and "God Bless the USA" were a few of the songs included in the program.  Though all the selected songs were the same for both grades, the 3rd and 4th grade scripts were entirely different because each grade wrote portions of the script.  The patriotic performance was a celebration of our American heritage. Kudos to all the children for a job well-done!

SPRING IS HERE!

K4 and K5 Present:  "The Color Factory" 

Thursday, March 10, George Walton Academy's K4 & K5 classes performed the musical,"The Color Factory".  All colors are important, and when we work together, we can make even MORE beautiful colors.  It just takes TEAMWORK!  Thanks to all the K4 & K5 teachers and the parents for helping make the program a success!  A special "thank you" to Mrs. Patti Lewis for designing and decorating the set and stage.  To all my precious students:
YOU DID A MARVELOUS JOB!  I LOVE YOU!
~Mrs. Dyer

 

"Ain't I Rock Candy"

During part of first grade music today, we sang and danced to an American folk song/dance, called "Alabama Gal".  It's a silly song that ends with the phrase, "Ain't I rock candy".  It means, "Aren't I as sweet as rock candy".  To explain what rock candy was, I showed the students a brief YouTube video which demonstrated how to make it.  Here is the link (Preview the ad before the video):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oUUkAT6xeA  I wanted to share it with you in case you wanted to make a batch over the long weekend (Remember, we have Monday off!).  Music is a fantastic medium for teaching many things--in this case, we learned a bit of our American heritage,  the meaning of a new expression,  learned how to "cook", got exercise AND HAD FUN!!  And you thought all we did was sing songs!  :) 

Have a musical day!
Mrs. Debbie Dyer

 

Christmas: A Comparison of Secular and Sacred Christmas music

In music class, we've talked about the meaning of the terms "secular" and "sacred".  We've sung "novelty" Christmas songs such as "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer", "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", and "The Grinch", and we've had tons of fun doing so!   We've also sung "sacred" Christmas carols such as "Away in a Manger", "Joy to the World", "O Come All Ye Faithful", and "Silent Night".  In our 3rd & 4th grade Christmas musical, we sang many secular songs, but we ended with Linus' recitation of the Christmas story from the Bible, followed by a sacred Christmas carol.   Here is my Christmas present to all of you:  Linus' recitation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtPpcWGRb0k  and Josh Groban's presentation of my favorite Christmas carol, "O Holy Night".https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU  Merry Christmas, and God bless us, everyone!