Week of December 5th, 2011

"I Saw Three Ships"

Today we learned the traditional English carol, "I Saw Three Ships". From what I have read, there are questions over what the meaning of this carol is. Read a little about the history of "I Saw Three Ships" here!

Here are the words and movements we did today with the song:

I Saw Three Ships

I saw three ships come sailing in (sailing/wave motion with hands)
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three, (shrug shoulders)
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
And what was in those ships all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?

The Virgin Mary and Christ were there (count two people on fingers),
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

O they sailed into Bethlehem (sailing motion),
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the bells on earth shall ring (ringing handbells),
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing (make halo above head),
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice again (clap hands),
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Older children did a writing/thinking/drawing extension with a worksheet that said:

"I saw three ____________ on Christmas Day". The kids filled in the blank and drew a picture of three items they saw. We got plenty of unique answers from snowflakes to planets!

It's so wonderful to see the kids enthusiasm for music class each week. Check out this adorable reaction to the music cart rolling into the gym today: