📖

Climbing with Zacchaeus

Up and Down Melodies

Day 39of 180
Week 8of 36
15Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand musical direction (up and down movements)

2

Act out the story of Zacchaeus using body movements

3

Connect musical concepts to biblical narrative

📖 Scripture Connection

Luke 19:4

“He ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was going to pass that way.”

— Luke 19:4 (WEB)

Demonstrates physical movement of climbing, perfect for teaching musical up and down concepts

📦 Materials Needed

  • Stuffed animal
  • Picture cards with up/down arrows
  • BibleMouse Zacchaeus song recording
  • Small chair or stool
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

Recall yesterday's Zacchaeus song and review climbing motions

💭 Review Question: Can you show me how Zacchaeus climbed the tree?
2Teaching (5 min)

Explain how music can move up and down like Zacchaeus climbing

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Music can go up like Zacchaeus climbing the tree
  • Music can go down like Zacchaeus coming back down
  • Our bodies can show how music moves
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What does 'up' sound like?
  • How can we show music going down?
3Activity: Zacchaeus Climbing Song (6 min)
movement

Act out the Zacchaeus song with climbing motions matching musical direction

📝 Instructions:
  1. Listen to BibleMouse Zacchaeus song
  2. When music goes up, reach higher
  3. When music goes down, lower your hands
  4. Use small chair to pretend climbing
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Use hand motions only without chair

Challenge: Add rhythmic stepping while moving hands

4Closing (3 min)

Review musical directions and Zacchaeus story

📝 Review Questions:
  • Did the music go up or down?
  • What did Zacchaeus do in the story?

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll play musical notes about Zacchaeus on bells

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Young children learn musical concepts through physical movement

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Demonstrate movements enthusiastically
  • Allow child to explore movements naturally
  • Praise effort over perfect execution
🤔 Common Struggles:

Staying focused for entire song, understanding abstract musical concepts

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Attempts to match movement to musical direction

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Draw pictures of Zacchaeus climbing
  • Create up and down movement games
  • Use BibleMouse Printables Library for additional activities

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 40 →Back to Music