Play a ringing percussion instrument: the triangle.
Sing an African-American spiritual.
Materials
Triangles
Optional: colorful scarves
Instructions
Listen to this song. Can you sway to the steady beat? Can you hear a word that is sung more than the rest? (shine)
Whenever you sing the word shine, wave your hand at a friend. Try to wave at a different person each time it is sung.
Now try playing a triangle whenever the word shine is sung. If needed, review how a triangle is played. (The triangle has three sides but one is left open at the corner to vibrate the sound. The triangle is played with a striker which is a small wand to tap it gently. The triangle is held by a loop of string or plastic so that your fingers don't stop the vibrating sound. Be careful: if you hit the triangle too hard, it will spin and you will miss playing part of the song!)
Sing this song together. Pretend one finger is your little light, like a candle on your birthday cake. Can you hold your light up as you sing this song?
This song has two parts: a call and a response. It is like having a conservation in music.
Choose a small group to sing the call: This little light of mine. Everyone else will sing the response: I'm gonna let it shine.
Call: Let it shine all around the world. Response: I'm gonna let it shine.
Call: Won't let anyone (whooh) it out! Response: I'm gonna let it shine.
Call: This little light of mine . Response: I'm gonna let it shine.
Give different groups a chance to sing the call: kids wearing blue, kids with pigtails, kids with shoelaces, kids with buttons, etc.
Perform this song with a Call group, a Response group, and a group of triangle percussionists ready to play on the word shine. Optional: add colorful scarves for the Response group to wave on the word shine for a colorful exclamation.
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