Music Time for 3s - LifeWay

3.1 

Teacher's 

Guide 

© Copyright 2007 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. All rights reserved. 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, 

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. 

Music Time for 3s 3.1, Teacher’s Guide

Production Team 

Anita Bice 

Project Leader 

Allison Smith 

Michelle M. Guy 

Contract Editors 

Paula Sims 

Music Editor 

Brent Roberts 

Music Engraver 

Marian F. Jones 

Graphic Designer 

Wendell McGuirk 

Graphic Design Specialist 

Ronald E. Clark 

Lead Technical Specialist 

Allison Smith 

Worship Music Events Specialist 


Contents 

< 1< 1< 1< 1< 1 

Theme Introduction and Meet the Writing Team . . . . . . . 5 

How to Use Music Time for 3s 3.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 

Teaching Tips for 3s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 

DVD List and Credits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 

CD List and Credits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

SESSION PLANS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 

Sessions 1-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 

Extra Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 

Song plans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 

Action Songs: “Exercise,” “Wind Blows Through 

the Leaves,” “4 Rhythm Track” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

“Autumn Leaves” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 

“Celebrate” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 

“Jesus, I Love You” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 

“Jesus, I Love You This Much” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 

“My Best Friend Is Jesus” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 

“A Mystery for You”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 

“See the Shepherds”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 

“Sing Thanks to God” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 

“Thank You, God, for Everything” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 

“Tiny Little Baby” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 

“Wonderful Mystery” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 

ActivitY Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 

Early Arrivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 

Activities A-O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 

Kit Items. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 

0-20 (Located after the Teacher’s Guide) 

For ease of use, you are granted permission to duplicate Teacher’s 

Guide pages as needed for your choir or class. Duplication of other 

items within this kit, unless otherwise noted, must have written consent 

of the publisher. Contact musiccopyrightsandpermissions@lifeway.com 

for further information. 

Music Time for 3s 3.1, Teacher’s Guide 4

Theme Intro 

Your mission is to introduce young sleuths to the greatest mystery 

of all times—a mystery no one can solve. Allow investigators to 

ask questions: How can God listen to everyone’s prayers at once? 

How can God know how many hairs are on each person’s head? 

How can God be everywhere at the same time? Your detectives will 

discover that God is too big to be explained. The mystery deepens 

when they learn this magnificent God wants to be their closest 

friend. Seekers who follow the evidence dare to believe what they 

cannot see. They will find Jesus magnified more each day as they 

trust and follow Him. Your mission results in responding to God, 

The Wonderful Mystery, in worship! 

“He made known to us the mystery of His will” (Ephesians 1:9). 

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦ 

Meet the Writing Team 

Denice Tipton is an online adjunct music and religion professor 

for Judson College in Marion, Alabama. A previous Music Time 

writer for LifeWay Worship Music Group, Denice has led children’s 

music conferences in her area. Currently, she assists a church planting 

team by playing the piano for a new church start. She and her 

husband, Steve, have two children and are now serving with the 

Coffee County Baptist Association at the Vineyard Christian Retreat. 

Nan Grantham serves as creative consultant on Music Time for 3s 3.1 and 3.2 products. 

Her association with LifeWay Christian Resources as writer, composer, video instructor, and clinician 

in preschool and children’s music spans three decades. She currently teaches homeschool music 

enrichment classes and remains active in the music ministry at her church in Houston, Texas. 


How To Use 

3.1 

This Teacher’s Guide for teaching threes has been 

prayerfully designed to replace the Teacher’s Guide 

in the Music Time 3.1 Kit for ages 4-K. 

You will need the following products in order to use 

this Teacher’s Guide. 

• Music Time 3.1 Kit (1-4158-3413-X) 

• Songs for Music Time 3.1 Songbook 

(1-4158-3353-2) 

To order, contact LifeWay Worship Music 

at 1-800-436-3869 or 

www.lifeway.com/worshipmusic 

• The Activity Plans divider page (p. 47) lists 

each activity and all coordinating Teacher’s 

Guide pages, CD/DVD points, and Kit Items. 

• The first six pages after the Activity Plans 

divider page list Early Arriver Activities. 

4. Kit Items 

• The Kit Items divider page is the final page 

of the Teacher’s Guide. 

• The Kit Items divider page lists each Kit 

Item and all coordinating Activities, Song 

Plans, and CD/DVD points. 

The Teacher’s Guide is divided into four sections. 

Each section begins with a helpful divider page 

that can be printed on colored paper or pasted 

on the tabs provided in the Music Time Kit for 

ages 4-K. 

1. Session Plans 

• This section contains 15 pre-plannned session 

outlines. A session planning sheet 

(p. 12) allows you to create custom session 

plans. Duplicate page 12, place the 

copies behind the original, and write down 

your plans for each session. 

2. Song Plans 

• The Song Plans are in alphabetical order. 

• The Song Plans divider page (p. 21) lists 

each song with all coordinating Teacher’s 

Guide pages, CD/DVD points, and Kit 

Items. 

• Song teaching plans are provided for all 

songs in the unit. Each plan also gives a 

Scripture and biblical truth for the song. 

• Each Song Plan lists preparation steps 

and items needed in a Get Ready section. 

• Teaching step numbers and titles are large 

enough to see at a glance. 

• Ballot boxes are provided for each step so 

you can check off your progress. 

3. Activity Plans 

• This section has group activities designed 

for smaller groups of children. 

