Queen Esther: the brave, strong and courageous

This week my students had the opportunity to present chapel for all of elementary. About 2 month ago I realized my students were fascinated by drama- during their free play time they would set up the classroom like a theater, choose actors, directors, tickets salesmen and food vendors and do their best to put on a play. Seeing their enthusiasm
for drama, and my passion for directing performances, I decided to go all out and do a play for our chapel performance.

We chose to do the play "Queen Esther" because it fit with the other themes of chapel this year. We have been learning all about responsibility and doing what is right even if it's hard. I found a fun script online and we began to practice about 3 weeks ago.

The kids were involved in everything: they made the posters, tickets, and the backdrop. We found costumes and props in the costume room. We spent 2 weeks learning a song, dance and practicing lines (all in English). By the time the performance arrived the students were over the moon excited!

Parents were invited and on Thursday they rocked the house. Here are some pictures and video clips from their awesome performance.

Painting the back drop!

Coloring tickets!

Posters at the entrance

Stage all set up and ready to go!

My singers being so cute!

Basically the best dance routine ever (even if you can't hear the music because the audience is laughing so much!)

My cute little singers sings about being brave, strong and courageous.

King Xerxes and his guards and servants.

Esther eating dinner with Mordechai and Haman

Mordechai talking with Esther about saving the Israelite's.

All my delightful performers taking a final bow

Celebramos Colombia! (We celebrate Colombia!)

One of my favorite all-school events is "Celebrate Colombia". The Spanish teachers in each grade level create a presentation that tells a part of Colombia history, celebrates an aspect of Colombian culture and allows the students to grow in their personal cultural identity. Then parents are invited and the school comes together to watch each other's performances! It is so fun to see students to have patriotic pride in their beautiful country.

7th and 8th graders paid tribute to the farmers in this bountiful country and shared about the different political influences that have inhibited their growth (such as the conquistadors, the FARC, communists, etc.). They did then a traditional dance of the farmers.

PKers learned the traditional Cumbia dance. This is from the coastal region and very common in Colombia Some of my students memorized a small speech to share the history of the dance, then the whole class danced together. The students loved their outfits and the chance to dress up. I was so impressed and proud that they all memorized their steps and were not too nervous to perform in front of their parents and other students.

Kinder and first grade also did dances. It was so fun to see my previous classes not only grow in their dance skills, but work together as a team to dance and perform. As part of the celebration the MC called on parents and teachers to join the students for encore performances- which was great fun to have all the audience involved!

Kinder in their costumes during the dance

Various PK, Kinder and 1st grade students giving a small introduction speech

Palm Sunday

The arrival of a King. People praising. Crowds participating, as well as watching. Palm fronds waving. Garments laid down. A joyful celebration.

Every year I have the privilege to share with my students the celebration of Jesus' arrival into Jerusalem. This year we cut out paper palm fronds and waved them around, danced around the classroom singing Hosanna, discussed kings, and, thanks to a team of high school students from the States, we allowed our students to ride a "donkey" (one of the high school boys on his hands and knees).

Celebration. Joy. King of Kings.

As I was discussing this important event, I was struck with the simple joy of child-like faith. As I continue to grow in my understanding of symbols, the entrance into Jerusalem speaks to me of fulfilled prophecy, Jesus' declaration of His Kingdom on earth, and the wonderful grace-filled salvation from His sacrifice. For my students however, Jesus' entry is celebration! Jumping up and down, singing at the top of their lungs, and child-like joy.

It makes me wonder if after so many years in the faith, do I loose my child-like-ness? I get excited for Easter because I know it is the most important day of remembrance in my faith, but am I jumping up and down in excitement? Am I on the streets singing Hosanna at the top of my lungs? Do I eagerly wake up in the morning ready to praise God for His salvation? Have I lost the child-like inhibition to celebrate just because God is God?

My goal this Easter to to be filled with child-like joy. No, my neighbors don't have to worry I will be waking them up sing (screaming) early in the morning. But I am asking God to give me moments  of joy-filled, child-like celebration- whether it be through praise music, some great food, or creating beautiful things... we will have to see!

This is my student's favorite Easter song!

And here is their version! (disclaimer... they were all crowding me and the camera.. aren't they the cutest!?!)

A fun night out!

Working at ECA has its perks! Last week, Ed, my co-teachers and I were invited to a special concert given by the father of one of my students. Being new to the city, and not wanting to miss cultural opportunities, we accepted the invitation.

Well, apparently this person is a big deal in the Latin Christian music scene. We arrived at the concert and the line was out the door. We didn’t have any tickets so I was nervous about being able to get in. As we approached the door, I tried to explain to the ticket lady who I was and what I was doing. She thankfully flagged down the wife of the performer and gave us special front-section wrist bands. We were escorted to the front of the auditorium and sat down. I looked around and recognized a few of the people in front of us as families from the school. They had their children “greet their profe (teacher)” and we settled into our seats.

A little while later the concert started, and I was impressed by the performance! Apparently it was a CD release concert and was being streamed live via internet. I didn’t know any of the songs, but the blend of Christian and Latin music was fun!

Towards the end of the show, the singer got out a special award he had just been given- a Latin Grammy. That is when I realized just how legit of a performer he was and how much a treat this invitation really was.

As a way to end the show he had his family come up and sing with him. I was able to see my student, along with her family, praise God and worship together- what a fun experience!