📖

Hand Signs for Singing

Pentatonic Scale Introduction

Day 12of 180
Week 3of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Identify and demonstrate Curwen hand signs for do, re, mi, sol, and la

2

Understand how hand signs help visualize musical pitch

3

Develop joy in musical expression as a form of worship

📖 Scripture Connection

Psalm 95:1

“Oh come, let's sing to Yahweh. Let's shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation!”

— Psalm 95:1 (WEB)

Demonstrates how music can be a form of praise and celebration

📦 Materials Needed

  • Solfege hand signs chart
  • Pentatonic bells
  • Staff paper
  • Colored pencils
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

Recall yesterday's lesson about pentatonic scale notes

💭 Review Question: What five special notes did we learn about yesterday?
2Teaching (8 min)

Introduce Curwen hand signs as a way to 'see' music with our hands

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Each hand position represents a different note in the scale
  • Hand signs help us understand how notes move up and down
  • Musicians use these signs to practice pitch and melody
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How do you think hand signs might help us sing better?
  • What makes music special to you?
3Activity: Singing with Hand Signs (10 min)
demonstration

Practice Curwen hand signs for do, re, mi, sol, and la

📝 Instructions:
  1. Watch parent demonstrate each hand sign
  2. Mirror the hand signs while singing the corresponding note
  3. Play a simple pentatonic melody on bells while using hand signs
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use visual chart to help remember hand positions

Challenge: Create a short melody using hand signs without bells

4Closing (3 min)

Review hand signs and discuss how music can praise God

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did we learn about hand signs today?
  • How can we use music to worship?

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll practice echoing pentatonic patterns

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Curwen hand signs help children visualize musical pitch

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Be patient and make it fun
  • Demonstrate signs slowly and clearly
  • Encourage child's attempts, even if not perfect
🤔 Common Struggles:

Coordinating hand movements with singing

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's ability to match hand position with correct note

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a worship song using hand signs
  • Draw pictures of hand signs in music journal

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 13 →Back to Music