CDs 

The Music Time Kit contains a CD with listening 

tracks (including vocals), followed by instrumentonly 

accompaniment tracks. CDs with only listening 

tracks can be purchased separately for leaders, 

children, and parents. (See p. 7.) 

DVD 

The Kit also contains a DVD. The DVD provides 

teaching demonstrations of selected activities, 

song-teaching techniques, and Kit Item usage. A 

segment list is provided on page 10. 

Activity Book 

An Activity Book is available for children 4-K. Music 

Time for 3s does not require an Activity Book. 


Companion Products 

Sold Separately 

Music Time 3.1 Kit 

(1-4158-3413-X) 

•Contains CD, 

DVD and Kit 

Items to be used 

with Music Time 

for 3s Teacher’s 

Guide 

Songs for Music Time 3.1 

Songbook 

(1-4158-3353-2) 

Contents: 

• All songs for the 

semester with melody 

and accompaniment 

Songs for Music Time 3.1 

Accompaniment CD 

(1-4158-3324-9) 

• Contains listening 

and accompaniment 

tracks for all songs in 

Songs for Music Time 

3.1 Songbook 

• This CD is provided in 

the kit. Additional ones 

may be purchased 

separately. 

Plans & Pluses, Vol. 9 

(1-4158-3354-0) 

Magazine and CD-ROM 

include: 

• Wonderful Mysterytheme art, incentives, 

postcards, bookmarks, posters, activities to 

supplement the 3.1 and 3.2 semesters of 

Music Time, Music Makers, and Young Musicians 

Songs for Music 

Time 3.1 

Listening CD 

(1-4158-3504-7) 

• May be purchased 

for each child and 

leader to take 

home 

• Discounted when 

purchased in 

quantities of 10 or 

more 


mi 1 MTfT Activity K 

& 4 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ 

Teaching Tips for 3s 

Thank You, God, for *flow - ers. 

*Substitute other things God made. 

•While 

mi 2 MTfT 

this 

p. 39Teacher’s Guide can be adapted well to 

the setup you have, we recommend: 

& 4 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ 

º 10 to 12 three-year-olds per Large Group and 

What col - or is your block? 

three to four children in Small Groups. 

My 

block 

º a teacher ratio of one teacher per three to 

four children. 

*Substitute appropriate colors. 

mi 3 MTfT p. 42 

is 

*yel 

•The director leads Large Group times, and other 

& teachers 4 œ lead Small œ Group œ Activities, œ using œ 

Activity Plans (pp. 58-82). 

Whom 

I 

low. 

*Substitute Daddy, Jesus, or the name of another child the room. 

•Sessions should be about thirty minutes in length. 

(See Sample Session Plan on p. 9.) If your 

mi session 4 MTfT pp. lasts 43-44 longer, children may spend free-play 

time in learning centers. (See Ideal Room Setup, 

& p. 4 j 

9.) 

œ 

I 

do you love? 

love *Mom 

- 

my. 

œ œ œ œ œ œ 

- 

•Some activities call for a CD player. However, you 

may also sing unaccompanied; children need to 

experience unaccompanied singing. 

•Introduce a small number of instruments at a 

time to 3s. It is not necessary to have or use all 

of the instruments listed in one semester. 

º Children need to explore two or three ways 

of making sounds with each instrument. 

º Dowels (½” or ¾”) or lummi sticks are 

recommended versus rhythm sticks. 

•Throughout the session, use spontaneous conversational 

singing. Sing greetings, instructions, and 

*Substitute the name of another child in the room. 

questions on sol-mi (G-E in the key of C). Also sing 

conversationally as they play, such as: 


roll the ball to *Sal - ly. 

& 4 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ 

See Mi - chael roll the ball. 

Small Groups 

•The largest part of each session should be 

spent in Small Group Activities. Threes learn 

best through play. 

•Threes benefit from being able to choose the 

activity in which they would like to participate. 

After Small Group time, allow them to share 

what they did. 

•Threes will sometimes choose to play in activity 

areas rather than participate in activities. This 

is fine. They absorb as much while listening and 

watching. 

•Repeat Activity steps to give 3s many opportunities 

to participate and respond. Let the children’s 

pace determine what you accomplish in a session, 

rather than the amount on the lesson plan. 

Large Group 

•For Large Group, prepare a floor circle for children 

to gather around each week, using either carpet 

squares or masking tape. Threes do not know how 

to form a circle on their own. 

•Start each Large Group with purposeful steadybeat 

movement. Using an accompaniment CD, 

lead 3s to step the steady q beat and rock or pat 

the steady h beat. Help children discover and 

choose different ways to step and pat. 

•Threes learn songs by hearing them repeatedly. 

Even after repetition, they may sing only part of a 

song. 

•Before singing songs, get a starting pitch. For 

pitch-matching development, 3s need to begin and 

learn a song in a consistent key. 


Ideal Room Setup 

Activities can be done in learning centers 

typically present in a preschool classroom. 

•Art •Nature •Music •Listening 

•Books •Home-living •Puzzles •Moving 

This recommended room setup is not 

mandatory for an effective Music Time for 3s 

session. 

What Each Learning Center Should Include 

•Art—Paintbrushes, water-based paint, 

construction paper, glue or glue sticks, yarn, 

butcher paper, old magazines, pencils, 

finger painting supplies, non-toxic clay, 

crayons, blunt scissors, paper, washable 

markers. 

