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The Praise Factory is a six year, multi-age children’s systematic theology curriculum for elementary school children. It is comprised of 104 key biblical truths -- called "Big Ideas"-- divided into 16 units, common to a systematic theology. These biblical truths expand the children’s understanding of the same 12 big questions and answers used in the two preschool curriculums and add four additional big questions and answers. Within each 3-week Big Idea, there is an Old Testament, New Testament and Church History/Missions story presented. Each week’s curriculum includes 8 different activities to reinforce the Big Idea concept and story. |
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There are two songs groups: one Scripture Verse Song Group, one Hymns Group Songs Groups Objectives The goal of the Songs Groups is to help the children meditate more deeply on the Big Idea by learning a hymn or a Scripture song related to it; to expose the children to a variety of well-known hymns, to help them understand and retain the Scripture; and, to make the songs more fun and memorable by learning sign language for key words. It is not so much about music, singing and signing as it is about understanding the words of the songs. No special singing or music talent is needed-only an ability to read, to think and to learn a few signs. Also, please note that even though the signs are all American Sign Language, the use of them is not as would be taught to sign to the deaf, but as simply an enjoyable, kinesthetic aid to help the children enjoy and remember the song. Songs Groups' Snack-time Discussion Time Emphasis The Song Groups' snack and discussion time is spent in a general discussion of the story and Big Idea. Feel free to use the Big Idea and Story Review Discussion Sheets included in the curriculum for discussion ideas. see samples of discussion resources Big Idea #1 Big Idea Concept Discussion Questions pdf Big Idea #1 Story Review Discussion Questions pdf Note on ACTS PRAYER: You may want to have the children wait and pray the ACTS prayer at the end of your session. This allows you to spend more of their attention span on the discussion questions at the beginning of small group time, allows them to burn off more energy as they sing and sign the song, and then be ready to focus their attention on the ACTS prayer. The Songs and Sign Language Resources Each Big Idea cycle includes a hymn portion (usually just a verse) that reflects the Big Idea; as well as the Scripture verse put to song. All songs and related sign language signs are included in the general resources of each Big Idea, as well as in The Praise Factory Song Book and Praise Factory Sign Language Book. The music to each song is included in The Praise Factory Hymns and Scripture Songs CDs, volumes 1-5. A Note on the Creation and Use of Praise Factory Sign Language: The sign language used in this curriculum is based on American Sign Language as closely as possible. People trained in American Sign Language will no doubt notice some differences in the use of these signs in this curriculum from their use in the communication with the deaf. Please realize that the signs are being used primarily as a kinesthetic, teaching tool that helps the children learn and remember the words to the songs, not as a course in how to properly sign the song for deaf people. Introducing and Discussing a Song Introduce the song and let the children listen to it several times. Display the words on a white board, flip chart or overhead projector and read through them slowly. Use the discussion sheet provided for each song to help the children understand the key terms of the song, its connection to the Big Idea and story, and life applications. Don't feel you have to use all the questions. The point is not to get through the list, but to have a good discussion. Some teachers like to choose particular questions, write up each of them on an index card, numbered in sequence, and hide them around the room. A child is asked to get up, find the right numbered question, and read it to the class. The teacher then leads the discussion for that question. A songs game is also suggested for making song and signs learning more fun. The directions for this game are found in Appendix F: Songs Resources. End your discussion time by filling in the "Song Intro Sheet, found in Appendix G, Reproducible Masters in the Teacher's Binder, which you will use to introduce your group's song in Closing Large Group Time. Song Versions All of the songs used in Praise Factory are included on the music CDs, ordered by unit. Many of the Scripture Songs and some of the hymns have been recorded in a short and full version. This allows you to introduce longer Scripture Songs and hymns gradually. With the youngest children, you may decide only to use the short version. Sometimes an alternate Scripture Song is also included. You can use this in addition to the other song or as a substitute. Singing and Signing the Song After discussing the song's meaning, introduce the signs for the key words you have chosen. Read through the song slowly as you do the signs. Practice the song through several times, adding the music as your group gets confident of the signs. Extra signs can be added if time allows. Extra Fun: Song Games Sometimes a game helps the children learn the words and signs better. A simple musical game is suggested for each week of curriculum. Click below to for samples of Songs Groups Resources Big Idea #1 Scripture Song Resources pdf Listen to Big Idea #1 Scripture Song mp3 Big Idea #1 Hymn Resources pdf Listen to Big Idea #1 Hymn mp3 Sample Song Game pdf Sample Session from CHBC: Hymns Group
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Scripture And Hymns Song Groups