Preschool Musical: L-O-V-E (Sample)

PLAYSONGS™ MUSICALS

L-O-V-EThe Easter Story

John 3:16

A Bible Story Musical

with Activities

for Preschool Children

by Sheri Smith Bertolini

and Karyn Henley

Karyn Henley’s: L-O-V-E

© 2000 Chatterville Music Company. All rights reserved. Exclusively administered by ChildSensitive Communication, LLC. PO Box 150806, Nashville, TN 37204-0269

Written by Sheri Smith Bertolini and Karyn HenleyIllustrated by Karyn Henley

Dandelion logo and PLAYSONGS are trademarks of Karyn Henley.

For more information about this curriculum, contact: [email protected]

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted inany form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) with-out prior written permission, except as specified below.

A word about photocopying and file sharing:Permission is granted to the original purchaser to reproduce any of these pages for ministrypurposes at a single location within the original purchasers organization - not for distribution tonon-purchasers.

Because we are a small company every sale is important to us. Please donot deprive us of our livelihood by giving away photocopies or electronicfiles to non-purchasers. If you enjoyed this publication and did not pay forit, please order one now at my website. Thank you!

May God bless your ministry to children.

www.KarynHenley.com

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . i

Putting It All Together . . . . . . . iii

Letter to Parents . . . . . . . . . vi

THE MUSICAL

Script . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

“God Loved the World So Much” song . . . . 3

“Ask God to Forgive You” song . . . . . . 7

“L-O-V-E” song . . . . . . . . . . 9

“Psalm 150” song . . . . . . . . . 12

THE ACTIVITIES

Arts and Crafts . . . . . . . . . 16

Scripture Memory . . . . . . . . 22

Music and Movement . . . . . . . . 26

Science . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Cooking. . . . . . . . . . . 35

Games . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Introduction

These musicals are designed to provide an age-appropriate medium for preschoolchildren, ages four and five. Our hope is that the children who participate will enjoy God,gain a greater understanding of His love for them, and share their love for God with oth-ers through telling God’s Word in story and song.

Age-Appropriate Features

This musical contains several features which we believe enhance a preschooler’sexperience in learning and retelling Bible stories. These age-appropriate featuresinclude:

• Multi-sensory experiences because preschoolers learn best by doing and using all their senses,

• Short duration for their short attention spans,• Simple lines, songs and actions to insure that all the children can participate

successfully,• Minimal props, sets and costumes that can be created easily from materials

normally found in school supplies (optional),• Preparation time that can be accomplished during normal class time without

special rehearsals,• Enrichment activities, to reinforce the Bible story.

The Format

The design of this musical gives the greater share of the storytelling responsibili-ty to the teacher or adult volunteer who tells or reads the story as the narrator, givingvocal cues to the children throughout the play. The children learn short responses tothese cues, so that the musical is performed in a responsive reading fashion. Many ofthe cues are repeated throughout the story, which helps the children learn and remem-ber their lines more easily. Actions and movement enhance the children’s spoken parts.

Curriculum Enhancement

This musical can be utilized in a classroom setting in a variety of ways. You maydesire to use this musical as a four-week curriculum. Learning the musical and doing theactivities can easily fill four class periods.

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Or you may wish to introduce the musical during a quarter as an extra activity toenhance the curriculum you are presently using.

The activities found in the second half of this book include arts and crafts, scrip-ture memory, music and movement, science, cooking, and games. These activities willgive the children a variety of experiences that reinforce the lessons taught through theBible story.

Keep in mind that this book is to be used as a guide. Feel free to use any ideasyou may have for costumes, props and other activities that you feel are appropriate.

Remember that the main objective is for the children to enjoy learning more aboutGod and to share the Bible story with an audience. Props, sets, costumes and otherpreparations should never overshadow the focus of what God desires to do with the chil-dren as they learn and tell His truth.

Children’s Lines and Cues

When the narrator reads a line or phrase of words that is underlined, this is thecue for the children’s response. In the sample below, the words “three grown up boys”is the cue for the children to raise their arms, show their muscles and say “One, two,three!” This may occur several times throughout the story, but the cue will be the sameeach time, underlined so the teacher/narrator will know how to emphasize the cues. Thechildren’s response will be the same every time they hear this cue.

TeacherNoah had a wife.

Noah also had three grown up boys.

ChildrenOne, two three!