•Books—Picture books about everyday life, 

church, the Bible, God/Jesus, nature, 

transportation, farms, the alphabet, 

numbers, rhymes. 

•Listening—music CDs, CD player, step 

bells, piano, or resonator bells. 

Sample Session Plan 

for Music Time for 3s 

Early Arriver Activities 

Before session begins 

Small Group (10-15 minutes) 

Activities in various learning centers where 

teachers work with individuals or small groups 

Large Group (5-10 minutes) 

Led by the director, all children gather in the 

same area of the room to sing and move. 

Small Group (10 minutes) 

Activities continue. Children may return to the 

same activity group they were in previously. 

Large Group (5 minutes) 

•Home-living—play furniture, such as stove, 

sink, cupboards, chest of drawers, table 

and chairs, pots and pans, dishes, pitchers, 

cups, mops, brooms, dustpans, toy iron 

and ironing board, dress-up clothing, washable 

doll to play with and bathe, doll beds, 

doll-sized high chair and stroller, toy phone, 

plastic food, empty food boxes. 

•Moving—Define the area by placing a circle 

of masking tape on the floor. Make the 

circle big enough to allow 3s plenty of 

space to move. 

•Music—music CDs, CD player, rhythm 

instruments (wrist bells, rhythm sticks, 

tambourines, woodblocks, drums, 

maracas). 


DVD List and Credits 

SONG/ACTIVITY TEACHING 

1. “A Mystery for You” 

2. “Jesus, I Love You This Much” 

3. Truth Sleuth 

4. “Autumn Leaves” 

5. Schnif’s Place (Activity N) 

6. “My Best Friend Is Jesus” 

Note: Segment 6 relates only to 

teachers of children 4-K. 

MOVEMENT 

7. “Wonderful Mystery” 

8. “Celebrate” 

9. Sign Language 

KIT ITEM DEMONSTRATIONS 

10. Truth Sleuth and Add-ons (Items 1a-e) 

11. Fall Nature Scene/Decoder (Items 0, 4) 

12. Melody Map (Items 3a-d) 

BENEDICTION 

PERFORMERS 

Teacher 

Michelle Guy 

Contract Design Editor 

LifeWay Worship Music Group 

Children 

Zara Dorris 

Avery Fowler 

Cade Fowler 

Bailey Martin 

DVD Production 

Publishing Services and Multimedia Department 

LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist 

Convention 

Richard Barnes, Department Director 

Betsy Wedekind, Producer 

T. Christian Cox, Contract Producer-Director 

Eddie Bellar, Set Design and Construction 

Jimmy Preston, Equipment Manager, Camera Operator 

Anita Bice, Executive Producer 


CD List and Credits 

VOCALS with ACCOMPANIMENT TRACKS 

1. A Mystery for You 

Nan Grantham 

© 2007 Broadman Press (SESAC) 

(admin. by LifeWay Worship Music Group). 

All rights reserved. 

2. Jesus, I Love You This Much 

Lynn Shaw Bailey 

© 2007 Van Ness Press, Inc. (ASCAP) 



3. My Best Friend Is Jesus 

Mildred A. Stagg 

© 1939. Renewal 1967 Broadman Press (SESAC) 



4. Sing Thanks to God 

Pam Noel 




5. Thank You, God, for Everything 

Lynn Shaw Bailey 




6. Jesus, I Love You 

Linda L. Walker 




7. Tiny Little Baby 

Joyce Griffitts 




8. See the Shepherds 

Glenn Eernisse/Susan Eernisse 

© 2007 Van Ness Press, Inc. (ASCAP)/ 

Broadman Press (SESAC) (admin. by LifeWay Worship 

Music Group). All rights reserved. 

9. Celebrate 

Nan Grantham 




10. Autumn Leaves 

Christa Schilb 




11. Wind Blows Through the Leaves 

Sandy Wilkinson 

© 2002 Van Ness Press, Inc. (ASCAP) (admin. by 

LifeWay Worship Music Group). 


12. Exercise 

Trilby Jordan/Traditional 

© 2000 Van Ness Press, Inc. (ASCAP) (admin. by 

LifeWay Worship Music Group). 


13. Wonderful Mystery 

Jeremy Johnson/Paul Marino/Greg Nelson 

© 2007 Van Ness Press, Inc. (ASCAP)/McKinney Music, 

Inc. (BMI) (admin. by LifeWay Worship Music Group). 


14. Bonus: Wonderful Mystery (acoustic) 

same as Wonderful Mystery 

ACCOMPANIMENT TRACKS only 

15. A Mystery for You 

16. Jesus, I Love You This Much 

17. My Best Friend Is Jesus 

18. Sing Thanks to God 

19. Thank You, God, for Everything 

20. Jesus, I Love You 

21. Tiny Little Baby 

22. See the Shepherds 

23. Celebrate 

24. Autumn Leaves 

25. Wind Blows Through the Leaves 

26. Exercise 

27. Wonderful Mystery 

28. Wonderful Mystery (acoustic) 

29. 4 Rhythm Track 

CD Production 

Music, Publishing, & Recording 

LifeWay Worship Music Group 

LifeWay Christian Resources 

of the Southern Baptist Convention 

Producers—Anita Bice, Mark Johnson 

Studios—Sound Kitchen, Franklin, TN 

Platinum Lab, Nashville, TN 

Engineers—Brent King, Melissa Mattey 

Mastering—Venus Mastering, Nashville, TN 

Vocal Contractor/Choir Director—Teresa Harland 

Instrumental Contractor—Pam Sixfin 


Date: 

Session 

Planning Sheet 

For Creating Customized Rehearsal Plans 

Early Arrivers 

Before the Session 

Small Activity Groups 

NOTE: Divide children into four groups. Rotate groups to a new 

activity each week as suggested in Session Plans. Use activities 

according to your needs and desires. Repeat favorite activities 

or those needing extra emphasis or attention. 

