The Best Gift - Karyn Henley Resources...Gift of All” take a very simple, general approach. Here...

PLAYSONGS™ MUSICALS

The

Best Giftof AllMatthew 2:1-12

A Bible Story Musical

with Activities

for Preschool Children

by Karyn Henley

Karyn Henley’s PLAYSONGS™ Musicals: The Best Gift of All

© 2007, 2013 Chatterville Music Company. All rights reserved. Exclusively administered byChild Sensitive Communication, LLC.

Written and illustrated by Karyn HenleyLayout by Kristi J. West

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 in anyform or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) withoutprior 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 ministry pur-poses at a single location within the original purchasers organization - not for distribution to non-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 for it,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

“Winter Sky” song . . . . . . . . 2

“Camels, Camels, Come” song . . . . . 4

“Star Light, Star Bright” song . . . . . . 6

“Bethlehem, Bethlehem” song . . . . . . 8

“The Best Gift of All” song . . . . . . .12

THE ACTIVITIES

Arts and Crafts . . . . . . . . . 14

Scripture Memory . . . . . . . . 19

Music and Movement . . . . . . . . 22

Science . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Cooking. . . . . . . . . . . 28

Games . . . . . . . . . . . 32

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Introduction

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

Age-Appropriate Features

This musical contains several features which we believe enhance a preschool-er’s experience 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 spokenparts.

Curriculum Enhancement

This musical can be utilized in a classroom setting in a variety of ways. Youmay desire to use this musical as a four-week curriculum. Learning the musical anddoing the activities can easily fill four class periods.

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

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 moreabout God and to share the Bible story with an audience. Props, sets, costumes andother preparations should never overshadow the focus of what God desires to do withthe children 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.The children’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 forvarious movements and hand motions for the children. If you have children who areunable to participate in a particular movement due to a physical hindrance, feel free toadapt or create a more appropriate motion. We want all of the children to feel that theyhave contributed to the telling of the story.

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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.

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 withthe children. We have placed the demonstration of the performance at the end of theCD. 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 per-formance 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 thatthe simplicity of God’s truths will speak loudly and clearly through the simplicity of theproduction and the children’s hearts.

We believe God uses children to bring His message of truth and love to peopleof all ages. This format provides an opportunity for children to enjoy God, learn moreabout Him, then share Him with others, passing the news of God’s marvelous works toother generations.

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 atleast once per class, or if time doesn’t allow, half the script per class. After the childrenhave heard and said their parts for two or three classes, they may learn your lines as well!

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We recommend that the songs be learned separately as the music portion ofyour lessons. As the children grow more familiar with the script and songs, beginweaving the songs 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 copied ontocassettes 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 haveused vocabulary that is appropriate for preschoolers. However, there is sometimes aterm that doesn’t have an appropriate preschool synonym. You may need to explainthis word to the children.

guide: someone or something that leads you(from the songs “Winter Sky” and “Star Light, Star Bright”)

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 orshe can say the children’s lines with them during practice times, and can also do theactions. If you have a large number of children, you may need two adult prompters.As the children become more familiar with the script and actions, the helper can simplymouth the words instead of actually saying them. This same approach can then beused during the performance, with the adult helper seated near the children where theycan clearly see their cues and receive help.

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 makechanges on the day of the performance. This will help the children feel comfortableand confident.

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

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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 piecesif you 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 chil-dren’s lines. This is a team effort in storytelling. We recommend that you not assignlines to “solo” children. The focus is the telling of the story. We want all the children tolearn that they have the ability to share stories from God’s Word.

Here are some ideas you may wish to use.

• Have the children dress as “gifts.” Have the children wear a variety of colors of solid-color t-shirts. Stick a large gift bow in the center of each t-shirt and securewith safety pins.

Sets and Props

If you are going to decorate your stage area for the performance of “The BestGift of All” take a very simple, general approach. Here are some ideas you may wishto use.

• Strands of twinkling lights. • One large star high on a wall–either made from yellow posterboard or purchased

as a large decorative Christmas star• Stacks of gift-wrapped boxes of different sizes

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.

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Dear Parents,

Your children are learning a short musical TheBest Gift of All. To help reinforce the songs andactions, we have prepared each family a rehears-al tape.

Please encourage your child to listen to his tapeduring 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.

Winter Skyby Karyn Henley

Winter sky, stars so high,What can you tell my watching eye?Winter sky, stars so high,What will you show tonight?

