Merry Christmas

I thought this was a cute Christmas snack idea--sugar snap peas, a cheese star, and pretzel sticks. A fun and healthy Christmas tree.

photo from energiseforlife.com/wordpress/

No school

Just got word that school is canceled today.

Happy shoveling!

More on Opera

This more detailed information came from Mrs. Day (thank you!):

Thanks to a grant from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums (formerly the Utah Arts Council), the National Endowment for the Arts and matching funds from the school, the third grade is learning about opera, writing a libretto, and singing with Serena Kanig Benish, musician, singer, and UAC Teaching Artist. During the week of December 13-17 the students will be rehearsing with Serena. There will be a performance on Friday December 17 at 1:30 on the stage of Mapleton Elementary. Each third grade class is learning a song from a classic opera an also writing a libretto about academic pursuits from their daily school schedule.


Serena Kanig studied voice and performed in New York City and throughout the Northeast before returning to her native Utah. She has been a soloist with orchestras and chamber groups, performing oratorios, concerts and recitals, as well as in operas and opera scenes and musicals. Serena was graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Performance from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and received a master's degree in vocal sacred music performance (a degree program she pioneered) from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Purchase in New York. She has been an adjunct instructor of voice at Utah Valley University (UVU) since 2007 and continues to perform regularly. Having had quite the "excellent adventure" producing operas with students at the elementary level, Serena is excited to be on the artist roster and to bring the opera experience to more students. She firmly believes the arts can give children new horizons that will be impressed on them forever.

Fa la la la LAAAA!

Has your little third grader been singing lately?

Mine has. He is downright operatic.

Complete with rolled rrrrrrrrrs.

This phenomenon is due to our artist in residence program. Serena Kanig Benish is an opera singer who has been teaching these students selections from classic operas since October.

A performance assembly will be held this Friday at 1:30. If you need a change of pace from "Jingle Bells," then this assembly is for you!

Wishing

The “Wish Upon a Star” program is an opportunity for teachers to have some of their classroom needs met through Christmas gifts. Many students enjoy bringing gifts to teachers at this time of year, and teachers often have needs that would otherwise have to be funded from their own pockets. Teachers list these needs on stars that are posted on their door. Students can choose a star and then bring that gift to their teacher for Christmas.

This program is completely optional and students are free to bring whatever gift (or no gift) they’d like, but sometimes nothing says “I love you” like a jumbo container of disinfecting wipes.

Tortilla Snowflakes

These tortilla snowflakes are a cinch to make and kids love them. I've made these with uncooked tortillas and they turned out great, but you could probably used the precooked kind as well (whole wheat would be yummy).

Fold the tortilla in half (if using the precooked kind, microwave it for a few seconds to make it more flexible), then fold in half again. Using clean scissors, cut the tortilla like you would a paper snowflake. Spray lightly with cooking spray and cook in a hot skillet or bake in a 400 degree oven. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and serve with fresh fruit.

photo from littlenummies.net