1 

2 

❑ 

❑ 

❑ 

❑ 

❑ 

❑ 

❑ 

❑ 

3 

4 

Song Rehearsal Order 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

Materials to Gather 

❑ 

❑ 

❑ 

❑ 

❑ 

❑ 

❑ 

❑ 

8 


Session 1 

Sessions 

Session 2 

Early Arriver Activities 1-2 (before session 

begins)—Teacher’s Guide, p. 48 



TIPS: 

•To limit Small Groups to three to four children, 

divide into four groups by duplicating Item 15 

(Truth Sleuth ID Cards) on four different colors 

of paper. 

•Write children’s names on the Name line. The 

rest will be completed when children rotate to 

Activity C. Use ID cards each week. 

•Threes enjoy being called by name. 

Small Groups 

All groups do Activity A, Step 1. 

Large Group 

1. Play “Wonderful Mystery” as children sway to 

Large Group. 

2. “Wonderful Mystery”—Teach Steps 1-2. 

3. Play “Wonderful Mystery” as children tiptoe to 

Small Groups. 

Small Groups 

All groups do Activity A, Step 2. 

Large Group 

4. Play “My Best Friend Is Jesus” as children tiptoe 

back to Large Group. 

5. “My Best Friend Is Jesus”—Teach Steps 1-2. 

6. Ask a volunteer to pray, thanking Jesus for 

being our best friend. 

Small Groups 

Group 1—Activity B, Steps 1-2 

Group 2—Activity C, Step 1 

Group 3—Activity D, Step 1 

Group 4—Activity E, Steps 1-3 

Large Group 

1. Play “A Mystery for You” as children tiptoe to 

Large Group. 

2. “A Mystery for You”—Teach Steps 1-2. 

3. “My Best Friend Is Jesus”—Review Step 2. 

Teach Step 3. 

4. Play “My Best Friend Is Jesus” as children “fly” 

back to Small Groups. 

Small Groups 


Group 2—Activity C, Steps 2-3 

Group 3—Activity D, Steps 2-3 

Group 4—Activity E, Step 4 

Large Group 

5. Play “Wonderful Mystery” as children flap arms 

like birds back to Large Group. 

6. “Wonderful Mystery”—Teach Steps 3-4. 

7. Pray, thanking God for the children and the 

wonderful mysteries He shows us. 

OPTION: Place Mystery Feet (Item 2) toward Small 

Groups each week for children to follow. 


Sessions 

Session 3 Session 4 



Early Arriver Activity 7 (before session begins)— 

Teacher’s Guide, p. 49 

Small Groups 





Small Groups 





Large Group 

1. Play “Wonderful Mystery” as children move to 

Large Group. 

2. “Wonderful Mystery”—Review Step 4. Teach 

Step 5. 

3. “My Best Friend Is Jesus”—Teach Steps 4-5. 

4. Play “My Best Friend Is Jesus” as children sway 


Large Group 

1. Play “Jesus, I Love You This Much” as children 

step lightly to Large Group. 

2. “Jesus, I Love You This Much”—Teach Steps 1-2. 

3. “A Mystery for You”—Teach Steps 4-5. Review 

Step 1. 

4. Play “A Mystery for You” as children march 


Small Groups 





Small Groups 





Large Group 

5. Play “A Mystery for You” as children move back 

to Large Group. 

6. “A Mystery for You”—Review Step 2. Teach Step 3. 

7. Choose a volunteer to pray, thanking God for 

letting everyone come to music time. 

Large Group 

5. Play “Wind Blows Through the Leaves” as 

children “flutter like leaves” back to Large 

Group. 

6. “Wind Blows Through the Leaves” (Action 

Songs)—Teach Step 1. 

7. “Wonderful Mystery”—Review Step 4. 

8. Choose a volunteer to pray, telling Jesus we 

love Him. 


Sessions 


Early Arriver Activity 8 (before session begins)— 

Teacher’s Guide, p. 49 



Small Groups 





Small Groups 

Group 1—Activity F, Steps 1-3 

Group 2—Activity G, Steps 1-3 

Group 3—Activity H, Steps 1-2 

Group 4—Activity I, Steps 1 and/or 2 

Large Group 

1. Play “Exercise” as children crawl to Large 

Group. 

2. “Exercise” (Action Songs)—Teach Step 1. 

3. “A Mystery for You”—Teach Step 7. 

4. “Jesus, I Love You This Much”—Review Step 2. 

Teach Steps 3-4. 


step to Small Groups. 

Large Group 

1. Play “Sing Thanks to God” as children “waddle” 


2. “Sing Thanks to God”— Teach Step 1. 

3. “Wonderful Mystery”—Teach Activity D, Step 1. 

Review “Wonderful Mystery,” Step 4. 

4. “Jesus, I Love You This Much”—Teach Step 5. 


move like robots to Small Groups. 

Small Groups 





Small Groups 

Group 1—Activity F, Review Step 3 

Group 2—Activity G, Step 4 



Large Group 

6. Play “Autumn Leaves” as children float back to 

Large Group. 

