Paper Plate Primary

The privilege of going to two different training sessions with Sharla Dance (see link to her website on the top tabs on my home page)are highlights and epiphanies in my music education. One of the wonderful ideas I got from training with her is to use paper plates as wonderful movement and focusing tools so that as Sharla says (and also the Kodaly method of teaching teaches this same principle) "the words to the song just go in the back door while the children are playing the game."

• My favorite way is to allow the children to "skate" by putting one paper plate under each foot and gliding around the room in time with the song we are learning.   Always set ground rules first about how the children should behave and remind them that we can only do "crazy" things like this if the very second the music stops the children go quietly to put the plates away under their seats and sit down.  Otherwise, we can't do a game like this next time.
• Sharla also features a video on her website showing ways you can use the plates as movement and rhythm instruments while the children stay right in place in their seats.

Be Musically Inspired,

Primary Music: Using a Rainstick to Teach Downbeat

I had a lot of success using the rain stick to teach downbeat to a large group of children today!  I simply explained that each time the person standing up leading the music has their hands go down--that should be with the downbeat of the song.  I chose a song with a 3/4 time signature which started with an upbeat (Choose the Right Way).  As we sang the song, I swayed from side to side tilting the rain stick with each downbeat.  I pointed out to the children that this song didn't start out right away on the downbeat so they needed to watch me closely.

I varied the activity by having groups of children come up front with me and sway with me, and by having an individual child take a turn leading the downbeat by tilting the rain stick. 

Be Inspired,

Primary Music: Introduce Downbeat and Beginning Composition

Musical Concept(s):  Review Rhythm and Beat, Introduce Downbeat and Composition step 1
Gospel Principle(s): Learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God (Alma 37:35), 
Follow the Prophet,
Resources:  The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ, Primary Outline 2012: Choose the Right,  The Children's Songbook (CS)
Supplies:

• Prepare a large poster with the words to Alma 37:35 (leave one line of space above the words for Solfege notation--melody, and two lines below the words for Rhythm and Beat notation)
• Prepare items and ACTIONS to help with the words for 9th verse of Follow the Prophet: examples: a picture of the world (now we have a world where), a picture of a group of people (people are confused), SHAKE YOUR HEAD BACK AND FORTH (if you don't believe me), newspaper (go and watch the news), map (we can get direction), MOVE HANDS FROM LEFT TO CENTER TO RIGHT (all along our way),  HANDS BEHIND BOTH EARS (if we heed the prophets), MARCH IN PLACE (follow what they say).  a suit coat or a tie and a picture of the living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, for you to give to a child who can represent the prophet by marching around the room in a reverent  for the other children to follow after.  (during the chorus)
• Rhythm instruments: small drums, paper plates to clap together or to use as drums, shakers, etc.
• A rainmaker instrument that can be turned over at each down beat.

Songs to be prepared to use:  Last verse of Follow the Prophet ( CS p 110-111),  Keep the Commandments (CS 146),  Stand for the Right (CS 159)

Opening Exercizes
Opening Song: Keep the Commandments  (CS 146), verse one
Explain that singing and moving together in a reverent manner is a way to unite us together and to invite the Holy Ghost to be with us.Invite the children to reverently follow your movements as you sway your hands side to side, as a wave front to back, conducting with two hands . . .whatever you feel is appropriate and keeps their attention.  Hint: If some are not paying asmuch attention, then it is time to switch movements more frequently.
Welcome Song: Hello Song (CS 260)" Let's welcome our new visitor(s) by having each child wearing their favorite color(s) be the echo in this song" Remember to find out what the visitor(s) favorite color(s) is.
Birthday Song: You've Had a Birthday (CS 285)
Article of Faith Song: As determined by the Primary Presidency.

JR Music Time:

General instructions: have a prepared flow of the dynamics planned in your music time. For example, begin with an attention getting or action activity/song--flow to a quieter activity--back to a louder or more movement song--always finish with a quiet activity and bear your testimony of the principles taught in Sharing and Music time that day.

1) Get Attention:  "Follow the Prophet" (CS 110-111) verse 9

• Begin by calling up a boy to put on the suit coat and hold a picture of the prophet.  Explain that during the chorus all the children may get up from their chairs and walk around the room following this child helper.  Explain that we can have fun and do loud or movement activities only if we can quickly return to quiet attention as soon as that activity ends. Remind them that if any children are not reverent their teacher will help them back to their seat early--then they may quietly walk back to their seats when the music stops and if too many are noisy or out of control, then the rest of the activities of the day will be quiet ones.
• Use the items and ACTIONS you prepared to sing the verse with the children.
• When the chorus starts, show the helper child the direction you want him to march around the room and help the children to get up and follow him in an orederly fashion (maybe row by row or class by class.  If you have a large group the chorus could be repeated with only one class at a time)

2) Flow to a quieter activity: Composition step #1 using Alma 37:35

• Place the poster you prepared on the board. 
• Echo Clap--Have the children follow you as you clap and say one line at a time saying "my turn" point to yourself and indicate that they should listen to you.  Then point your hands out to them and have them repeat line one with you. Repeat with each line as time allows.