Stars that wink, stars that blink,Which one can show me what I seek?Stars that wink, stars that blink,Which one will be my guide?

Camels, Camels, Comeby Karyn Henley

Camels, camels, come, camels!Donkeys, donkeys, come, donkeys!Carry all our presents.We’re going to see the king.

Over hills and through valleys,Down the streets and through alleys,Following the bright star,We’re going to see the king.

Trip, trop, clip, clop,Hip, hop, don’t stop.Follow,follow the star.

Star Light, Star Brightby Karyn Henley

Star light, star bright,Brightest star I’ve seen tonight,Wish you may, wish you mightHear the song I sing.

Star light, star bright,Brightest star I’ve seen tonight,Wish you may, wish you mightGuide me to my king.

Bethlehem, Bethlehemby Karyn Henley

Bethlehem, Bethlehem,We are going to Bethlehem.Bethlehem, Bethlehem,We’re going to Bethlehem.

Baby king, baby king,We will see the baby king.Baby king, baby king,We’re going to see our king.

Worship him, worship him.We’ll bow down and worship him.Worship him, worship him,We’ll bow before our king.

The Best Gift of Allby Karyn Henley

This is the best gift of all.This is the best gift of all.A baby who shows us God’s great love.This is the best gift of all.This is the best gift of all.God has come to live with us.

Let the sea waves splash!Let the thunder clap!Let the trees bow low!Let the wild wind blow!Let the girls and boysSing a song of joy!As the angels laughAnd the stars in the heavens dance!

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Letter to Parents

The Best Gift of All Script

TeacherThis is a true story.

ChildrenIt really happened.

(Nod on “really” and “happened.”)

TeacherLong ago and far away there lived some wise men who watched the stars.

Children(Hands circled around eyes as if looking through binoculars.)

Star light, star bright,First star I’ve seen tonight.

TeacherThey believed that the stars could show them important news.

SONG: Winter Sky

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TeacherOne night, they saw a special star, big and bright.

Children(Point upward.) Big and bright.

TeacherThe wise men said, “This can mean only one thing.”

ChildrenOne thing. (Hold up one finger.)

TeacherSomeone important has been born.

ChildrenWho?

(Hands, palm up, by shoulders.)

TeacherA king! The wise men said, “Let’s go see this baby king!”

ChildrenI’ve got an idea! (Pointer finger up.) Let’s take presents!

TeacherThey took gold presents.

ChildrenShiny, shiny. (Fingers “sparkle.”)

TeacherAnd sweet-smelling presents.

Children(sniff) Mmmmm.

TeacherThey loaded the presents on their camels and donkeys.

SONG: Camels, Camels, Come



TeacherOver the sand, they marched.

ChildrenClip, clop, clip, clop. (March in place.)

TeacherAcross the rivers they splashed.

ChildrenSplish, splosh, splish, splosh.

(Pat thighs.)

TeacherThrough the day, they plodded.

ChildrenJig, jog, jig, jog. (Jog in place.)

TeacherThrough the night, they nodded.

Children(Close eyes and snore.)

TeacherBut they always followed the star.

SONG: Star Light, Star Bright


Activities


Arts and Crafts

Camel Prints

Materials• one copy for each child of the camel (see next page)• paper plates• liquid washable preschool paint (see less messy option below)• paper towels• hand wipes

Guide Each Child to1. Give each child a copy of the camel.2. Set out paper plates and pour just enough paint onto the plates to cover the

bottom.3. Show the children how to make a fist. 4. Help each child press the side of his fist into the paint, then onto the camel.

Their knuckles should be pointed towards the top of the page so the fist print will make a hump for the camel.

5. Immediately wipe the child’s hand with paper towels and ask the child to finish cleaning his hands with wipes.

Less messy option: Ask the child to place his fist over the camel’s middle so hisknuckles point to the top of the page. Then trace around the child’s fist. Ask thechild to color his camel.

Things to Talk About1. When you take a trip, what do you ride in?2. The wise men didn’t have cars or trains or buses or planes. What might they

have ridden?3. Where were the wise men going? 4. How did they know where to go?5. What did they take to baby Jesus?6. What was the best gift of all?