7. “Autumn Leaves”—Teach Step 1. 

8. “Wind Blows Through the Leaves” (Action 

Songs)—Review Step 1. Teach Steps 2-3. 

9. Pray, thanking God for creating His world. 

Large Group 

6. Play “Jesus, I Love You” as children stroll back 


7. “Jesus, I Love You”—Teach Step 1. 

8. “Autumn Leaves”—Review Step 1. Teach Step 2. 

9. Show Item 17a. Point to the highlighted part of 

the map and the star. Tell children the star 

represents Niger (NIGH-jer) and that many 

people in that part of the world do not know 

Jesus. Pray for missionaries in Niger. 


Sessions 





begins)—Teacher’s Guide, pp. 50-51 

Small Groups 





Small Groups 





Large Group 

1. Play “4 Rhythm Track” as children walk and clap 

back to Large Group. 

2. “4 Rhythm Track” (Action Songs)—Teach Step 1. 

3. “Sing Thanks to God”—Teach Steps 2-4. 

4. Play “Sing Thanks to God” as children pretend 

to drive a car to Small Groups. 

Large Group 

1. Play “Wonderful Mystery” as children pretend to 

jog to Large Group. 

2. “Wonderful Mystery”—Review Step 4. 

3. “Jesus, I Love You”—Teach Step 4. 

4. Play “Jesus, I Love You” as children soar like 

eagles to Small Groups. 

Small Groups 





Small Groups 





Large Group 

5. Play “Autumn Leaves” as children sniff like 

Schnif back to Large Group. 

6. “Autumn Leaves”—Teach Steps 3-4. 

7. “Jesus, I Love You”—Teach Steps 2-3. 

8. Pray, asking Jesus to help us love Him every 

day. 

Large Group 

5. Play “Thank You, God, for Everything” as children 

pretend to step on leaves back to Large Group. 

6. “Thank You, God, for Everything”—Teach Step 1. 

7. “Sing Thanks to God”—Teach Step 5. 

8. Allow volunteers to pray, thanking God for someone 

special. 


Sessions 






Small Groups 





Small Groups 

Group 1—Activity J, Steps 1-2 

Group 2—Activity K, Steps 1-2 

Group 3—Activity M, Steps 1-2 

Group 4—Activity N, Steps 1-3 

Large Group 

1. Play “Exercise” (Action Songs) as children jump 


2. “Exercise” (Action Songs)—Review Step 1. 

3. “4 Rhythm Track” (Action Songs)—Review Step 1. 

Teach Step 2. 

4. “Autumn Leaves”—Review Steps 3-4. 

5. Play “Autumn Leaves” as children twirl like 

leaves to Small Groups. 

Small Groups 





Large Group 

6. Play “Thank You, God, for Everything” as children 

fly like airplanes back to Large Group. 

7. “Thank You, God, for Everything”—Teach 

Steps 2-3. 

8. Allow volunteers to sing thanks to God on 

sol-mi, such as Thank You, God, for flowers. 

Large Group 

1. Play “See the Shepherds” as children move to 

Large Group. 

2. “See the Shepherds”—Teach Step 1. 

3. “Autumn Leaves”—Review Step 4. Teach Step 5. 


5. Play “4 Rhythm Track” as children pretend to 

skate to Small Groups. 

Small Groups 

Group 1—Activity J, Step 3 


Group 3—Activity M, Step 3 

Group 4—Activity N, Review Step 3 

Large Group 

6. Play “Thank You, God, for Everything” while 

children float like leaves in a breeze back to 

Large Group. 

7. “Thank You, God, for Everything”—Teach 

Step 4. 

8. Ask a volunteer to pray, thanking God for things 

He made. 


Sessions 






Small Groups 





Small Groups 





Large Group 

1. Play “A Mystery for You” as children tiptoe to 

Large Group. 

2. “A Mystery for You”—Review Step 7. 


4. “My Best Friend Is Jesus”—Review Step 3. 

5. Play “My Best Friend Is Jesus” while children 

pretend to skate to Small Groups. 

Small Groups 





Large Group 

6. Play “Celebrate” while children jog back to 

Large Group. 

7. “Celebrate”—Teach Step 1. 

8. “Jesus, I Love You”—Review Steps 2 and 4. 

Teach Step 5. 

9. Pray, thanking God that we can celebrate Him at 

church. 

Large Group 

1. Play “Celebrate” as children walk and clap to 

Large Group. 

2. “Celebrate”—Review Step 1. 

3. “Tiny Little Baby”—Teach Steps 1-2. 

4. Play “Tiny Little Baby” as children tiptoe to 

Small Groups. 

Small Groups 





Large Group 

5. Play “See the Shepherds” as children move 

their arms like elephants’ trunks back to Large 

Group. 

6. “See the Shepherds”—Teach Steps 2-3. 

7. Pray, thanking God for sending Baby Jesus to 

earth. 

8. Sing “Jesus, I Love You This Much.” 


Sessions 



begins)—Teacher’s Guide, pp. 52-53 



Small Groups 





Large Group 

1. Play “Exercise” as children march to Large 

Group. 


3. “See the Shepherds”—Teach Step 4. 

4. “Tiny Little Baby”—Teach Step 3. 

5. Play “Tiny Little Baby” as children skate to 

Small Groups. 

Small Groups 





Large Group 

6. Play “Celebrate” as children gallop to Large 

Group. 

7. “Celebrate”—Review Step 1. Teach Step 2. 

