We began our morning with a wonderful lesson on church choir bells. Mr. Xander talked to the children about the many bells pictures below, how they were made, and how they work to make the many different beautiful sounds. There is a whole science to bell ringing, you know. It was fascinating to hear the history of the bells and to watch him play many bells at the same time and in different ways such as plucking, swirling, and rocking...all creating different types of vibrations and sound. A big thank you to Mr. Xander for sharing his time and talents with us today.
We went outdoors for just 10 minutes! We timed it. We made sure every child had a hat and gloves. It is important to get a good run and some fresh air, especially this time of year.
We had a short practice today with the microphone in the Sanctuary. It was very exciting to use the microphone to say our lines. We plan this pageant as a special time for all our families to come together to celebrate the holiday season, no matter what your celebration or beliefs may be, all are welcome to share their traditions here at EDS. We plan to tell the story of Christmas, and the children have had an active role in how the story is ultimately told. Each child chose the part they were comfortable with and that sparked their interest. They planned their costume and enjoyed the dramatic play with their friends. It is important to say here that the night of the pageant is about fun. It is a lot to ask of very young children to perform in front of an audience. This may be the first time for some of these very young children. If they are too upset to participate, that is perfectly fine for them to sit with you and watch their friends. We will encourage them, but we do not believe in forcing them to be a part of the pageant. Please hug them and enjoy your night with them, that is the important piece of this Christmas Pageant.
