Want a FUN idea that will be FREE for your family this holiday season? Go caroling!
Here are a few things to keep in mind before you go:
- Invite neighbors and friends.
- Find places where you can carol such as: nursing homes, Children’s hospitals, or special care centers.
- Practice a list of songs before going out. Click here for some songs.
- If people give you money for caroling, give it to a charity.
- Let this be a gift that your family gives this season that money can’t buy.
Some say that carols got their name from a girl named Carol who got lost in London, England, on a cold winter night. Her friends went from house to house to find her. Since then people go from house to house singing songs at Christmas. *1
Others say that the word “carol” comes from the French word that means: a circle dance with singing. The reason for carols is to show the joy that is celebrated during the Christmas season. *2
Hold that Note!
Singers know how long to hold their notes because they have learned how to read music. Li Ming seems to know her stuff! Look at her go. Let’s see how long you can hold a note!
Whole Note |
Half Note |
Quarter Note |
Eighth Note |
 = 4 beats |
 = 2 beats |
 = 1 beat |
 = each little note gets ½ a beat (so 2 notes = 1 beat) |
Get a stop watch and count how many seconds you can hold a single note without breathing, and make each second equal 1 beat.
I hold a note for __________ seconds, which is the same as _______ beats.
Now write out that number of beats with musical notes.
So Li Ming can sing a note for 15 seconds, which is the same as 15 beats. One combination of notes she could write would be: + + + + + +
4 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 15 beats
See which family member can write the most creative combination of notes. Better yet, see who can hold a note for the longest!
Keep going-the next activity is on the following page.
Resources
*1 http://www.allthingschristmas.com/carols.php
*2 http://musiced.about.com/od/christmasnewyeararticles/a/carols.htm