Small Groups 

Groups 1 and 2—Activity L, Steps 1-2 

Groups 3 and 4—Activity O, Steps 1-3 

Large Group 

1. Play “See the Shepherds” as children “clomp” 

like donkeys to Large Group. 

2. “See the Shepherds”—Review Step 1. Teach 

Step 5. 

3. “Tiny Little Baby”—Review Step 2. Teach Step 4. 

4. Play “Tiny Little Baby” as children glide to Small 

Groups. 

Small Groups 

Groups 1 and 2—Activity L, Step 3 

Groups 3 and 4—Activity O, Review Step 3. Teach 

Step 4. 

Large Group 

5. Play “Celebrate” as children “snow ski” back 


6. “Celebrate”—Review Steps 1-2. 

7. Allow a volunteer to pray, thanking God for 

Jesus’ birthday. 

8. Pray, thanking God for voices to sing to Him. 


Session 15 

Sessions 

Extra Session 

(Optional) 



Early Arriver Activity N (before session begins)— 

Teacher’s Guide, pp. 79-80 

Small Groups 

Groups 1 and 2—Activity O, Steps 1-3 

Groups 3 and 4—Activity L, Steps 1-2 

Large Group 

1. Play “Celebrate” as children wave their arms to 

Large Group. 

2. “Celebrate”—Sing with CD. 


4. “See the Shepherds”—Teach Steps 6-7. 

5. Play “See the Shepherds” as children walk like 

upright polar bears to Small Groups. 

Small Groups 

Groups 1 and 2—Activity O, Review Step 3. Teach 

Step 4. 

Groups 3 and 4—Activity L, Step 3. 

Large Group 

6. Play “Tiny Little Baby” as children lightly “float” 


7. “Tiny Little Baby”—Teach Step 5. 

8. “Jesus, I Love You”—Review Step 3. 

9. Sing “Jesus, I Love You” unaccompanied, as a 

closing prayer. 

Small Groups 

Repeat favorite activities, especially those with 

spiritual/musical concepts not covered or 

deserving extra attention. Also see the preschoolspecific 

section of the Plans & Pluses, Vol. 9 

CD-ROM. 

Large Group 

1. “Wonderful Mystery”—Review Steps 4-6. 

2. “Celebrate”—Review Steps 1-2. 



5. “Thank You, God, for Everything”—Review Step 1. 

6. Play “Wonderful Mystery” as children tiptoe to 

Small Groups. 

Small Groups 

Repeat other favorite activities or choose activities 

from Plans & Pluses, Vol. 9 CD-ROM. 

Large Group 

7. Play “A Mystery for You” as children sneak like 

detectives back to Large Group. 

8. Review favorite songs. Teach unlearned or 

skipped song steps. 

NOTE: All materials are covered in Sessions 1-15. 


Song Plans 

Action Songs 

Autumn Leaves 

Celebrate 

Teacher’s Guide...... 22-25, 51 

Songbook....................23, 21 

Items.................... 5, 10, 14b 

CD............12/26, 11/25, 29 

DVD....................................3 

Teacher’s Guide.......26-27,70 

Songbook..........................20 

Item..................................10 

CD..............................10/24 

DVD....................................4 

Teacher’s Guide...........28, 50 

Songbook..........................18 

CD................................9/23 

DVD....................................8 

Jesus, I Love You 

Teacher’s Guide........... 29-30, 

..................................52, 81 

Songbook..........................12 

CD................................6/20 

DVD....................................9 

Jesus, I Love 

You This Much 


Songbook............................6 

Items......................... 2, 6a-b 

CD................................2/16 

DVD....................................2 

My Best Friend 

Is Jesus 


Songbook............................7 

Item....................................2 

CD................................3/17 

A Mystery for You 

Teacher’s Guide............35-36 

..................................48, 49 

Songbook............................4 

Items.....1a, 1c, 1d, 2, 14a-b, 16 

CD................................1/15 

DVD .............................1, 10 

See the 

Shepherds 


Songbook..........................14 

Items.......1a, 1c, 1e, 2 (opt.), 12 

CD................................8/22 

DVD..................................10 

Sing Thanks 

to God 

Teacher’s Guide............ 39-40 

Songbook............................8 

Items..... 1a, 1b, 2 (opt.), 14a-b 

CD................................4/18 

DVD..................................10 

Thank You, God, 

for Everything 


Songbook..........................10 

Item..................................13 

CD................................5/19 

Tiny Little Baby 

Teacher’s Guide............ 43-44 

Songbook..........................13 

Items....................... 3a-d, 20 

CD................................7/21 

DVD..................................12 

Wonderful Mystery 


............................48, 51, 64 

Songbook..........................24 

Items...................1a, 2 (opt.) 

Activity...............................D 

CD...................13/27, 14/28 

DVD...............................7, 10 


✃ 

Action Songs 

3 BIBLICAL TRUTH: God has made me able to do many things well. 

Get Ready 

CD 

12/26 

CD 

11/25 

• Songs for Music Time 

Songbook, pp. 23, 21 

• Items 5, 10, 14b 

• Bible marked at Psalm 

147:18 

• Cut apart Item 5. 

DVD 

3 

CD 

29 

• Duplicate Item 10 to provide 

one or two leaves per child. 

Color, using red, yellow, 

orange, brown, or green. 

Or duplicate on colored 

paper. 

TIP: Laminate and save 

leaves for use throughout 

the unit. 

