Music and Christian Education A brief highlight of best practices for implementing music into your Christian Education classroom Ashley & Daniel Eural

Focus Scripture: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the lord. Colossians 3:16

Music & Christian Education Outline: Music Routines Music Listening Song Writing Movement Props & Instruments Practice Review/ Questions Session Goal: Teachers will be able to grasp basic knowledge of Music Practices with enough confidence to infuse them into classroom settings.

To get started, we will explore some best preparation practices for Music Educators. Warm Up - Deep relaxing Breaths -Stretching/ Movement -Consistent Starting Routine Set the Mood and Pacing for your Lesson Prime student interest Use your voice and body to set the mood and pace Model using varying song-like vocal registers to communicate

Music Listening Teacher Prep Listen Reflect Respond Choose a song with messaging that aligns to the lesson or Unit Use visuals, prior knowledge, personal testimony to create context Prepare the chorus or memorable part of the song you can share Distribute response worksheets/ journals, paper, pencils Encourage students share their ideas and interpretations of the material Listen Listen Silently Reflect Think about the messaging, implications, and scriptural context of the song. Respond Complete listening worksheet Share out responses

Song Writing Teacher Facing Use memory verses/key themes to create songs using simple melodies and rhythmic chants Allow students to use rhythms/ beats to retain information ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO USE MUSIC AND SELF EXPRESSION AS WORSHIP TO THE LORD Student Led Provide parameters for ‘song responses’ similar to Music Listening “Oh Sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Psalm 96:1

My Father’s Plans for Me Promise to Give me Peace So When the World Says No I Know I Still Have Hope His Thoughts Toward Me are Good His Word says I Prosper For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord. Thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11

Movement Movement is one of the basic responses to Music. Inviting students to march, wave their arms, bend, or make up their own expressive movement helps them to connect with their own thoughts and interact with others.

Props & Instruments Using manipulatives is an excellent way to peak student interest and engagement. Simple musical instruments and props can be used to enhance student expression, provide context, and bring text to life. “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with loud cymbals.” Psalm 150: 4-5

In your group: -Take 5 minutes, to create a melody or chant using the scripture you’ve been provided. -Be Creative! -Be prepared to share whole group!

Music in the Biblical Context: -Magnify God’s Presence -Illuminate God’s Word

QUESTIONS?