This semester my class has impressed me with their giving nature when the school raised money for the needy children of World Vision. Our class raised over sixty-two dollars which enabled us to send over warm blankets to clothe the children as well as several soccer balls to provide safe entertainment for the children. I was so proud of how the students were constantly asking me for the “love box” to put their spare change into during homeroom time. Their selfless behavior was uplifting and I know God will bless them for it.
The masquerade event was a celebration of having completed Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare is challenging for any group of students – young and old alike)! Students wore their own personally created masks, danced – Elizabethan style, participated in contests, and, of course had many goodies to snack on! It was the perfect way to end the year! – Ms. Collins
The 30 Hour Famine is an International youth movement to fight hunger. Students decide to go 30 hours without food. As students go 30 hours without food, they’ll get a taste of what it’s like to be hungry, all the while reaching out to others in need. And as they do that, their compassion will grow: for people around the world, and right here at home. As a fundraiser, our students held a coffeehouse event, which was May 16th through May 17th. In order to share the plight of those suffering from famine, Evangel’s seniors sang, danced, and delivered spoken word. They also presented skits, power point presentations, and a video documentary. In addition to all of that, they served food – a commendable feat since they were fasting. After the coffeehouse (Friday – Saturday), students played games, prayed, participated in Bible studies, completed a service project (adding murals to the first floor bathrooms of the school), had communion, and broke the fast with a pizza party! This experience brought our group closer together, allowed us to help feed hungry children, and blessed us with an opportunity to change our world forever.
Moments of African American History took our students on a trip of yesterday. We began with Phyllis Wheately’s poem “On Being Brought From Africa to America” and heard the cry for recognition of African Americans whom were created by a redeeming God that provided an “angelic train” for all. Next they heard Caesar Grant’s dramatized story, “All God’s Children Had Wings.” This story told of the power buried within each African American and each individual – the power to break free from the chains that bind. From there students walked the road to the Civil Rights movement and heard “We Shall Overcome” and Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Students were then lifted to new heights and dreams by Nikki Giovanni as they read “Nikki Rosa” and “Ego-Tripin’.” We concluded with a short essay that shares knowledge gained and inspiration planted.
Room 406 is moving forward in its efforts of attaining excellence. February, the beginning of the semester, saw over fifty students of various grades come out for a Black History event, which was held after school and lasted until 6:00 pm. Other highlights of the semester included the Shakespeare Festival held during the Academic Fair, which featured over fifteen various aspects of the Elizabethan period; the 30 Hour Famine, which involved the seniors investigating famine, creating fundraising presentations, and fasting for 30 hours; and a masquerade event, which will involve the freshmen re-creating the famous ball of Romeo and Juliet!
MS & HS Figure Drawing Electives Fall 2007
Ms. Janna DykThe goal of the figure drawing elective was to provide students with a chance to explore how to artistically render the human figure, with primary emphasis on drawing the face and hands. A variety of projects and in-class practice ensued. Each class session consisted of a short lesson about a different aspect of drawing the figure, followed by visual application (practice) of the concept discussed. Students took turns sitting as a model for one another, drew each others´ hands while alternating who would read about the new concept (while keeping their hands still!), and exploring various sketching exercises from Betty Edwards´ Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.
Two coinciding projects culminated the semester: a series of practice drawings of infants, as well as wood paintings on panels. Students exhibited their work at the Evangel´s Christmas show in December. A copy of the description of this show is included here:
The Baby Sketches
Before we started to draw Baby Jesus, we had to practice drawing babies. Previous to this assignment we had only drawn people, and since babies’ features are softer and smaller, we needed to get used to drawing them before starting our Christmas project. So, these are some examples of what we sketched in preparation for our final art pieces.
Karas Bonifas, 9F
writing for the class
The Wood Paintings
A number of influences inspired these projects. As a class, we discussed the significance of symbolism in early Christian art, particularly the art of the Catacombs, and the Byzantine and Renaissance period. Many triptychs and paintings on wood exist to document the significance of symbolism in early Christianity. (One might peak into the second floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for a taste of immense about of gold-glittering pieces from such eras). Illiterate persons relied solely on drawings and paintings (aside from priests’ teaching and mass) to augment their faith.
For centuries, the very “best and brightest” of artists were fervent believers. Ironically today, Christians and the artistic community often conflict. Artistic exploration may be discordant with biblical teaching. Within the past half century, however, a significant movement has arisen among contemporary Christian artists to revive the early vigor and influence of art infused by faith (and faith reiterated by art). Artist groups such as Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA), the International Art Movement (IAM), or individual artists such as the Frenchman Georges Roualt or Japanese artist Makoto Fujimura, implore persons with and without faith to consider issues of truth and of Jesus.
First sketching practice drawings of infants, the high school Figure Drawing Elective class was implored to create drawings or paintings on wood that reflected some of the early tradition of art, alongside their own faith. Since Evangel’s theme this year is “The Miracle of Christmas,” the students were encouraged to create projects alluding to this. Using books such as George Fergeson’s Signs and Symbols in Christian Art and a wide variety of art history texts, students tapped into a long-standing, meaning-filled Christian tradition to create these pieces.
