Students mix vocals, physical education

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Although many people associate school with a place where the only fun is found on the playground during recess, third-grade students at Jefferson Elementary have learned that fun can actually be part of the learning process.

On Friday, the students performed a joint vocal and physical education program for parents, and staff, who have had to adjust their schedule numerous times to accommodate the program.

The performance, called "Let the Snow Come Down," is the second show that combined both programs together, showing that music and movement are interlinked.

"It's a fun activity for us," said Principal Tanya Schull. "It's different. We decided it would be easier to divide the third grade into two groups of four classes for the performance. Otherwise, the parents wouldn't fit into the room."

Half the third grade performed in the morning, with the other half performing in the afternoon.

The program was coordinated with the efforts of music teacher Pat Nelsen and physical education teacher Todd McKeeth. The two developed the program, decided what activities to incorporate, and coordinated rehearsal time with the classroom teachers to make the whole production work successfully.

There were days when the entire classroom routine had to be changed to accommodate the schedules, and days when nothing seemed to fit.

The students prepared ahead of time, with the help of art teacher Ed Fornberg by creating a variety of winter-related projects that were used to decorate the gymnasium for the event.

The show, written by Jill Gallina, tells a story in song and dance. The premise of the story is a small town preparing for Christmas in the usual flurry of activity, with one exception. There is no snow.

The show began with a song requesting the snow to come, because the wind has been blowing, and the air has been cold, but there is no snow. When the snow finally comes, the children go out and build a snow man that becomes a very important part of the story.

Hoping to make the snowman last, they decide to put him into a deep freeze so they can play with him later in the season. The snowman decides running away is a much better option. The children then go out and try to find their snowman so they can bring him home. The conclusion drawn by the children is that a little love is needed to keep the snowman close.

The students then divided into classes to perform a variety of dances. One class performed what was called the seven jumps dance. Another performed the YMCA dance, complete with outfits reminiscent of the Village People. The final class performed a jump roping contest to the tune "Joy to the World."

The students used a xylophone, chimes, sleigh bells and other instruments throughout the performance as well.