Exercise 

“God helps us live and move” (Acts 17:28). 

1 Energize the body. 

o Energize the body with CD 12 by marching on the q beat 

the first time through the song. 

o Raise and lower arms, as if lifting weights, on the h beat 

the second time through the song. 

o Mix up Item 5 (Mystery Moves Cards). Two children each 

select a movement card. 

o Sing the song twice, using one movement each time. 

o Repeat with CD 12 or 26 and two other movements, as 

desired. 

TIP: Movements are shown on p. 25. 

Wind Blows Through the Leaves 

“God makes the wind blow” (Psalm 147:18). 

1 Sway to the music. 

o Ask what trees do in the wind. (sway) 

o All sway to the i beat with hands moving in front of the 

body as you play CD 11, verse 1. During verse 2, all raise 

hands over head and sway. 

o Give children Item 10 (Autumn Leaves) to hold. Tell them 

to freeze with their leaves until the music starts. 

o Play CD 25 as all sway, using leaves. 

2 Sing. 

o Sing meas. 13-14, using the body scale as children copy. 

sol 

mi 


o Repeat several times. 

o Show Item 14b (Quiet Card), singing meas. 13-14 quietly. 

o Allow children, who will, to echo. 

o Sing verse 1. At meas. 13, hold up Item 14b (p) as all sing 

quietly. 

o Repeat with verse 2. 

3 Teach a spiritual truth. 

o Ask children who makes the wind blow. (God) 

o Read from the Bible: “God makes the wind blow” (Psalm 147:18). 

o Explain that the second part of the song tells two things 

God made. 

o Give three clues for each of these things. Remind children to 

listen to all three clues and to raise their hands if they know the 

answer. 

• Mystery #1 (Wind) 

Clue 1: You cannot see it. 

Clue 2: It blows your hair around. 

Clue 3: The song says that it makes this sound, Ooo, Ooo. 

• Mystery #2 (Trees) 

Clue 1: They have bark. 

Clue 2: They have branches. 

Clue 3: Birds like to build their nests in them. 

o Choose someone sitting quietly with hand raised to answer. 

o Play CD 11 as all sway to the i beat on verse 1 and tiptoe to the 

j beat on verse 2. 

o Pray, thanking God for the wind and trees. 

4 Rhythm Track 

“God helps us live and move” (Acts 17:28). 

1 Speak “Truth Sleuth.” 

o Pat a slow h beat and very slowly speak the following, one or two 

mi SP 1.Truth Sleuth “Action Songs”.MTTG.3.1 

4 

œ 

I 

measures at a time, as children echo. 

! ! 

œ œ œ œ œ 

want to be a truth sleuth, 

! ! 


œ œ œ 

œ 

! 

œ 

! ! 

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 

seek - ing what the Bi - ble says, 

! 

œ œ œ œ 

Find-ing all it teach - es me a - bout the way that I should 

o Repeat. 

o All pat the steady h beat as you speak the rhyme with CD 29. 

Note: There are two measures of introduction before entering the first 

time. Speak the rhyme a total of three times. 

œ 

! 

˙ 

be. 

! 

Œ 


2 Discuss a biblical truth. 

o What is a sleuth? (Someone who searches for and discovers 

something.) A Truth Sleuth is one who searches for and 

discovers truth. 

o Tell children that the Bible says, “I have treasured Your word in 

my heart so that I may not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). 

o Explain that learning the truths in the Bible helps us do the things 

God wants us to do. 

3 Sing. 

o Slowly sing the following melody one measure at a time. 

Encourage children to repeat each measure. 


& b b b 4 4 

œ 

I 

! 

œ 

œ œ œ œ ! œ 


! 

œ 

! 

œ œ œ œ 

seek- ing what the Bi - ble says, 

œ 

œ 

& b b ! 

b œ 

! 

œ œ œ œ 

œ 

œ œ 

Find-ing all it teach-es me a - 

! 

œ 

! 

œ œ œ œ 

bout the way that I should 

œ 

! 

˙ 

be. 

! 

Œ 

o Repeat several times as more children begin to sing with you. 

o Pray, asking God to help us learn more about God and the Bible. 

4 Review and challenge. 

o All review the “Truth Sleuth” rhyme (Step 1), patting the steady 

h beat. 

o Sing the melody above, continuing to pat the beat. 

o Repeat with CD 29. Children may sing with you as they feel 

comfortable. 



✃ 

✃ 

Get Ready 

CD 

10/24 


Songbook, p. 20 

• Item 10 

DVD 

4 

Autumn Leaves 

X 

SCRIPTURE: “God made the trees” (Genesis 1:11). 

3 BIBLICAL TRUTH: God made the seasons. 

1 Sing, move, and learn. 

o Children watch and copy as you show the body scale for 

sol-mi-sol and sing Thank You, God. 

• step bells 

• Duplicate Item 10 and cut 

out leaves. Color the two 

leaves that are the same red. 

Color two other leaves, one 

yellow and one orange. 

• Duplicate and cut out Item 

10, one or two leaves per 

child. Color, using red, 

yellow, orange, brown, or 

green. Or duplicate on 

colored paper. 

