Here is a great new children’s song in our Hymns for Home and Church #1056! This song was written by Alan Patterson. You can learn more about him and see a lesson from the church here.
I love this part of Brother Patterson personal story. Brother Patterson’s oldest two children are deaf, and when they were young, he and his wife wondered how to communicate with them. As he learned to sign with his children, Brother Patterson came to understand that our physical conditions or circumstances do not prevent God from communicating with us. We can learn to “hear” the voice of the Spirit in personal ways. In this song, Brother Patterson hoped to help others understand that affirming truth.
To honor this composer, I have chosen to teach this song with sign language. I think you would love it!
Music Method
This song is written in a 6/8 time signature which lends to a swaying back and forth motion. As a conductor, if you choose not to use sign language and need to conduct, a slow back and forth with you hand is very comfortable. You could also add ribbon wands or scarves to this back and forth motion for your primary children.
A Few Tips for Teaching
I have written out sign language instruction for this song. You can download a copy of those here.
When I teach sign language, I use my LH to perform the dominate movement. That way, the children who mirror me will be using their dominate RH. I have been told that it doesn’t matter which hand does the sign, but I have found the children feel more comfortable using their strong RH.
I pulled these ASL signs from the Website Signing Savvy. If you have any questions on my instructions, you can watch a video of the word performed on this site.
For the name Elijah, you will need to spell it out with sign language letters. Again, I learn this with my LH. I have had to practice this many many times, but I’m getting quicker. Use the above website to learn these letters. I think this will be your biggest challenge! The kids will pick it up quickly, but do not stress if some children only get a few letters. It will be fine! Print off a copy of the ASL Alphabet here for your practice.
Teaching sign language requires you as the conductor to practice and feel very comfortable and confident before you teach you primary. Your pianist will probably need to play this song slower than normal as you learn together. I have seen children learn a whole song in one week using sign language. They love and learn quickly by singing with their hands! If you have never tried this before, be brave and give it a try. I think you will love it!!
Here is a video for you to practice with.
Visual Aids
So many ways to teach this song! If you want to post a flip chart to help with the words, you can down load a flip chart for this song here.
Gospel Teaching
Here is a great conference talk to teach you about this experience of Elijah. It will give you some great teaching points to talk with your primary. It was given by Elder S. Dilworth Young in May of 1976. There are lots of resources on the Church’s website to help you understand this scripture story in 1 Kings 19.
It would also be a great time for you as chorister, or your presidency or teachers to share personal experiences of ways they hear the Holy Ghost.
Ok! You’ve got this.
Happy Singing!