1st Article of Faith Song

We got started with this first song.  I had the kids join me in keeping the beat while patting their laps while I sang the song to them.  Then they sang along as we repeated this.

Then we switched to clapping the rhythm of the words.  That is good because as they clap the words you can fix any errors they may have in the rhythm.

Now that they could do both of these, I had half the kids pat the beat while the other half clapped the rhythm.  I chose a child to lead the rhythm.  Just watched to see who was doing a good job and asked that child to lead.

Then we switched sides so that each side got to do both parts.

By then, the kids had the song learned well.  Everyone was doing something all the time so they were busily engaged.

Then I used the Keep the Beat and Clap the Rhythm cards and whenever I changed the cards, they had to do what the card said.  They liked that challenge.  I tried not to just change at the end of phrases which would make it pretty easy.  I wanted them to be really thinking as they sang.

Blogger is having a problem with videos right now, so if this video is not working for you, you can view it on You Tube at https://youtu.be/j_M01LZifjs

Keep the Beat and Clap the Rhythm

One activity that works well when teaching a new song is to sing the song while keeping a steady beat with your hands and then contrast that to clapping the rhythm of the words.  You have to be sure they understand the difference and can do each separately and then can switch back and forth as they sing the song.

Once the children can do both activities easily, you can then have half of the children keep the beat while the other half does the rhythm.

Senior Primary is capable of keeping the steady beat with their feet while clapping the rhythm with their hands.  They respond well to a challenge.  As you keep them challenged with difficult musical activities they will love singing time.

Beat:  for the younger children it is easiest to have both hands do the same thing so they can pat their lap with two hand to keep the beat.  Older children can "walk" their hands on their lap to the beat of the music, alternating right and left.

Rhythm:  for this activity we are using the pattern of short and long sounds made up by the words of the song.  Clap every syllable of every word to the exact pattern formed by the music to create the "rhythm of the words".

Here are my two signs I use with the children.  I like to go to the paint store and purchase paint stirring sticks to attach to my signs but this is certainly not necessary.