Ms. Janna Dyk,
Art and Spanish teacher
Here´s what several students wrote about their pieces…
A Moment to Rejoice
The blanket over Christ has three colors: red, blue, and white. These reflect his purity, royalty in heaven, and the blood he would shed. The crown that brightly shines above him shows that he is king. The angels surround him to rejoice in celebration of his birth,, and will watch over Him always. Mary on the lower end of the picture is holding onto a columbine flower, which stands for the Holy Spirit.
What I want viewers to gain from this piece is the meaning of Christmas. For them to see how beautiful the day was many many years ago, and how we should still rejoice unto this day. The tiny Lord coming into our world and blessing us with his presence is a priceless gift God has given. Celebrate as the angels did this day.
Stephanie Massiah, 11W
Untitled
The star on my painting is a representation of Christ’ holiness and majesty. But I think the words holiness and majesty pale in comparison to what Jesus Christ really is. The baby in a manger is a representation of Jesus’ gentleness because as we all know some babies are usually gentle and innocent. The Cross is a representation of Christ’ symbol of love which is also the symbol of salvation. I would like viewers to gain that Christ is not just a symbol for Christmas but he should be a symbol for our daily lives.
Stephen Samaroo, 10
MS/HS Painting Elective Spring 2008
Ms. Janna DykThe emphasis for this class was on color mixing. Students were given the primary colors (red, blue, and yellow), as well as black and white, from which they learned to mix a variety of paint colors for their studies. An example of the color mixing exercise the class practiced is below. The assignment was to create the greatest variety of colors available using only the primary colors and white and black.
Considering Faith, Joy, and Peace in Mural Art
The climactic project was a group piece depicting some of aspect of faith, joy, or peace. Divided into groups of three or four, students created works that dealt with scenes illustrating, symbolizing, or representing these themes. A large part of the project was the discussion of murals and public art, as well as what an artist or group may intend in creating each.
Lo qué hicimos este año/A highlight of some activities from class this year…· Creating short stories using the conditional tense, to talk about “Lo que haría si hubiera un animal” (What I would do if I were an animal).
· Examining Spanish and English grammar to practice sentence formation
· Reading excerpts from internet articles, writing responses to a variety of questions, listening to Spanish music, and playing Spanish “Cinco” (Bingo) to increase comprehension
· Listening to and translating Spanish music for practice and new vocabulary
· Practicing the four components of the Spanish Regents Exam: listening, speaking, writing, and reading
· One student had this to say about class: “La clase de español es una experiencia tan buena! Although I come from a Spanish-speaking family, it´s extremely easy to forget all the things you learn speaking Spanish… Spanish class keeps you sharp, aware, and gives you a lot more of proper, spoken Spanish.”
· Textbook materials included Glencoe Spanish Buen Viaje, Nivel 2 textbook and workbook, Let´s Review Spanish, and Barron´s Spanish Regents Exams and Answers
Señorita Janna Dyk
Lo qué hicimos este año…
– Using Spanish as a venue for debating current issues
– Listening to Spanish music for practice and new vocabulary
– Talking about events in the past, in a variety of situations
– Learning vocabulary related to sports, health, cultural activities, vacationing, planning trips, daily care, and camping
– Watched a Spanish soap-opera series for students, entitled “Destinos”
– We used Glencoe Spanish Buen Viaje Nivel 1 textbook and workbook· One student had this to say about class: “I had a wonderful time in Spanish class this year. The thing that I enjoyed the most was playing the review games for the tests and quizzes. We also did ‘Tarea de Entradas’, which are Do-Nows to help refresh our memory of what we had learned the day before.”
Señorita Janna Dyk
Un resúmen de algunas actividades de clase…· Creating (creando) mini-profiles: students described their personal attributes in Spanish (“Quién Soy Yo” Project).
– Recording (grabando) mock TV and radio broadcasts in Spanish of sports events (“Una emisión deportiva” Project)
– Eyeing (mirando) Spanish-learning soap operas, “Destinos,” to increase comprehension
– Conceiving mini-skits to role-play in Spanish, and researching Spanish culture in the context of missions to Spanish-speaking countries (Missión 007 Projects).
– Examining (examinando) Spanish and English grammar to learn how to form sentences
– Reading (leyendo) excerpts from internet articles, writing responses to a variety of questions, listening to Spanish music, and playing Spanish “Cinco” (Bingo) to increase comprehension
Some “extras”…
*CRECER (sounds like “kray- sair”) means “to grow” (growing) in Spanish.
*Spanish this year involved learning to talk about and understand events in the present, in a variety of venues
*One student summarized class by saying: “Learning Spanish [was] a great time and experience for all of us… Even the work we had to do was fun getting done.”
*Textbook materials included Glencoe Spanish Buen Viaje, Nivel 1 textbook and workbook. Refer to www.spanish.glencoe.com for further information!
Senorita Janna Dyk