"Wonderfully Made"
By Angie Killian & Katie D. Higley
Watch the video HERE
This is a great activity that can be used with older children, younger children, and mixed groups.
How to use this activity:
Prep: Print out one of the files. (One has words, one doesn't. I prefer to teach children without words so they focus on the movement and let the words settle in their hearts instead of focusing on reading the words.) Attach the pages to the board in order. Make sure each teacher has enough ribbon wands for everyone in their class (and themselves!) Memorize the pattern "backwards" (so you match the board when your back is turned away from it.) This will help you feel confident doing the patterns without watching the board.
1) Before you give the children their wand, ask the children to follow your hands as you demonstrate the pattern while singing the chorus. Yell out "freeze!" once or twice to allow everyone to check to see if they are mirroring your movements.2) Commend the children on their excellent following skills. "Here are the rules: a) follow my wand and b) do not hit your neighbor." Ask the teachers to pass out the wands before you count down from 10.
3) As children start getting their wands, they are going to want to use them. I use this time to lead them in some fun movement patterns and get them used to following instructions. "Wave it up high... and freeze! Good freezing! Make a stream on the floor... and freeze! Wow! You are amazing! Three snaps... and freeze. Wonderful! Let's sing."
4) Sing the chorus with the ribbon wand movements. Freeze a few times to help keep everyone together. Sing it again.
5) Ask the children what words you say every time they make a heart. Sing the song to "check their answers." Ask them to sing just those words with you as you sing the entire chorus again. How many times do you sing it? Check their answers while singing through again.
6) Ask the children what movement they do when you sing the word "mind." Sing the song to check their answers. Ask them what word you sing that rhymes with "mind." What movement do they do on that word? Sing again to check their work.
7) Bear a 10-second testimony relating to the chorus. Lead the children in a quick movement mirroring exercise like you did before, then calmly say that they have 10 seconds to pass their wands back to their teacher. I count down to keep everyone on task and quickly move on to the next song/activity.
Why do I love this activity?
- You sing the chorus A LOT
- The kids need to move to learn, and they LOVE getting to hold something in their hands
- Pointing out specific words and challenging them to sing those words allows them to have a "successful" singing experience with the song. These are really great to build confidence for them to start singing all of the chorus.