KidsPlay Bells Archives ~ ChimeWorks

Where Music Leaders Share and are Rewarded

All Creatures Great and Small – Lesson Plans about Animals using Handchimes

What better time of the year to introduce songs about our furry and feathered friends! At ChimeWorks, we have lesson plans that will surely delight your students as they sing and chime along to some new and some familiar tunes while learning how to harmonize a melody or follow the steps to early music reading.

ChimeWorks uses three teaching methods with the folk songs below to implement handchime use in the classroom or singing rehearsal. With icons, students will develop eye – hand coordination by initially using symbols or colors to introduce music literacy and gradually progressing to score reading. By using chords indicated by the teacher pointing to a chart, students can easily harmonize their singing. And finally, with ostinati lessons, harmonic patterns are taught by rote to harmonize the singing and develop more independence when playing.

All of the lessons are available for immediate purchase and digital download for pennies per student. Only one copy of the lesson is needed for teachers to bring effective music-making and success to the classroom. Browse our complete store here for other creative and successful lesson plans.

When using these lessons, be sure to check out Malmark’s colored bands to wrap on the handchimes which act as a valuable teaching aid when using colors.

Lessons using Icons

B-I-N-G-O

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2
Language: English
Origin: England

B-I-N-G-O is an English language folk song dating back to the late 1700s.

Baa, Baa Black Sheep

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2
Language: English
Origin: England

Baa, Baa Black Sheep is an English nursery rhymed dating back from 1731. Its original context is thought to be a complaint on the taxation of wool.

The Farmer in the Dell

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2
Language: English
Origin: Germany

The Farmer in The Dell is a nursery rhyme and children’s game. The song originated in Germany and was brought to North America in the late 19th century.

Old MacDonald Had a Farm

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2
Language: English
Origin: America

Old MacDonald Had A Farm dates to the early years of the 20th century.

Lessons using Chords

Six Little Ducks

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2
Chords: 2
Language: English
Origin: England

Six Little Ducks is an English language nursery rhyme and singing game.

Ev’ryone But Me

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2
Chords:3
Language: English
Origin: America

Ev’ryone But Me is an American folk song with roots in New England.

Go Tell Aunt Rhody

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Chords: 3
Language: English
Origin: France

Jean-Jacques Rousseau composed the original tune as a gavotte or dance in the mid-1700s. The tune later traveled through England, Germany to New England where the folk text was added. Countries around the world use the tune for various folk texts.

Old MacDonald

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2
Chords: 3
Language: English
Origin: America

Old MacDonald Had A Farm dates to the early years of the 20th century. The tune will be familiar and allow the students to focus on chiming.

Lessons using Ostinati

The Frogs

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2
Canon: Yes
Language: English
Origin: America

The Frogs is a traditional campfire song sung by Girl Scouts in North America.

Sweetly Sings the Donkey

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2
Canon: Yes
Language: English
Origin: England

Sweetly Sings the Donkey is a traditional song that children love to sing. Additional verses may be created by adding animals and their sounds.

Music Literacy in a Snap with Colors and Handchimes

A great start for any teacher would be to introduce music literacy to more students during this year. If you have handchimes at your disposal, teaching music reading with the help of colors couldn’t be simpler! At ChimeWorks, we have developed tools for teaching young children to develop eye-hand coordination using colors and symbols and then, systematically moving on to colored-coded notes on the staff and ultimately reading handchime/handbell notation.

We begin by using colors that are closely correlated to those used in Boomwhacker^® and KidsPlay^® systems. Therefore, one will be able to use our lesson plans with handchimes and/or Boomwhackers and KidsPlay bells to teach music literacy. Sensitivity is given to the use of colors alone due to the statistics that 1 in 12 males and 1 in 200 females suffer from color vision deficiency. Along with a select color for each pitch we have allocated a shape modeled closely to those used in shape-note singing.