3) Increase the dynamics again and flow to a movement activity: "Stand for the Right" (CS 159)

• Hand out rhythm instruments to several children (probably begin with the youngest class)
• Have one older child or teacher come to the front and be prepared to lead the beat with a hand drum.
• Sing the song and have the children keep the BEAT with their instruments following the drum.
• Sing several times, having children pass their instruments to another child until everyone has a turn with an instrument.  (If time is short, you can stop the song at different sections for switching time)
• Put the instruments away.

4) Conclude with a quiet song and testimony: I Wiggle (CS 271)

• Sing the song and do the actions to help them be prepared to be reverent again.
• Bear your testimony of the importance of following the prophet and keeping the commandments. (Important note: This step is easy to forget to do as you rush to end your music portion of time, however be sure to allow time to bear your testimony since it is one of the most important ways to teach and to invite the Spirit)

Sr Primary Music Time
Same as Jr Primary with the following exceptions:

2) When working on the composition of Alma 37:35 the older children may be ready to add the next step to the rhythm:

•  Place a vertical line under each syllable to indicate the beginning stage of composing the rhythm for this scripture.
• If there is time to go farther, add in some ti-ti's  where appropriate (also called eighth notes--by adding a horizontal line connecting two of the the  vertical lines).  Hint: Generally, in a beginner's rhythm, you use a ti-ti when the way a word is said indicates  a faster rhythm.

For example in the words "Oh remember my son"  it could be said all evenly and slowly:
 Oh,   re   mem   ber   my   son              
   l      l      l       l     l      l
 Ta    Ta    Ta    Ta  Ta   Ta
Or it is a much more natural and interesting rhythm if:
Oh,- re   mem-ber   my    son
   l  l          l  l       l       l
  ti-ti       ti - ti     Ta    Ta

4) Conclude with a more "grown-up" quiet song such as repeating Keep the Commandments
 DON'T FORGET TO SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY!

Be Inspired,

Primary Singing Time: Teach Beat and Rhythm

I believe it is really important to take the time to teach elements of music along with the songs in primary.  Then we have more music leaders and musicians for the future.

Focused song: Review "As A Child of God"  all three verses (Primary 2012 Outline) and the hymn 236  "Choose the Right" first verse
Concepts taught this week:  Conducting,  Beat and Rhythm
Musical connection thought: The music we listen to actually affects the way our heart beats inside our bodies.  We need to be sure the beat is one that keeps our heart healthy.  We also must make sure  the words of the song are uplifting and inspirational to keep our minds and spirits pure.
Supplies:  Rhythm Instruments (or use clapping or tapping thighs), Rhythm cards for"As a Child of God"

Junior Primary Singing Time:
Conducting was taught by inviting the children to follow me as I led the music.( I used "Choose the Right as the opening song)  I used both hands in Kodaly fashion so that children don't have to think through the transition of left and right hand leading.  I also exaggerated the movements and led more "stiffly" so I was easier to follow.

I used only the simple rhythm:  TA  TA  TA   (three quarter notes, or three simple lines in Kodaly method).  Clap this rhythm with me.  We clapped it several times on different parts of our bodies:  head shoulders, knees . . .)  Then I handed out rhythm instruments starting with the smallest Sunbeam class (3-4 year old children) and let them use those to repeat the simple rhythm.  We then shared by having each child with an instrument pass them to a child without an instrument.  Those without instruments continue to follow with their hands.  I pointed out that the beginning of the song uses this rythm pattern. (I came to . . .)

Then we switched to beat and everyone sang through the complete song, sharing instruments after each verse.

Senior Primary Sharing Time:
I did much the same as Jr. only I placed all five different rhythms used in the measures of the song "As a Child of God"  onto the board with magnets.  Then I proceeded to clap out each one having children guess which rhythm  I used.  We found the different places in the song where each rythm is.  Then I passed out instruments to one side of the room.  That side kept the beat and the other side followed me in clapping out the rythm of the entire verse 1 and chorus.  Then we switched sides allowing the other children to use the instruments and keep the beat. (I used an older child to lead the children keeping the beat so my hands were free to lead the rhythm section).

The time flew and the children all seemed excited to participate.  Yes even the 10-11 yr old boys!

Be Inspired,