A Western Holiday

On December 23rd the 3rd graders of Mill Road Elementary led the school in our annual Carol Sing.  This year at Mill Road we have a 'Western' theme, so I wrote an original script for our carol sing called "A Western Holiday."  31 students volunteered their time during several lunch recesses to practice dramatically reading the script. This year we had about 75 parents and community members in attendance.  Each 3rd grade class learned 2 songs, which were sung between the dramatic reading of the story of the Williams children and their unexpected Christmas in Texas.

When Dad has to go away on a business trip just a few days before Christmas, the three Williams children, are disappointed to find out that they will not be celebrating as they traditionally do, in their cozy Pennsylvania home.  Instead, the children stay with Grandma and Grandpa at their Texas ranch.  Before arriving at the ranch the kids try to predict what their Christmas will be like out West.  They envision a boring, desolate ranch with a cactus for a Christmas tree, no snow and Santa in cowboy boots and a ten-gallon hat.  They are soon pleased to find out that Grandma and Grandpa celebrate Christmas much like they do: baking Christmas cookies, decorating the Christmas tree and singing Christmas Carols by the fire.

Mrs. Tuell's Class opened the program with the song "Winter in the Country" by Teresa Jennings.  This song was a bit of challenge for them since it is a partner song (two songs being sung at the same time).  We will do more work on singing and identifying partner songs during the 2nd half of the year in music class.

Mrs. Tuell's Class also performed a song called "Whacky, Whacky West" by Karl Hitzemann.  Several students were selected to play BoomWhackers for the performance.

Next Mrs. Burkett's Class took the stage with a song called "Sitting Around the Campfire" which is another partner song by Teresa Jennings.

After "Sitting Around the Campfire," the whole school took part in our sing-a-long.  Mrs. Brewer also got in the act as "Great-Granny" and read the kids the story "The Night Before Christmas: In Texas That Is!" by Leon A. Harris.  The students loved her comedic rendition!

Mrs. Burkett's Class closed the program with "Christmas in the West" by Teresa Jennings.

A big 'Thank You' goes out to Justin Mader for being our last minute videographer!