(Make strong arms, showing muscles)

Hand Motions and Actions

Diagrams throughout the script and songs illustrate our recommendations for var-ious movements and hand motions for the children. If you have children who are unableto participate in a particular movement due to a physical hindrance, feel free to adapt orcreate a more appropriate motion. We want all of the children to feel that they have con-tributed to the telling of the story.

ii © Chatterville Music Co. All rights reserved. www.karynhenley.com

Script & Songs

Because of young children’s short attention spans, we have kept the script to ashort duration and songs to a minimum in quantity. All the songs and lines are simpleand repetitive and lend themselves easily to the suggested actions. The script may bephotocopied for rehearsal and performance use.

The CD

The CD contains everything you will need for the performance and rehearsals ofthe musical. You may find it helpful to copy practice tapes or CD’s to send home with thechildren. We have placed the demonstration of the performance at the end of the CD.You have permission to copy the demonstration performance onto practice cas-settes or CD’s.

Please remember that copying the entire CD and/or resale of copies violatescopyright laws. We do grant permission for making copies of the demonstration perform-ance from the CD for rehearsal use only.

The Mission

We encourage you to pray with the children as they learn their parts and songs.Pray for each other and for the people who will see and hear the program. Pray that thesimplicity of God’s truths will speak loudly and clearly through the simplicity of the pro-duction and the children’s hearts.

We believe God uses children to bring His message of truth and love to people ofall ages. This format provides an opportunity for children to enjoy God, learn more aboutHim, then share Him with others, passing the news of God’s marvelous works to othergenerations.

iii© Chatterville Music Co. All rights reserved. www.karynhenley.com

Putting It All Together

Learning the Musical

To teach the script, we recommend that you treat it as the storytelling portion ofyour Bible lesson. Children enjoy and learn from repetition. Go through the story at leastonce per class, or if time doesn’t allow, half the script per class. After the children haveheard and said their parts for two or three classes, they may learn your lines as well!

We recommend that the songs be learned separately as the music portion of yourlessons. As the children grow more familiar with the script and songs, begin weaving thesongs into the script.

It is very helpful to make a cassette or CD practice copy of the songs and scriptfor each child to have at home so that children can work on their parts during the week.Even if they only listen to the tape or CD in the car, it will reinforce the lines, songs andmessage. The demonstration performance on the teacher’s CD may be copiedonto cassettes or CD’s for rehearsal use.

Words to Talk About

Before learning the script to “The Best Gift of All” we recommend that you talkabout some of the words that are used in the script. As often as possible, we have usedvocabulary that is appropriate for preschoolers. However, there is sometimes a term thatdoesn’t have an appropriate preschool synonym. You may need to explain this word tothe children.

• stable • carpenter • lame• blind • instruments

As you go through the script with the children, encourage them to ask you about anyother words they may not understand.

An Adult Helper

We recommend that you have a teacher/helper to serve as a prompter. He or shecan say the children’s lines with them during practice times, and can also do the actions.If you have a large number of children, you may need two adult prompters. As the chil-dren become more familiar with the script and actions, the helper can simply mouth thewords instead of actually saying them. This same approach can then be used during theperformance, with the adult helper seated near the children where they can clearly seetheir cues and receive help.

iv © Chatterville Music Co. All rights reserved. www.karynhenley.com

You may prefer to be the prompter and let someone else be the storyteller. Youmay even wish to involve older students in the storytelling. But remember, once yourroles are decided, rehearse the script the same way every time, and don’t make changeson the day of the performance. This will help the children feel comfortable and confident.

You know your children’s needs. If they are struggling to remember a certain partor action, have the prompters use cue card pictures or even sign language to help themremember.

Blocking or Staging

There is no need for complicated blocking or staging for the children. Simplymake sure everyone can see and be seen. Using risers, steps or simple platforms canhelp keep all the children visible to the audience. When the actions include hopping upand down or any other movement, make sure the riser or area on which the childrenstand is secure.

Costumes

We recommend taking a very relaxed approach to costuming. Let the childrenwear their Sunday clothes or nice play clothes. You may add simple costumes pieces ifyou wish. Use only one item per child, such as a headband, apron or hat.

To represent a character or group of characters like soldiers, try to use a singleitem like a badge, sash or special headband.