Coupled, these symbols are referred to as Icons – non-traditional symbols used to notate music. They allow students to quickly “read” music without the worry of not knowing standard musical notation. They also allow students to quickly express themselves at an early-learner stage with known symbols rather than struggling with music notation. The use of icons develops eye-hand coordination rapidly allowing students to quickly adapt to numbers, pitch names, solfege and then standard music notation.

ChimeWorks has developed Colored Bands which can be wrapped around the handchime tube so that each student can identify a pitch with a color. In the case of vision deficiency, the shape may also be drawn on to the band. These bands are available for Malmark, Inc. and be found by clicking here. Colored bands can be an effective tool in the classroom when denoting pitches and chords. Using the ChimeWorks Icon Chart, each pitch is assigned a color. By wrapping the appropriate colored band around the shaft of the handchime tube at the base, you can effectively indicate which handchimes are assigned to pitches or chords.

Since icons are used with non-music readers, they can be utilized with younger children. These same children may not yet be literate and understand how to track from left to right. We suggest that great success will be met when the icon chart is presented through a computer-generated slideshow presentation or interactive whiteboard so that the teacher may point to each shape tracking for the students in tempo and rhythm.

Once the students master the melody using icons, they may continue with the Chroma-note^®(colored note head) score. Older students may meet success by just having the location of the pitch on the staff on the note designation label which is standard on all brands of handchimes and may be able to move quickly to the handchime score which is in standard music notation.

Icon lesson plans may be found here on the ChimeWorks website. By introducing these easy to teach lessons, your students will color their world with music through handchimes.

Hanukkah Lesson Plans using Handchimes

Looking for Hanukkah lesson plans using handchimes? Lessons of light and dedication are perfect to teach in December as many around the world commemorate Hanukkah. ChimeWorks has assembled lesson plans below that sing of Hanukkah, peace and joy!

But first, more about Hanukkah as explained by Chabad.org. It is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods.

The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and is thus named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. It is also spelled Hanukkah.

In the second century BC, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who tried to force the people of Israel to accept Greek culture and beliefs instead of mitzvah observance and belief in God. Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of God.

When they sought to light the Temple’s Menorah (the seven-branched candelabrum), they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity.

To commemorate and publicize these miracles, the sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah.

At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah lighting. The menorah holds nine flames, one of which is the shamash (“attendant”), which is used to kindle the other eight lights. On the first night, one flame is lit. On the second night, an additional flame is lit. By the eighth night of Hanukkah, all eight lights are kindled.

Special blessings are recited, often to a traditional melody, before the menorah is lit, and traditional songs are sung afterward.

A menorah is lit in every household (or even by each individual within the household) and placed in a doorway or window. The menorah is also lit in synagogues and other public places.

The lesson plans below are available for immediate purchase and digital download at $2.29 each:

Hanukkah using Icons

Hanukkah II using Chords

Good and Joyous using Ostinati

Greeting of Peace using Chords

Hava Nagila using Chords

Shalom Chaverim using Chords

Toembai using Chords

Toembai II using Ostinati

Peace & Harmony in the Classroom and World

It’s always good to incorporate life lessons into our music. During the past weeks, we have witnessed students from around the globe become organizers of change. They have been using their voices to condemn policy, violence, social injustice and hatred to name a few. These leaders were formed in their homes, communities, centers of faith and in their classrooms. Through lessons in the music classroom, we can also share in the social development of our children.

At ChimeWorks, we offer the lessons below in the theme of peace. They combine a great text and tune with easy-to-teach harmonization which will work well in the classroom or concert stage. All are available for immediate purchase and digital download at the cost of $2.29 each – just pennies per student – in our “Handchimes in the Classroom & Rehearsal” store.

Lessons Using Chords to Harmonize Singing

Dona Nobis Pacem

Use: Sacred, Secular
Level: 3 – 6
Canon: Yes
Language: Latin
Origin: Europe

Dona Nobis Pacem is a traditional song in round or canon form. The text translates to Grant Us Peace and is taken from the Latin mass. While the source of this canon is unknown, it is believed to date from the 16th century.

