Restoration Medley

The program song this month is one of our choice. Because I have a musical theatre background (or maybe I'm just crazy) I wanted to tell a bit of a story about the restoration... So instead of just keeping things simple (which is usually best) I decided to go ahead and make a medley of restoration songs.

The songs we are using are: The Golden Plates (verse 1), The Sacred Grove, The Priesthood Is Restored, and On a Golden Springtime (3rd chorus).

To prepare for the medley (as well as to give time for it to be composed) a few weeks before my chosen date to teach this song we will learn the songs listed individually. That way when the medley is being taught they already know it for the most part and it's just a matter of fine tuning into a beautiful medley :)

Now, I've never claimed that I am a composer (or even a pianist), so this is probably not written correctly and I probably have made quite a mess of things (I just tried to base it off of singing combined with the bit of musical theory I know...), but below is a link to my attempt at creating a medley to bridge these restoration songs together. Feel free to use it, change it, or laugh at it ;) Good luck!

Find my Restoration Medley HERE

"The Priesthood Is Restored"

This week we will be learning the last song for our "Restoration Medley", The Priesthood Is Restored (CS 89).

I figure the way I will teach this is to show the above picture, play the "echo" game to learn the words, and focus on teaching some technique to hold out the longer notes. Simple enough!

Then I will teach them our "Restoration Medley" which will be more like a review that combines all the songs we've learned the last three weeks :) I'll also review our Mother's Day song and add in the handbells.

"On a Golden Springtime"

The song I will be focusing on for singing time this week is, On a Golden Springtime (CS 88). The part I want to focus on is the chorus of the third verse about receiving the gospel because that is the part the children will be singing in our Restoration Medley for this year's program (that we will be learning next week); but for this week I want to also tie in the first verse and entire third verse of the song and how it symbolizes/is about the restoration and also about having faith that the restoration happened like they have faith (hopefully) that a seed will grow into a plant.

To begin, since it is , I want to use an actual seed and plant as a visual as I teach the first verse, because it makes me happy :D

I will ask the Children, "who here has a garden or likes to garden?" Then I will show them my visual and I'll talk about the miracle of how a seed can turn into a plant using pretty descriptions of the springtime. We will then sing the first verse (because I'm pretty sure they already know it), reviewing the words as necessary and while pretending to be seeds that grow into plants - because it's fun!

Scriptures: I will probably just summarize this part for the Jr. Primary, but for the Sr. I will have them split into three groups to discuss the scriptures 1) Alma 32:28, 2) D&C 88:7, and 3) Joseph Smith - History 1:17 with some helpful questions to help them discover the general meaning of the scriptures that they can then share with the Primary (as the pianist quietly plays some pretty music about the restoration)...found HERE. We will then have an explanation of scriptures 1 and 2 given and sing the first verse once more so they can think about a seed growing being like having their testimonies grow as they sing. Next we will have an explanation of what scripture 3 is about and learn the third verse.

To learn the third verse I will use the same pictures as in my post "The Sacred Grove" as a visual since they tie in so well (or you could use this lovely flip chart HERE). Since sharing time will have talked about the message in this verse I will only review the key points as necessary. With the visuals it should be easy to learn this verse and then to help with the chorus I will play the echo game for each line and adding in actions as they fit/are needed. To help them understand it I will ask the questions, "Why should the nations all awake?" ANSWER: To receive the gospel light. (Sing that phrase). "Is the gospel true?" Yes! "What will we receive when we truly accept the gospel?" ANSWER: It's glorious light. (Sing that phrase). Then we will sing the chorus of the third verse and then sing the whole third verse for good measure.

Finish by bearing testimony that Heavenly Father and Christ did appear to Joseph Smith (maybe mentioning the forest glade and how it was a beautiful spring morning to tie everything together) and how we can "each look toward the light of the gospel that has been restored" (A Children's Songbook Companion by Graham, Gourley, Shipp, and Stewart, pg. 125).

HERE is another flip chart for this entire song some might like from "Happy Clean Living"

Happy singing!