No matter how you decide to dress the children, ALL children say all the children’slines. This is a team effort in storytelling. We recommend that you not assign lines to“solo” children. The focus is the telling of the story. We want all the children to learn thatthey have the ability to share stories from God’s Word.

Sets and Props

If you are going to decorate your stage area for the performance of “L-O-V-E” takea very simple, general approach. Here are some ideas you may wish to use.

• Use a large posterboard heart shape to hold the script that the narrator will read from.

• Use the handprint cross from the art activities as part of the set decor.• Make an assortment of heart shapes in all colors to decorate walls. You can

draw or sponge paint cross shapes onto the hearts.

These are simple ideas that help children use their imagination, and help to reinforce the story. The focus is the story, not the set, costumes, and props.

v© Chatterville Music Co. All rights reserved. www.karynhenley.com

Dear Parents,

Your children are learning a short musical calledL-O-V-E. To help reinforce the songs and actions,we have prepared each family a rehearsal CD.

Please encourage your child to listen to this CDduring the week. We want to give the childrenevery opportunity to learn the Bible story. Wehope you enjoy letting your child teach you theactions to the script and songs.

Thank you for your help.

God Loved the World So Muchtraditional tune adapted by Karyn Henley

God loved the world so much,World so much, world so much,God loved the world so muchHe gave His only Son.

God loved the world so much,World so much, world so much,God loved the world so muchHe gave His only Son.

Ask God to Forgive Youtraditional tune adapted by Sheri Smith

If there is sin inside your heart,If there is sin inside your heart,If there is sin inside your heart,Ask God to forgive you.

He will wash your sin away,He will wash your sin away,He will wash your sin away,Ask God to forgive you.

L-O-V-Eby Karyn Henley

Why does God put the rainbow in the sky?L-O-V-E, Love, that's why.Why does God make frogs jump high?L-O-V-E, Love, that's why.Why does God make grandmas to hug?Why does God make such fascinating bugs?Why does God put the twinkle in your eye?L-O-V-E, Love, that's why.

Why does God send stars at night?L-O-V-E, Love, that's why.Why does God give birds their flight?L-O-V-E, Love, that's why.Why does God give the snail a house?Why does God give a tail to a mouse?Why does God make snow so white?L-O-V-E, Love, that's why.

Why did God send Jesus to die?L-O-V-E, Love, that's why.Why on the third day did He rise?L-O-V-E, Love, that's why.Why does Jesus live again?Why did He forgive my sin?Why do I lift praises high?L-O-V-E, Love, that's why.

Why do I lift praises high?L-O-V-E, Love, that's why.

Psalm 150by Karyn Henley

We praise your name with dancing, yes, Lord, yes!

And with the tambourine, we will sing.We praise you with the flute and with the trumpet,With crashes of the cymbals, and with the strings.

Hallelujah! The Lord is great!Hallelujah! Magnify His name!Hallelujah! To the Lord Most High!Let everything that lives Praise the Lord!

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L-O-V-E Letter to Parents

L-O-V-E Script

TeacherThis is a true story.

childrenIt really happened.

(Nod on “really” and “happened.”)

TeacherA long time ago,

we got a very special gift from God.

childrenGod is perfect.

(thumbs up)

TeacherGod’s gift was His son, Jesus.

Jesus came to live on the earth.He was born in a stable.Jesus was a tiny baby,

childrenbut He was God’s son.

(cradle arms)

TeacherJesus grew and grew.

He worked.

childrenLike me!

(point to self)

TeacherHe played.

childrenLike me!

(point to self)

1© Chatterville Music Co. All rights reserved. www.karynhenley.com

TeacherJesus died on a cross for you and me.

He made us clean from our sins.So now we can be with Him forever, and

He can be our best friend.While we work,

childrenLike me!

(point to self)

Teacherand while we play,

childrenLike me!

(point to self)

Teacherwe can be His best friends.Jesus loves us very much.

SONG: L-O-V-E

8 © Chatterville Music Co. All rights reserved. www.karynhenley.com

ActivitiesYou will L-O-V-E !

Arts & Crafts

Scripture Memory

Music & Movement

Science

Cooking

Games


Arts & Crafts

Drinking Straw Crosses

Materials

• 1 drinking straw per child, cut in two, one piece slightly shorter than the other• yarn, any color, about 1 yard for each child• a hole puncher• a sharp pair of scissors (for teacher use only)

Prepare Ahead of Time

• Punch a hole through both sides of the longer straw portion, about 1 inch from the top.