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

Arts and Crafts

Foil Shoe Prints

Materials• aluminum foil• a firm pillow• large construction paper• stapler and staples

Guide Each Child to1. Place a pillow on the floor.2. Place a sheet of aluminum foil on top of the pillow and help a child to step

gently, but firmly on it.3. Ask the child to step off and carefully take the shoe print he made to the

table, where he places it in the center of a piece of construction paper.4. Let the child help a teacher staple the edges of the foil shoe print to the

construction paper. Each child follows this procedure.

Things to Talk About1. Maybe the wise men rode part of the way to Bethlehem. Maybe they walked

part of the way. Do you think they left their footprints in some places?2. Do camels’ footprints look like your footprints? Do donkey footprints look like

your footprints?3. Why did the wise men travel such a long way?4. How did they know where to go?5. Who did they see at the end of their trip?6. What was the best gift of all?


Scripture Memory“The gift of God is life forever in Jesus.” Romans 6:23, paraphrased

Pass the Gift

Materials• a wrapped gift box with stickers or other treat inside (enough for all children)• a CD of Christmas music and CD player

Guide Each Child to1. Sit in a circle.2. Give one child the gift.3. When the music starts, children should pass the gift around the circle. 4. When the music stops, they all say the verse together: “The gift of God is life

forever in Jesus.”5. Start the music, and repeat the game.6. When you’ve finished the game, open the gift and share the contents with the

children.

Things to Talk About1. What gifts did the wise men take to baby Jesus?2. What was the best gift of all?3. What gift does God give us?


Music and Movement

Clop and Gallop

Materials• none

Guide Each Child to1. Listen carefully. When you say, “Clop, camels,” they will plod around the

room. Show them how to “plod.” 2. When you say, “Gallop, donkeys,” they will gallop around the room. Practice

these two directions.3. When you say, “Night time!” then they must all sit or curl up on the floor and

pretend to be camels or donkeys sleeping. Practice this.4. Now call out the three commands at random.5. You may add commands to keep it interesting, letting the children practice

each movement before you add it in. For example: Skip lambs. Fly birds. Run dogs. Etc.

Things to Talk About1. Are you going to go see anyone at Christmas? Is anyone going to come see

you? Will you take gifts?2. What gifts did the wise men take to baby Jesus?3. How did they know how to find baby Jesus?4. What was the best gift of all?


Science

Reflecting

Materials• one or more flashlights• one or more small mirrors (locker mirrors work well, or mirrors from old

makeup compacts)

Guide Each Child to1. Ask one child to hold a mirror while you shine a flashlight at it. Shine the

light at different angles. 2. Ask the children to describe what they see and point to where the light is

reflected.3. Now let them try it.4. Show them how to angle the mirror so they’ll get a reflection on certain spots

on the wall, floor, or ceiling.

Things to Talk About1. The light bouncing off the mirror is called a reflection. The mirror is reflecting

the light. Where is the mirror reflecting the light?2. What kinds of lights do you see in the sky?3. What did the wise men see in the sky?4. Where did the bright star lead them?5. What did they take with them?6. What was the best gift of all?


Cooking

Star of David Crackers

Materials• triangle-shaped crackers• canned processed cheese that squirts on• paper plates• paper towels• hand wipes

Guide Each Child to1. Clean their hands with wipes.2. Give each child a plate and an even number of triangle crackers.3. In the center of each cracker, squirt a bit of cheese.4. Show the children how to stack two crackers, cheese sides together, with

their points offset to make a star as shown below.5. They may eat their stars.

Things to Talk About1. Lead children to sing the “Star Light, Star Bright” song as they work.2. Why did the wise men decide to go to Bethlehem?3. How did they know where to find the baby king?4. What did they do when they found him?5. What was the best gift of all?


Games

Stack the Wise Men

Materials• plastic disposable picnic cups (lighter colors are best)• permanent marker for teacher

Prepare Ahead of TimeTurn the cups upside down and draw two eyes and a mouth on the side of eachone.

Guide Each Child to1. Look at the cups turned upside down. Tell them they’ll pretend these are

wise men.2. Help the children stack the cups in a pyramid. See how high you can go.3. To make the game harder, try setting one wise man on his head, the next

right side up on the rim of the first, the next one on his head, and so on.4. Children can work in pairs or in small groups. Or do this as a large group

with each child in turn adding one cup to the stack.5. Option: Do this on the floor and roll a soft ball at the stack to knock it down.

Things to Talk About1. What made the wise men want to take a trip?2. How did they know where to go?3. What did they find when they got there?4. What was the best gift of all?


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