📖

Playing Up the Tree

Up and Down Melodies

Day 40of 180
Week 8of 36
15Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Recognize and play ascending musical patterns

2

Connect melody movement to the story of Zacchaeus

3

Develop listening and coordination skills

📖 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)

Illustrates the upward movement of Zacchaeus climbing the tree, connecting to our musical exploration of ascending patterns

📦 Materials Needed

  • Xylophone or bells
  • Picture cards with up/down arrows
  • BibleMouse Resource Guide: Grade PK4 Music
  • Small stuffed animal
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

Recap Zacchaeus story and demonstrate tree-climbing motion

💭 Review Question: Who remembers how Zacchaeus saw Jesus?
2Teaching (5 min)

Introduce ascending musical patterns using tree-climbing metaphor

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Just like Zacchaeus went up the tree, our music can go up too!
  • Show how bells or xylophone can play notes that climb higher
  • Demonstrate the difference between up and down sounds
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Can you show me how Zacchaeus climbed up?
  • What sounds go up like climbing a tree?
3Activity: Zacchaeus Melody Climb (6 min)
hands-on

Play ascending patterns on xylophone while singing about Zacchaeus

📝 Instructions:
  1. Hold xylophone or bells ready
  2. Sing 'Zacchaeus was a wee little man' while playing notes that go up
  3. Use picture cards to show up/down movement
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Parent helps child strike ascending notes

Challenge: Child tries to play melody independently

4Closing (3 min)

Review musical patterns and Zacchaeus story

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did we learn about music today?
  • How did Zacchaeus climb the tree?

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll play a fun song memory game!

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Musical patterns help develop auditory processing and coordination

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Be patient and make it fun
  • Use lots of praise and encouragement
  • Let child explore the instrument
🤔 Common Struggles:

Keeping a steady rhythm or understanding up/down concept

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's ability to follow simple musical instructions

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Draw a picture of Zacchaeus in the tree
  • Create up and down movements while singing

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 41 →Back to Music