"The Sacred Grove"

Our Primary learned this song, The Sacred Grove (CS 87), a couple of months ago, so we will be reviewing it this week as we prepare to learn our Restoration Medley containing part of it next week.

The way I taught this song originally was by following the ideas in the book, A Children's Songbook Companion by Graham, Gourley, Shipp, and Stewart.

Summary of teaching: I had them close their eyes while the music was played and I described the morning when Joseph entered the Sacred Grove (complementing the words in the song). Then I sang it for them. The song was then repeated as I asked questions and made statements about the words in the song until they were very familiar with it. *I really like the part where "Joseph Knelt" and the notes descend (as I had pointed out to the children).
I also used pictures to enrich the song: trees, the sun, Joseph kneeling, a picture of the first vision, etc.

REVIEW: To review this song I will just use the same pictures and maybe point out some of the answers to the questions I had originally asked. I shouldn't have to do too much to introduce this song because it is tied into the sharing time lesson.

"The Golden Plates"

I actually will be out of town this week, but here are some ideas for teaching The Golden Plates (CS 86):

Mention how these were part of the truths lost (to tie in with sharing time lesson). *Feel free to prepare any visuals/games you think would be useful. The "echo" game (they repeat each line after you once or twice and then add some lines together until it's complete) works well for teaching. You could also use some of the ideas below (or of course search the Internet for some other ideas):

Visuals + Role Play Activity

Make "Golden Plates"

Prophets - May 2013

In May the theme in primary is about the Prophets and how they teach us to live the restored gospel (find the 2013 Primary Outline HERE). There is no song recommended this month; instead we are to choose our own song from the Children's Songbook. For our ward's primary program (if there is enough time) I think I might ask someone to play this Joseph Smith Medley found HERE. I think it would be very pretty between/to finish off our restoration medley going into a song about the prophets. For the children we will sing We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet (perhaps adding in the congregation). We will also learn and sing Latter-day Prophets and Follow the Prophet (verses 8 & 9, + maybe 2, 3, & 7 as well) just for singing-time.

**Don't forget that if you are performing in sacrament meeting for Father's Day like we are to start on that too! We are doing Daddy's Homecoming with actions and possibly bells (found HERE).



My lesson plan for May:

May 2013 Music

Welcome: We Welcome You (CS 256 - short version)

Birthday: Feliz Cumpleanos (CS         )

Baptism: When I Am Baptized (CS 103)

Article of Faith #6

Mother’s Day song: Mother, I Love You (CS 207)

Program Song: We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet (Hymns 19) – use wordstrips in Outline

Fun: Follow the Prophet (CS 110), Latter-day Prophets (newest version)

5th/Week 1 – Prophets lead under direction of Christ

Reverence: Before I Take the Sacrament (CS 73)

Opening: Stand for the Right (CS 159)

Sharing: Chorus of Follow the Prophet (CS 110)

Singing: review MD song with bells, learn Program song

Closing: Father, I will Reverent Be (CS 29)

12th/Week 2-Mother’s Day – Prophets lead under direction of Christ

Reverence: This Is God’s House (CS 30)

Opening: Keep the Commandments (CS 146)

Sharing: Chorus of Follow the Prophet (CS 110)

Singing: Follow the Prophet (CS 110), Game/craft (mother’s day gift)

Closing: We’ll Bring the World His Truth (CS 172)

19th/Week 3 – Prophets teach to pay tithing

Reverence: I’m Glad to Pay a Tithing (CS 150)

Opening: Reverence Is Love (CS 31)

Sharing: I Want to Give the Lord My Tenth (CS 150)

Singing: Latter-day Prophets (newest version), Program song, learn Daddy’s Homecoming (CS 210)

Closing: We Bow Our Heads (CS 25)

26th/Week 4 – Prophets teach to live the WoW

Reverence: How Will They Know (CS 182) BY TRIO?

