The Holy Ghost

Strong Beat…4/4…through form with 2 verses…2 long phrases of 16 beats

1.       Simple Line Melody Map and Draw the song

Younger: Draw this simple line melody map on the board before the activity.  As you sing the song, draw these simple stick figure symbols to represent the words. Name the symbols: earth, send, us, friend, whispers, voice, God and Christ, rejoice.  Ask the children to sing only the word of the symbol when you come to it in the song.  Sing the song and point to the symbols as they come in the song.  Give the children 10 seconds to memorize the symbols, then erase two of them.  Ask the children what the symbols were. Ask the children to sing the words of the symbols (you sing the other words) and imagine those symbols in their heads.  Now erase two or three more. Ask the children what the symbols were. Ask the children to sing the words of the symbols (you sing the other words) and imagine those symbols in their heads.  Continue until all of the symbols are erased.

Older: http://teachingprimarymusic.com/the-holy-ghost-mountain-melody-map-and-the-second-verse-for-older-children/

2.      Paper Cups (Older) and Partner Arm Swings (Younger)

Younger: Ask as child to be your partner. Do partner arm swings occasionally calling out “Freeze!” and stopping, then starting again whereever you were in the song.  When you have finished the song, ask the child to get a teacher to be their partner and you choose another partner.  Sing and do the arm swings again, occasionally calling out “Freeze!”  Now ask all the children to get a partner, singing the song and doing the arm swings, with occasional freezes. Here is a video that might help. https://youtu.be/Q64bExRPtV4.

And one that is more complicated. https://youtu.be/z1dObqr17fI.

Older: Show the children the paper cup pattern while they are holding Imaginary paper cups. (Don’t pass out the cups yet.) Go slowly as you teach the pattern.  Now ask the children to do the pattern with you as you sing the song.  Pass out the cups and sing the song again, going slowly.  Ask the children to do the pattern again as you sing the song a little faster!  Here is a video that might help.   https://youtu.be/l5iqiYW2td8

3.      Spiral Notebook and pencil tapping to a steady beat

Here is a pattern that will work with this song. https://youtu.be/WW2NQol9VR0.

4.      Rhythm Stick Patterns

Younger: Patsch (tapping the lap) 4x, click (hitting the sticks together) 4x

Older: patsch, click, raise right stick to the air (you are holding it there for 2 beats), patsch, click, raise left stick to the air and hold.  Repeat 2x.

Freeze and change to this pattern on the words “The Holy Spirit…” : drumroll on your lap for two beats, click 2x, touch right stick to left shoulder, click,  touch left stick to right shoulder, click. Repeat 2x.  Ask if there are any volunteers that can help you lead both of those patterns as you sing the song.  Sing and do the pattern.  Ask if there are any more volunteers that can help lead the pattern.  Sing again.

Note: There are other ideas for this song on this website! ?