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[A new book, "A Gregorian Chant Coloring Book for Children and Adults" is in production]
Fun Techniques for Teaching Chant:
• Reading and Writing Chant for Children & Adults
• Singing Latin
• Reading Latin
• Chant Flash-Sheets
1. Reading and Writing Chant for Children & Adults
Materials Needed:
Roll of Newsprint - available free at most newspaper printers -These are the ends of rolls.
Markers - Washable, different colors - many - one marker per singer
To draw the staff:
4 - Black OR 1 Red, 1Green, 3 Black Markers [we use thin point ones for drawing the staff]
A Wooden Ruler as wide as your staff will be.
Rubber Bands
Process:
Prepare yourself to spend time sitting and crawling around on the floor.
Make sure that you do this on a floor that will not be marred with washable markers - rugs and carpets are not as good as tile or wood floors for this.
• Roll out the newsprint across the room.
Take the 4 black markers (or as we do in the coloring book, 1 red, 1 green and two black) and lay them across the ruler spaced evenly 3 inches apart. Hook the rubber bands around the ruler onto the markers to secure them in place. (we've also used those electrical wire tires to do the same thing).
This is a picture of a chalk holder for music staff writing...this show you how to orient the markers on the ruler:
1. Draw the staff lines across the newsprint.
2. Draw a clef.
3. Teach the children how to draw a Punctum.
Show them that neumes are drawn on or between the lines.
Put a dot where neumes should be drawn for "Twinkle", and let each of them draw a neume.
Begin singing and indicate each note as you lead them singing "Twinkle".
4. Indicate "Old MacDonald" in the same manner.
5. Let them draw a punctum wherever they wish with their marker.
Sing the notes they have drawn, pointing at the notes and walking (or crawling) with them up across the staff.
6. After they are comfortable drawing neumes and singing them (keep unrolling the paper for more staff space as needed) then have them write words under the staff and have them help you to decide which notes to write above them.
It encourages them to use their own markers to do this, and also if you refer to the notes with their names. "That's your note there, isn't it, Mary?" The different colors will help you keep track of who writes and identifies with each note.
Choose one of these sheets and hang it prominently in front of them. As you continue to teach them, refer it to show where notes are held when sung, teaching them the significance of the Punctum Mora first.
Start every session with time spent drawing chant. Each session teach a new neume or marking.
2 Singing Latin
Using Simple Italian Words & Phrases to Teach Pronunciation or TV ITALIAN!
Not begin truly aware of the Home-School movement and all the good things they are doing, I created a page of Italian phrases based upon things currently heard on TV to plant nice, round vowels in the children's choir mouths...so, when I said, ""Prego", like the spaghetti sauce." I was a bit surprised at the blank looks. And "Buon Giorno!", like the Pizza." also failed to ring a bell. That's when I discovered that many home-school families keep the TV turned off. I suppose I should retitle this page.
One good thing, the second week we rehearsed the associate pastor from Africa dropped in and they were able to greet him in Italian...
3 Understanding Latin
Choir School Dictionary
Text of the music for the 6 week choir school, involving children and adults, in Latin was copied, translated and made into a short dictionary and included in the music pack.
4 Chant Flash-Sheets
For Coloring and Testing