Greeting of Peace

Use: Sacred, Secular
Level: 3 – 6
Chords: 5
Language: English, Hebrew
Origin: Israel

Hevenu Shalom A’leychem is a traditional Jewish greeting wishing the goodness of a peace-filled life.

Peace Like a River

Use: Sacred, Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Chords: 3
Language: English
Origin: African American Spiritual

Peace Like A River is an African American Spiritual. The first three items of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22) are love, joy, and peace. This spiritual compares the peace of God to a placidly flowing river, the joy of Christ to a merrily bubbling fountain, and the love of God to a deep, wide ocean.

Shalom Chaverim

Use: Sacred, Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Chords: 3
Canon:Y es
Language: English, Hebrew
Origin: Israel

Meaning farewell, good friends, Shalom Chaverim is a traditional song sung at parting. It may be sung in English or Hebrew. It may be used as a three-part canon (round). It may be used for welcoming guests or in teaching friendship.

Lessons Using Ostinati Taught by Rote to Harmonize Singing

Good and Joyous

Use: Sacred, Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Canon: Yes
Language: English, Hebrew
Origin: Israel

Good and Joyous is a traditional Hebrew song usually sung in canon (round) form. It is based on Psalm 133. In the text, the word people may be used in place of brothers.

Happy Days

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Canon: Yes
Language: English
Origin: America

Happy Days is a four-part canon that has been sung for generations. Its origin is unknown.

Make New Friends

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Canon: Yes
Language: English
Origin: America

Make New Friends is a traditional campfire song sung by Girl Scouts in North America.

Celebrate Music

March is Music in Our Schools Month. It’s the time that we demonstrate the powerful effect of music in the lives of our students. What better way to mark this month then to sing and ring about our art. Children will remember the songs that we teach them throughout their lives. Be it a catchy tune, silly lyrics or an engaging movement, the music that we teach will impact our students in different ways, but the end results are the same – lifelong memories.

As teachers of music, we hope to instill an appreciation, love or passion for music into our students. We do this best by actively involving them in the music-making process allowing them to be creative as they go and encouraging them to connect their experiences to the world around them. We also know that music will stimulate the intellectual, emotional, spiritual and social growth of our students affecting their lives in so many ways.

We balance our choice of lessons and repertoire to broaden our students – classical, folk, world and nonsense songs fill our teaching space – all to provide our students with a varying wealth of repertoire. Along with our singing, we introduce drums and other percussion, recorders, Orff instruments, ukuleles, Boomwhackers^®, KidsPlay^® bells and handchimes all in effort for our students to find their voice. In the end, our hope is for well-rounded young musicians leading to accomplished adults who are kinder, gentler and welcoming.

How often do we stop and sing about it? Music, that is. During this month, we have an opportunity to sum up all that we offer with songs that praise our beloved art. Words that express how wonderful music is that our students will remember for a lifetime.

Share the joy of music with some of the following ChimeWorks lesson plans that will allow your students to sing and ring about it! All of the lesson are available for immediate purchase and digital download. Once copy at $2.29 will bring the gift of music to all of your classes. Click the title of each lesson to find it in the store.

Merrily, Merrily Greet The Morn

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Type: Ostinati
Canon: Yes
Topic: Music, Nature
Language: English
Origin: England

Merrily, Merrily Greet The Morn is an English Folk song published in 1917 in the book, 55 Songs and Choruses for Community Singing. The song’s words and horn-like music represent hunting scenes in England.

Music Alone Shall Live

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Type: Chords
Chords: 3
Topic: Music
Language:English
Origin: Germany

Music Alone Shall Live is a German folk song in three-art round or canon form

O Music, Sweet Music

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Type: Chords
Chords: 2
Canon: Yes
Topic: Music
Language: English
Origin: America

The three-part round or canon, O Music, Sweet Music, is attributed to Lowell Mason, an American hymn writer. This piece uses two chords and is a wonderful introduction into chiming and singing together.

Sing Together

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Type: Ostinati
Canon: Yes
Topic: General, Music
Language: English
Origin: Unknown

Sing Together is a folk song of unknown origin. It is a three-part canon or round.

