I am sure this idea was partly influenced by our interest in the Charlotte Mason method of schooling; studying hymns was a regular part of Charlotte Mason's schools. It is suggested that a child learn several hymns throughout the year, including the story behind them when possible.
Christmas hymns seemed like as good a place as any to start.
This is our second week on Away in a Manger. I'm planning on teaching all 3 verses. Dale is solid on the first stanza and pretty much has the second under his belt also. If we can get to the third one this week and work on the melody some, he'll have Away in a Manger.
I figure that leaves us time for multiple verses of one more song or the first verse only of two more before Christmas. I'm thinking we'll start Silent Night next and go from there.
Of course, we're singing lots of the traditional Christmas hymns, but only working on memorizing one at a time.
One way we've done this is to type up the lyrics in a large font, print them, and cut them into phrases. Then Dale can arrange them in the correct order. Or we deal them out to each other and play the next phrase out of our hand. Or scramble them up for each other and let the other person put it back in order.
He loves these games! First we did each of the first 2 verses separately, and then today we mixed them together. It amazes me how much Dale loves playing with those. And it works! 
You have the neatest ideas! And I have used the cut into phrases thing before, and you are so right. They love it, and it works!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a super job with Dale's homeschooling. I think I might enjoy those games myself! I am so very happy to hear the 'altered' shoe idea worked! Those shoes just looked too good to give up on. I am glad he can get some use out of them now. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! We are having fun with the advent calendar.
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