Advent & Christmas Lesson

Miss Olivia Ottava, felt it was about time the girls had a lesson on Advent and the Christmas Season.

Miss Ottava sings some Christmas songs while the girls are working

They are amazed by the lovely colours of the cards they have got to use to make something with.

They set to work.

I wonder what they will make?

The First Instrumental Music Lessons

The girls have had their first instrumental music lesson.

Peggy Sue just couldn't wait to get started and had her 'cello out and set up before her teacher Miss Camille Capricccio arrived.

Peggy Sue learns about the four different strings and their names and then is tested on them.

She practises nice long bows on the open strings to help develop a good tone and bow control.

She looks like a natural!

Later in the day Edith has her first flute lesson.

Her teacher is Ms Fenella Fortissimo and she shows her how to hold the flute, form an embouchure and make her first tentative sounds on the flute.

Poor Edith finds it quite hard.

Ms Fortissimo suggests that Edith just practises with the head joint for the first week.  She has also told Edith how important it is not to over breath as often beginning students can end up feeling quite dizzy when learning to first make a sound on their flute.

The girls have been given a practice sheet and their first lessons.  Both girls have been asked to write a little paragraph about their instrument and to draw some diagrams showing the different parts of their instruments.

A new girl, a talk and nature journals.

A little later the girls are working on their Journals.

Redwork Embroidery Cushion

Peggy Sue has been working hard at her stitchery and although a little rushed has finished her little cushion.  She thinks it is probably a little bit smaller than she would have liked and realises she didn't quite get the corners as she would have liked and is going to make another.  Miss Prim was delighted to see her finished work though when Peggy Sue showed the class.

and the next one in colour.

Peggy Sue also heard some exciting news today - another girl is coming to school ...you can read about it here.

Nature Observations

The nature table is full of Autumn delights.

Golden browns, greens, yellows, golds and reds.

Looks like the girls are building up a collection of conkers.

Miss Olivia Ottava is thrilled with the observations that the girls have listed.

Conker, conker on the tree,

Won't you come falling down to me.

Careful though if you please,

To miss my head and toes you see,

As hard as anything you are sure to hurt

and bumps and lumps will result.

But fun games can be had with conkers to be sure

Searching for the one that is the best

Hard and round is just right

to be ready for the conker fight!