Guide Each Child to

1. Slide the shorter straw piece through the hole in the longer straw, making a cross.

2. Help the teacher punch a hole at the top end of the straw.3. Thread the yarn through the hole.4. Let the teacher tie the yarn to make a necklace.

Things to Talk About

1. When you see a cross, what does it help you remember?2. Why did God send his son, Jesus, to earth?3. Why did Jesus die on the cross?*4. Did Jesus stay dead? Where is Jesus now?

* We can only live with God when we are perfect, without sin. So Jesus died on the cross to be pun-ished for our sin. Now God forgives us, because Jesus took the blame for what we did wrong. Jesuscame to help us be with God again by dying for our sin.


Scripture Memory“God loved the world so much he gave his only Son.” John 3:16

Heart Hopping

Materials

• 8-inch construction paper hearts (12 hearts)• masking tape

Guide Each Child to

1. Help the teacher tape hearts in a path on the floor.2. Hop from heart to heart, saying the memory verse, one word per

heart/hop.


1. Sometimes, when we feel excited or happy, we jump up and down. Canyou think of any animals that jump up and down?

2. When you think about Jesus being alive again, how does it make you feel?

3. When you are happy and excited, what do you do? What do you say?4. How does it make you feel when someone in your family is happy and

excited? Or when a friend is happy and excited? Do you think God feelshappy and excited?


Music and Movement

Finger Play

Here is the hillside, (fold hands, fingers inside)

And the cross where Jesus died. (make cross with index fingers)

He died for all the people of the world. (open and show all fingers wiggling)

Here is the cave grave. (fold hands, fingers outside)

Jesus’ body went inside. (show hole by opening thumbs)

But now it’s empty. He’s alive! (open and show empty palms)

Materials

none

Guide Each Child to

1. Clasp his hands and follow the teacher’s leading through the fingerplay.2. Repeat as often as desired.


1. Do you think all the people of the world know about Jesus? Do you knowanyone who needs to know about Jesus? What would you tell them about Jesus?

2. When we tell people that Jesus loves them and wants to forgive them of their sin and be with them forever, that is good news. How can we help people hear the good news about Jesus? Can you think of someone you could tell? Who?

3. God tells us it is a good thing to pray for people to know about Jesus, too.Who can we pray for?


Science

Music Makers

Materials

• one 5 x 5 square of tissue paper for each child• one hair comb per child

Guide Each Child to

1. Fold the tissue paper around the comb, with the teeth of the comb at the fold.

2. Place his lips against the tissue-wrapped comb, with his mouth slightly open.

3. Blow out as he hums the tune “Jesus Loves Me” to make a buzzing melody.

4. Put the comb down and close his mouth, continuing to hum.5. Feel his throat with his hand as he hums to feel the vibrations.


1. Can you feel the buzzy feeling on your throat when you hum? Those arecalled vibrations.

2. Name some ways we can thank God and praise him.3. How can you praise God with your hands? With your voice? With your

feet? With instruments?


Cooking

Cross Muffins

Ingredients

• English muffins, one half per child• softened cream cheese• raisins

Kitchen Tools

• toaster• craft sticks• paper plates• paper towels

Guide Each Child to

1. Toast his muffin half.2. Spread cream cheese on the toasted muffin with his craft stick.3. Place raisins on the cream cheese in the shape of a cross.4. Pray, thanking God for sending Jesus and for making Him alive again.


1. What does a cross help us remember?2. Who does God love so much that he sent his only Son?3. Where have you seen crosses before?


Games

Parachute Cave Tomb

Materials

• old bed sheet

Guide Each Child to

1. Stand in a circle holding onto the edge of the sheet.2. Move the sheet up and down as a group.3. Say, “Early in the morning, Jesus’ friends went to the cave tomb. (name

of child) looked inside (raise the bed sheet, the child goes under, the bed sheet comes down).

4. Say, “Anything in there?” Respond by saying, “No - it’s empty.” 5. Raise the sheet. The child runs back out to his place in the circle.


1. What did it feel like to have the sheet drop down over your head? 2. Have you ever pulled your bed covers up over your head? That’s kind of

like being in a cave.3. Who was in a cave in our story? What happened in the cave?


Preschool Musical: L-O-V-E (Sample)

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Transcript of Preschool Musical: L-O-V-E (Sample)