Viva La Musica

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Type: Ostinati
Canon: Yes
Topic: Classical, Music
Language: Italian
Origin: Germany

Viva La Musica was written in the17th century by German composer, Michael Praetorius. The Italian text translates to long live music!

A Ringing Salute to the Presidents

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 22^nd, 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:

America

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.

America The Beautiful

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:

The Star-Spangled Banner

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.

America The Beautiful

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.

Sing & Ring about Love & Friendship

Valentine’s Day is not just about cupid and romance. It brings the opportunity to sing about the values of friendship. At ChimeWorks, we have lesson plans to share that you will be able to use over the coming weeks to not only celebrate love but also, teach of the importance of peer interactions and relationships.

A Tisket, A Tasket

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2
Type: Icons
Language: English
Origin: America

A Tisket, A Tasket was first noted in 1879. It was recorded by Ella Fitzgerald in 1938.

Scarborough Fair

Use: Secular
Level: 3 – 6
Type: Chords
Chords: 5
Language: English
Origin: England

Scarborough Fair is and English folk song. Known as a ballad, it tells of a fair in the town of Scarborough in York.

Happy Days

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Type: Ostinati
Canon: Yes
Language: English
Origin: America

Happy Days is a four-part canon that has been sung for generations. Its origin is unknown.

Skip To My Lou

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2
Type: Icons
Language: English
Origin: America

Skip To My Lou is a 19th century American folk song and party game. During Puritan times, the fiddle was seen as evil therefore, young people created songs which involved clapping and movement rather than dancing. “Lou” is Scottish for “love”. Use this lesson plan to teach eye-hand coordination as a stepping stone to music literacy.

Make New Friends

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Type: Ostinati
Canon: Yes
Language: English
Origin: America

Make New Friends is a traditional campfire song sung by Girl Scouts in North America.

Shalom Chaverim

Use: Sacred, Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Type: Chords
Chords: 3
Canon: Yes
Language: English, Hebrew
Origin: Israel

Meaning farewell, good friends, Shalom Chaverim is a traditional song sung at parting. It may be sung in English or Hebrew. It may be used as a three-part canon (round). It may be used for welcoming guests or in teaching friendship.

Come, Follow

Use: Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Type: Chords
Chords: 3
Canon: Yes
Language: English
Origin: England

Come Follow is an English folk song dating from the late 17th century. It was written by John Hilton in 1652. It is a three part round or canon.

Good and Joyous

Use: Sacred, Secular
Level: K – 2, 3 – 6
Type: Ostinati
Canon: Yes
Language: English, Hebrew
Origin: Israel

Good and Joyous is a traditional Hebrew song usually sung in canon (round) form. It is based on Psalm 133. In the text, the word people may be used in place of brothers.

Handchimes and Black History Month

February 1^st is just around the corner and the observance of Black History Month arrives with it. To celebrate and educate about this rich cultural heritage, a great resource can be found in the African American Spiritual, perhaps the most significant type of American folk song. By teaching the history, text and tunes of Spirituals we can impart a deeper understanding and awareness of this part of American culture.

Understanding the history of Spirituals and the different types will help those singing and listening have a greater understanding. An informative synopsis produced by the Library of Congress offers a deeper look into this art form and can be found in the article, African American Spirituals. We suggest that a brief history and explanation of the type of Spiritual being performed be shared with your students and audience to offer them a greater connection to what is being presented.

Using handchimes, we can introduce Spirituals in a number of ways. Some of these resources include singing and some do not; either way, we recommend that the text and melody be taught by rote first to insure a deeper understanding of the song and its original use before introducing the handchime parts or score.

The resources below can be found on the ChimeWorks website and are available for immediate purchase and digital download.

Handchimes in the General Music Classroom or Choral Rehearsal

Kum-Bah-Yah (Chords)

Use:Sacred
Level:K – 2, 3 – 6
Chords:3
Topic:Praise, Spiritual
Language:English
Origin:African American Spiritual

Students will harmonize the song by ringing chords when indicated either by chart or color.

