ChimeWorks is your source musical lesson plans using handchimes and we have some to share for next week!
President’s Day is right around the corner – the American holiday celebrated each year on the third Monday of February. Originally established in 1885 to celebrate President George Washington’s birthday, it was celebrated on February 22nd, his birthdate. It was moved in 1971 with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers.
With the shift in date, many believed that the intent was to honor Washington and Abraham Lincoln and quickly, the holiday was renamed President’s Day to honor not only Washington and Lincoln but all U.S. Presidents, past and present.
There’s no better way to honor American leaders than by singing about our country which they helped to build and make stronger. We honor our country by singing about the values of it which we hold so dear.
At ChimeWorks, we have the following lesson plans to help you honor our leaders and country through singing and ringing. All of the lesson plans are available for immediate purchase and digital download for $2.29 each. Click on each title to take you to the store and let freedom ring!
Lesson Plans using chords to harmonize the melody by chord chart:
- Use: Sacred, Secular
- Level: 3 – 6
- Chords: 4
My Country, ‘Tis of Thee, also known as America, is an American patriotic song. The lyrics were written by Samuel Francis Smith and the melody used is the same as that of the national anthem of the United Kingdom, God Save the Queen, by Thomas Arne. The song served as one of the national anthems of the United States before the adoption of The Star-Spangled Banner as the official anthem in 1931.
- Use: Sacred, Secular
- Level: 3 – 6
- Chords: 4
America The Beautiful is an American patriotic song dating from the late 19th century. The poem was originally written and entitled “Pike’s Peak” and the tune, “Materna” was written for an alternate text. The two were combined and published in 1910.
Lesson plans using the Sing & Ring method – harmonize through song sheets, ring when the word is outlined and damp when it is underscored:
- Use: Sacred, Secular
- Level: 3 – 6
Written in September 1814, The Star-Spangled Banner, was inspired by Francis Scott Key’s witness of the American flag still waving after the battle at Fort McHenry in Baltimore. It was set to music composed in 1775. The song became our National Anthem in 1931.
- Use: Sacred, Secular
- Level: 3- 6
America The Beautiful is an American patriotic song dating from the late 19th century. The poem was originally written and entitled “Pike’s Peak” and the tune, “Materna” was written for an alternate text. The two were combined and published in 1910.