Using handbells at Christmas is great fun for the children. To see how I introduce the handbells before teaching any of the songs with handbells, you can look at the post for The First Noel. This is another approach to … Continued
Silent Night How do you teach a simple, slow song that has big words for the children? Silent Night is one of those beautiful songs that can touch hearts. Unfortunately, because it is slow, and the children’s heart beats are … Continued
Ideas for Older Children to learn The Shepherd’s Carol Idea #1 – Actions in the round Challenge the children. Tell them you are going to teach them some actions to the song, then you will have half of the room … Continued
Too much of a good thing? Yes, if you use the bells too much, but during December I bring out the bells at least two weeks in a row. Here are the posters for Away in a Manger. This song … Continued
The children are restless during the opening exercises. I smile as I recognize their poorly veiled excitement about getting out of school for the Christmas holiday coming up. When the time for music comes, I start with a movement based … Continued
Ideas to teach The Shepherd’s Carol to children Image by Morgan Weistling. See this website for for her beautiful reasons for painting this.http://www.morganweistling.com/galleries/gallery03/kissingfacegod.html Idea #1 (Action word actions and Silent Singing – very effective) “Can your hands follow my hands?” you ask … Continued
July: Come Follow Me – Lesson Plans and Activity Ideas for Singing Time. WEEK ONE Younger: Magic Crayon What color is your crayon? Mine is magical and changes while we sing. Older: Color Code What does this code have to do with … Continued
What do you see? What do you notice? The children look at the posters and give their answers. Some will name the shapes, some will say it has some thing to do with loud or soft of the song, … Continued
Shake. Pass. Pick Up. Shake. Pass. Pick Up. The gentle passing game with the egg shakers captures the mood and feel of the song, yet in a way that challenges the children. Tell the children: Here’s the pattern. (Hold an … Continued
Can you be my mirror? The child across from me tries to follow me as if he or she was a mirror and I was moving in front of it as I sing the song, Come Follow Me. I move slowly … Continued