Kum-Bah-Yah (Ring & Sing)

Use:Sacred
Level:3 – 6
Topic:Praise, Spiritual
Language:English
Origin:African American Spiritual

Students will harmonize the song by reading the text and ringing when a word is outlined and damping when it is underscored.

Come by here is the translation of Kum-bah-yah. This song has been passed down by mouth and has become a favorite of camps and meeting places. Originally, it was sung by those in need.

Michael, Row the Boat Ashore

Use:Sacred, Secular
Level:K – 2, 3 – 6
Type:Chords
Chords:3
Topic:Spiritual
Language:English
Origin:America

Students will harmonize the song by ringing chords when indicated either by chart or color.

Michael Row the Boat Ashore is an African American Spiritual first noted during the Civil War.

Peace Like a River

Use:Sacred, Secular
Level:K – 2, 3 – 6
Type:Chords
Chords:3
Topic:Peace, Spiritual
Language:English
Origin:African American Spiritual

Students will harmonize the song by ringing chords when indicated either by chart or color.

Peace Like A River is an African American Spiritual. The first three items of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22) are love, joy, and peace. This spiritual compares the peace of God to a placidly flowing river, the joy of Christ to a merrily bubbling fountain, and the love of God to a deep, wide ocean.

From Singing to Ringing

Author/Composer/Arranger:Karen Thompson
Use:Sacred
Octaves Used – Select One:2 – 3 Octaves
Level:Level 1, Level 2
Topic:General
Origin:African American Spiritual
Use Caution with Techniques and/or Tempo:Caution

From Singing to Ringing is a valuable resource for teaching and reinforcing some basic, yet essential, music skills needed to ring handbells. Keeping a steady beat and visually tracking music from beat to beat (and measure to measure) are important skills that handbell ringers must accomplish to be successful. The conventional approach to aid in learning these two skills in a handchime/handbell setting is counting aloud by director and/or ringers. From Singing to Ringing serves the same purpose as counting aloud, but in a more enjoyable and engaging way. Additionally, rhythms are easier to perform and internalize when sung. If they can sing it, they can ring it!

For the Handchime Ensemble

Five Spirituals

Author/Composer/Arranger:Bill Ingram
Use:Sacred
Octaves Used – Select One:2 – 3 Octaves
Level:Level 1, Level 1+
Topic:General
Origin:African American Spiritual
Use Caution with Techniques and/or Tempo:Caution

Bill Ingram continues the popular level one series with five attractive spirituals. One or two move into the level 1+ rating, offering good teaching opportunities while providing satisfying ringing experiences. These will be useful for school, church or concert venues.

Morning Songs

Author/Composer/Arranger:Bill Ingram
Use:Sacred
Octaves Used – Select One:2 – 3 Octaves
Level:Level 1
Topic:General
Origin:African American Spiritual, Ireland

Here is a set of three familiar melodies that share the theme of morning. The titles included are “Jesus in the Morning,” “Morning Has Broken,” and “My Lord, What a Morning.” The graduating levels of difficulty of the pieces make this set an ideal selection for the developing ensemble. Since the melodies are familiar, these are excellent teaching pieces to help ringers identify them on the page and work to bring them out when ringing. Because of their versatility, you may find yourself pulling these out every year.

Spirituals for Twelve Bells

Author/Composer/Arranger:Bill Ingram
Use:Sacred, Secular
Octaves Used – Select One:12 Note, Small Ensemble
Level:Level 2, Level 2+
Topic:General, Spiritual
Origin:African American Spiritual

As the volume of literature for 12 bells or chimes in F continues to grow, this collection of spirituals will be a welcome addition. The spirituals, listed below, range from lively and bold to reflective and meditative. With no bell changes (thus no tables needed) there will be many opportunities to use these arrangements. Contents: Lord, I Want to Be a Christian; Steal Away; Great Day!; There Is a Balm in Gilead; Every Time I Feel the Spirit

Strike a Chord and Join the Chorus – Easy Christmas Lesson Plans

Bring some cheer to your class, singing choir rehearsal or Christmas party with these simple carol activities from ChimeWorks. Using chords or ostinati with handchimes or handbells, our easy to learn harmonizations will put your musicians in the Christmas spirit and have them wanting more throughout the year!

