Starting Off

"Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.  Red and yellow, black and white, they're all precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world!"  Everyone who has ever stepped inside a church at some point in their life has heard this song.  In fact, this is one of the songs that the children of FUMC will be singing in October, a few Sunday's before their actual performance in November.  They're not only learning this song in English, but in German and Spanish as well.

The past few weeks during Wednesday and Sunday night meetings, me and Bailey (the full time children's music leader) have been working with the children, teaching them songs that coincide with the lessons they learn in Bible study, and what they will be singing for the church in November.  We've not only taught them "Jesus Loves the Little Children" in multiple different languages, but we have made up motions similar to sign language that will go with this song and the rest of the ones they're learning.  The motions are very simple and easy for the kids to learn, and also help the kids learn how the songs go.  The method of teaching we've been using is rote, where either me or Bailey stand in front of the children, leading them through the songs with motions, while the power point is up for the words.

Bailey and the 5th/6th grade group during some down time.

All of the children learn rather fast!  I've been quite surprised at how fast they pick up all of the songs and motions.  Some of the other songs they're learning are; "Thankful", "You, You, You", "Get Down", "Praise You in This Storm", and the list goes on.  There are around ten songs they will be learning over the next month in preparation of their Thanksgiving performance.  The theme of the performance isn't set in stone yet, but the main idea we're focusing on is being thankful for what God has given us.

Here is a record of hours I've worked with the kids, worked on the music, and collaborated with others so far.

Date	Time In	Time Out	Today's Hours	Cumulative Hours	Work Performed
9/4/2013	5:00	7:00	2	2	Teaching at church
9/8/2013	5:00	7:00	2	4	Teaching at church
9/15/2013	5:00	7:00	2	6	Teaching at church
9/25/2013	5:00	7:00	2	8	Teaching at church
9/26/2013	7:30	8:00	0.5	8.5	Working w/music-home
9/26/2013	1:45	2:45	1	9.5	Working w/music-home
10/2/2013	2:45	3:45	1	10.5	Working w/Kristen-motions
10/2/2013	5:00	7:00	2	12.5	Teaching at church
10/3/2013	8:00	9:00	1	13.5	Working w/music-home