Verse Review

I used this to review the first verse of How Firm a Foundation, but it could be used with any song.

My visuals for the first verse look like this. . .

The previous week I had introduced the visuals, explained the song and taught the verse. My goal now was to review and cement what they had learned.

I had the oldest class put the visuals in order (as shown above) on a bulletin board before we finished singing through the song twice. When they were done we sang it together as an entire primary (ours is combined Jr & Sr) to check it.

I told the children I was going to trick them by turning over one visual. Then they sang it again--without me singing on the part with the visual turned over. We did this over and over until all the visuals were turned over and I wasn't singing at all. Each time I made a big deal about how NOW I could trick them or said things like, "Oh well, I have only turned over red so far and I KNOW I'll trick you by doing a YELLOW one" etc. As they sang, I would cover my mouth and put my arms out or my hands on my hips with an expression like "I got you now!" on my face. The kids ate it up. They LOVED it. We sang the song repeatedly and they had a lot of fun trying to prove to me that I COULDN'T trick them. After everything was turned over I told them they must have super x-ray vision to see through the paper and I bet if I turn the bulletin board around THEN it would trick them. Even the little sunbeams were singing their hearts out to prove me wrong. The kids had a lot of fun and didn't even realize how many zillion times we sang the verse!

Another idea for How Firm a Foundation

The art work is courtesy of Jeni at Singing time Helps, I just put two on a page, rather than one per page, I will cut them in half before using.

I am going to have the kids put the pictures in order as I sing the song a few times - to get them familiar with the song. Then I will give a picture, or two, to each class and they will be in charge of those words and we will go around the primary room with each class singing just their "part".

I've split songs up into parts like this before, having one class in charge of just one phrase, and we go around the room and have the class stand as they sing their part (the pianist has to keep watch to slow down between parts) and the kids really love it, and they really learn the song well using this method.

NOTE: In respect for Jeni's terms of use, you will need to go to her blog (following the link above) to view the visuals discussed in this post. Go there--they are great! Thanks for the reminder Jeni!

How Firm a Foundation

I don't know about anyone else, but I am really struggling with how to teach this song. I was trying to wait until I got other's ideas, but I'm leaving town in the morning, and had to get the lesson plan to my sub this morning. Anyway, this is my plan:

Show a picture of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and talk about the importance of having a firm foundation. (There is some cool info about the background and building of the tower that talk about how it was built on a weak foundation.)

Then, tell them they will be learning a song about having a different kind of firm foundation. Sing through the first verse with the pianist. I think the melody is a little tricky, so I have faces on sticks that show different ways of singing. For example, to sing "Ahh" they will hold up Ah-dree, to sing Lululu, they will hold up a stick that says "Loo-Loo", and the last one is hum-phrey. The kids can come pick the different faces so you can sing it at least 3 or more time, without having to learn the words.

Next, I'll have this poster on the blackboard with magnets.

Tell the kids that they will be building a foundation as they sing the song. There will be "pieces" scattered on the blackboard (held up by tape or magnets) that they will have to put in the right places. Kind of like a puzzle. One wierd thing, is that they will be starting at the bottom and work there way to the top. Sing through the verse while you point at the different spots on the poster, so they can start to get the idea of where the pieces will go. Then, start with the first line, or the "brick" foundation. After all the bricks are up, review the line a few times. Next, go to the next layer of the foundation, and repeat the process until the verse has been taught. Don't forget to explain tough words such as "refuge", the meaning of "his excellent word", etc.




I would still love to hear any ideas that you may have for teaching this song, especially the second verse! Anyone else having troubles?!