Opening: The Things I Do (CS 170)

Singing: Review Program song, The Word of Wisdom (CS 154)

Closing: The Lord Gave Me a Temple (CS 153)

Restoration - April 2013

The theme for April in primary is about the restoration of the gospel (find the 2013 Primary Outline HERE). There is no song recommended this month; instead we are to choose our own song from the Children's Songbook. Instead of doing a single song for our ward's primary program I am wanting to do a medley on this topic with the songs: The Golden Plates (verse 1), The Sacred Grove, On a Golden Springtime (3rd chorus), and The Priesthood Is Restored (possibly before the previous song). ANYONE WANT TO PUT A MEDLY TOGETHER FOR ME!? ;)

Because of General Conference we will only have three weeks of singing-time dedicated to the restoration topic. So the first two weeks I will have them the songs individually and then the last week we will hopefully be able to put it together in medley format. I'm pretty excited for this and hope it all works out.

Now to figure out visuals and all that ;) <-to be posted later

**Don't forget that if you are performing in sacrament meeting for Mother's Day (like we are) to start working on that as well! We are doing Mother, I Love You with bells that can be found HERE.



Here is my lesson plan for the month:

April 2013 Music

Welcome: Hello Song (CS 260)

Birthday: Have a Very Happy Birthday (CS 284)

Baptism: When I Am Baptized (CS 103)

Article of Faith #5 (CS 125)

Program Song: Restoration Medley

Fun: Book of Mormon Stories (CS 118)

14th/Week 1 – After Christ and Apostles died, gospel truths were lost

Reverence: Book of Mormon Stories (CS 118) VERSES 1,2, & 8 fit well

Opening: All Things Bright and Beautiful (CS 231)

Singing: The Golden Plates (CS 86) – mention how these were part of the truths lost, Mother’s day performance song

Closing: A Prayer Song (CS 22)

21st/Week 2 – Heavenly Father and Christ appeared to Joseph Smith

Reverence: The Prophet Said to Plant a Garden (CS 237)

Opening: An Angel Came to Joseph Smith (CS 86)

Singing: The Sacred Grove (CS 87), On a Golden Springtime (CS 88), review MD song

Closing: Sing Your Way Home (CS 193)

**ASK AN ADULT TRIO TO SING 5/26/13 HOW WILL THEY KNOW CS-182 FOR REVERENCE SONG??

28th/Week 3 – Priesthood was restored by heavenly messengers + Joseph Smith translated Book of Mormon and restored gospel

Reverence: The Golden Plates (CS 86) + The Sacred Grove (CS 87)

Opening: On a Golden Springtime (CS 88)

Singing: The Priesthood Is Restored (CS 89), Restoration Medley

Closing: This Is My Beloved Son (CS 76)

Handbell Rehearsal

Today was the first rehearsal with some Children from the stake for our handbell performance at a special stake training. Because it is spring break (which I didn't realize when scheduling it because I don't have school-aged children) we were missing some of the Children, but we still had enough come that we just doubled up each person with 2 bells and were just fine.

If you are curious what this is all about and what music we have been working on you can find it HERE.

Today I just wanted to share how I teach handbell music. I will warn you I am not an expert and everyone really should customize how they teach to fit their circumstances and the needs of the children, but this is how I do it:

1. First teach them the song without any bells. This is important to do so they can pick up the bell part more easily.
     - There are many ways to do this, but one of my favorites is to play the "echo" game. I sing one line or phrase at a time and have them repeat it once or twice before we move on. I will then combine some of the phrases to make bigger phrases to repeat or just play "add on" where we add each phrase on to the song singing from the beginning each time.

2. (This step can be skipped, but I usually do it because the kids are anxious to play with the bells). Have the kids play the bell part to get familiar with their notes/bells without worrying about timing/tempo. I just point to each note and we don't move on until it has been played.

***Before letting them have/use the bells I always go over my rules of not playing their note unless it is their turn when I am pointing to it, to respect the bells, hold them/play them properly, etc. Depending on the group I may even say that if they do not respect the bells I will have to let someone else use their bell.***

3. Next have the children clap the rhythm of the notes so they know what to expect.

4. Now try playing the bells at a slow tempo with the rhythm gradually increasing the speed each time. If you have a pianist have them play the same notes along with the Children and/or you yourself can sing the notes.