Jingle Bells II

Surprise your pre-readers by working on eye-hand coordination with icons and delight them when they ring their beloved carol, Jingle Bells!

Pat-a-pan

Ostinati create a delightful accompaniment to Pat-a-pan, a French Christmas carol written by Bernard de la Monnoye (1641-1728) who collected folk songs of Burgundian dialect. The carol tells of the birth of Christ from the perspective of the shepherds with the text reflecting the sound of the drum – pat-a-pan and of the flute – tu-re-lu-re-lu.

Sing Noel!

Go global and celebrate the season with this rhythmic Christmas carol from Liberia using only three chords for harmonic foundation.

Joy to the World

A great addition for any social activity during the holidays – distribute the song sheets with handchimes or handbells. When a word is boxed, the pitch is rung and when it is underscored, the pitch is damped. Sing in perfect harmony!

Christmas Round

Ostinati make this simple, two-part canon sparkle! God Bless All is a Christmas canon that has been sung throughout the centuries. It’s origin is unknown.

Jingle Bells

Three chords chime in Jingle Bells, one of the best known and loved American Christmas carol written in the 1850’s in Massachusetts.

Christ Was Born on Christmas Day

Using four chords, harmonize the tune, RESONET IN LAUDIBUS, which dates from the 14th century and was used throughout Europe through the centuries. The translation below by John Mason Neale is based upon Piae Cantiones, the Swedish collection published in 1582. Christus natus hodie translates to Christ is born today!

Good King Wenceslas

Good King Wenceslas’ text comes from Jon Mason Neale written in 1853. It is combined with a 13th century tune, Tempus Adest Floridum, a spring-time tune taken from the collection, Piae Cantiones. The text tells the story of a Czech king, St. Wenceslas, who travels on a winter journey on the feast of St. Stephen to give alms to the poor. Four chords harmonize this carol beautifully.

Angels We Have Heard on High

Perfect for older students and adults, this lesson uses five chords to harmonize the melody. Angels We Have Heard On High is a French Christmas carol by an unknown text writer and is based on the Gospel of Luke. It was translated into English during the mid-19th century and gained popularity. The tune, GLORIA, was arranged by Edward Shippen Barnes.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Using seven chords, harmonize this holiday favorite! We Wish You A Merry Christmas is a traditional English carol celebrating the tradition of giving carolers rewards for singing at one’s door.

The above lesson plans are on the ChimeWorks website and available at the low price of $2.29 for immediate purchase and digital download. If you’re not already a member, log on for your FREE two-week trial today!

Ode to Music

Children will remember the songs that we teach them throughout their lives. Be it a catchy tune, silly lyrics or an engaging movement, the music that we teach will impact our students in different ways but the end results are the same – lifelong memories.

As teachers of music, we hope to instill an appreciation, love or passion for music into our students. We do this best by actively involving them in the music-making process allowing them to be creative as they go and encouraging them to connect their experiences to the world around them. We also know that music will stimulate the intellectual, emotional, spiritual and social growth of our students affecting their lives in so many ways.

We balance our choice of lessons and repertoire to broaden our students – classical, folk, world and nonsense songs fill our teaching space – all to provide our students with a varying wealth of repertoire. Along with our singing, we introduce drums and other percussion, recorders, Orff instruments, ukuleles, Boomwhackers®, KidsPlay® bells and handchimes all in effort for our students to find their voice. In the end, our hope is for well-rounded young musicians leading to accomplished adults who are kinder, gentler and welcoming.

How often do we stop and sing about it? Music, that is. As we close the school year, we have an opportunity to sum up all that we offer with songs that praise our beloved art. Words that express how wonderful music is that our students will remember for a lifetime.