5. Once they seem ready (doesn't have to be perfect), add having the children sing and/or the accompaniment if you have those elements.

6. Practice, practice, PRACTICE! And once the performance comes don't worry too much if they aren't perfect; it will sound great as long as you can recognize the song and the kids and everyone involved have a good time enjoying making/listening to music :)

*The bells in and of themselves are fun for the kids so you don't usually have to worry about anything else. But if they do seem to be getting restless maybe take a break and sing a fun action song without the bells. It's really good for them to learn to work hard and focus a bit through this process, at least in my opinion, but this doesn't mean you can't throw fun things in like taking out certain notes or words to challenge them (and get them to pay attention in the process).
**If you are musically inclined and want to give them a fun game with the bells, you could always line them up like they keys of your "instrument" and point to them when they should play their note. If you did this without sheet music it can be fun as they anticipate your pointing at them. You could also not tell them the song you are about to "play" and have them guess it as they recognize it.

Spring 2013 Handbell Training

I was asked to do a training on using handbells for my stake. I'll be working with a small group of children from the stake to perform during the training to show how great it is to use handbells in Primary. We are lucky enough in our stake to have been given a large set of handbells for each building so they are holding this training to encourage their use.

For the demonstration/performance I will have the children sing/play:

The descant of this year's theme "I am a Child of God" found HERE (we colored in the notes to match our bell sets with corresponding letters/numbers as an activity)

A complementary accompaniment (I call "chords") to "Mother, I Love You" found HERE and

Just a little bell accent to "Daddy's Homecoming" found HERE

The idea is to show different ways in which you can use the bells, different formats for creating/printing the sheet music, and how easy it all is.


I also have located and/or created a few other songs we will be giving to each ward so they have a nice little handbell music library to get started:

"A Child's Prayer" (higher "chords") found HERE

"Families Can be Together Forever" (advanced accents, but you can always cut some of the notes to make it easier) found HERE

The melody of "I am a Child of God" found HERE (squares) or HERE (bell shapes)

"My Heavenly Father Loves Me" found HERE and

"Christmas Bells" with descant found HERE


*Please feel free to take and use any of this to benefit your own Primary :)

And in case it is helpful, HERE is a tutorial on how to make your own bell music!

Feel free to share your creations/finds! :D


P.S. You can find out what handbells I use in the Overview HERE

Create Your Own Handbell Sheet Music! -Tutorial

There are lots of options on the Internet when it comes to finding already made handbell sheet music (most of which are free). But sometimes you will run into problems where the colors do not match your handbell set, they have changed the key of the music so it now won't work with your accompaniment (or maybe you need to change it for one reason or another), or maybe you just can't find handbell sheet music for the song you want.

So, in case it is helpful here's a tutorial on how to make your own handbell sheet music!

1. HERE is a template (or HERE'S a PDF of it) you could easily use to create your own bell music :) ...or just paste some shapes in your word processor to represent the musical notes.
NOTE: Depending on your program you may need to hit return or add page breaks to your document a few times before beginning since you are going to be working with pasting and inserting more than normal typing and without it you may find some grief later ;)

2. Now, if desired, insert a text box under each line of shapes to add the words of the music. (I usually just make the text box wide enough for the whole line and then use my "tab" and "spacebar" keys to get the words in just the right place).
TIP: Set the font size before adjusting the spacing or you will find much frustration later (I know this from lots of bad experiences;)

3. If you want to print everything with full letter/number labels and colors instead of hand labeling/coloring; once you have your shapes set up you'll want to insert a text box over the shape to add the corresponding note letter/number.

Horizontal

TIP: Think about how you are going to display your sheet music. Would it be best to make your pages line up in tabs and the line of music to go across the whole length of two or more pages (best if putting on a poster board or displaying in a horizontal line)? Or will it be best to have it like reading a book (best for vertical displays)? Also, consider the orientation/page setup of your pages to fit your needs best.

Verticle

 


4. Once you have your notes in proper order you can "fill" them in with the corresponding color to match your handbell set (this is often done by double clicking on the shape).

And VOILA! You have your very own custom handbell sheet music! Have fun!