Thank You God 

o Repeat several times as children continue to do the body 

scale movements. (Some children may begin to sing with 

you.) 

o Display Autumn Leaves (Item 10) on a wall. Put a red one 

high, the yellow lower, and the other red leaf the same 

height as the first (representing sol-mi-sol). 

o Ask what the leaves show. (Two are the same, one is 

different.) 

o Sing Thank You, God, pointing to a leaf for each word 

(red, yellow, red). 

o Children sing with you as you point to each leaf. 

o Volunteers sing alone as you point to the leaves. 

o All sing Thank You, God as you point to the leaves. 

TIP: Accept the level of participation and accuracy 3s give. 

OPTION: Use real leaves. 

TIP: Laminate and save 

leaves for use throughout 

the unit. 

• microphone (an old real one, 

a plastic one, a dowel rod 

with a tennis ball on it, a 

spoon, or a hairbrush) 

2 Sing. 

o Sing meas. 5-6. 

o Children name other things for which they thank God. 

o Volunteers sing their responses (mom and dad, friends 

at church, food to eat) on sol-mi-sol (pitches in meas. 5-6) 

into a pretend microphone. 

o Pray, thanking God for making all things. 


3 Energize with movement. 

o Give each child a leaf from Item 10. 

o Sing meas. 7-8 several times as children move leaves from 

their feet to their heads. 

o Ask children to tell which way they moved their leaves. (up) 

o Reinforce this by playing step bells (C-D-E-F-G). Ask which way 

the melody moved. (up) 

o Sing meas. 7-8 while playing the step bells. Children move their 

leaves from their feet to their heads. 

o Help volunteers play step bells as all sing meas. 7-8 with 

words. 

4 Sing. 

o All sing meas. 5-8, moving leaves from feet to head during 

meas. 7-8. 

o Echo sing meas. 9, crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch. 

o Ask children if they have ever noticed the leaves crunching 

under their feet. 

o All step in place, pretending to step on crunching leaves as you 

sing meas. 9 two times. 

o Sing meas. 9 (without stepping) two more times. Encourage 

children to join you. 

o Sing meas. 9-12, holding up orange, yellow, and red leaves 

as the words direct. 

o Repeat as some children begin to sing with you. 

5 Move again. 

o Sing meas. 11-12 as all move leaves from heads to feet. 

o Reinforce this by playing step bells (G-F-E-D-C). Ask whether they 

are moving up or down. (down) 

o Sing meas. 11-12 while playing the step bells. Children move 

their leaves from their heads to their feet. 

o Sing the entire song. Move leaves up at meas. 7-8 and down 

at meas. 11-12. Sway with leaves during the rest of the song. 

o Collect leaves as all sit tall and straight to sing the song with 

CD 24. 


Get Ready 

CD 

9/23 

DVD 

8 



NOTE: See the second half 

of DVD 8 for this song 

plan. 

Celebrate 

X 

SCRIPTURE: “Tell the good news about Jesus” (Mark 16:15). 

3 BIBLICAL TRUTH: We celebrate at Christmas because Jesus 

was born. 

1 Demonstrate a hand game. 

o All pat the steady h beat as you speak meas. 5-6. 

o All pat and speak the phrase together several times. 

o Tell children to take turns giving you (or another teacher) a 

high five on Him. 

o Sing meas. 5-6, repeating until each child has gently given 

an adult a high five on Him. 

2 Play the hand game with the song. 

o Pair children, so they partner with a neighbor. 

o Sing meas. 5-6, as all high-five their partner gently with both 

hands on Him. 

o Ask children whom we celebrate? (Him/Jesus) 

o Sing entire song slowly as all do hand game at meas. 5-8 

and 13-16. 

o Ask a volunteer to tell what we are celebrating about Jesus 

at this time of year? (His birth/birthday) 

o Sing with the CD, using hand game at appropriate places as 

children are able. 


Get Ready 

CD 

6/20 

DVD 

9 



• Bible marked at John 21:16 

and Psalm 150 

TIP: If your church has a 

signing ministry, consider 

asking someone from that 

group to help you teach 

the sign language. 


X 

SCRIPTURE: “I love You, Jesus” (John 21:17). 

3 BIBLICAL TRUTH: Jesus wants people to love Him. 

1 Listen, listen. 

o Play verse 1 on the CD as children raise their hands 

when they hear the phrase Jesus, I love You. 

2 Teach sign language. 

o A volunteer opens a Bible marked at John 21:16. Tell the 

children that this Bible phrase is about one of Jesus’ disciples 

saying, “I love You, Jesus.” 

o Demonstrate sign language for the phrase Jesus, (I) love 

You. Explain that some people cannot hear, so they speak, 

using their hands. 

o Teach the sign for Jesus. Children sign Jesus with you. 

o Teach the sign for love. Children sign with you. 

o Repeat for the sign You. 

o Sign the entire phrase as children copy. 

o Sing verse 1, very slowly, as all sign together. 

o Play verse 1 on the CD as all sign. 

3 Sing and sign I love you. 

o Explain that it is good to tell Jesus that we love Him. 

He loves us so much, and He wants us to love Him, too. 

o All sing the song to say, “I love you,” to Jesus. 

o You sing as children copy your sign language on verse 1. 


4 Sign a new word/phrase. 

o Teach the sign for praise as children copy. 

o Practice the phrase Jesus, (I) praise You. 

o Sing verse 2, slowly, as all sign together. 

o Play the CD. Sign the song as children copy. 


o Discuss that the Bible tells us to praise the Lord. 

o Children listen for ways to praise the Lord as you read 

Psalm 150:1,3-6. 

o Volunteers tell what they heard. 

o Remind children that the last thing you read said, “Let everything 

that breathes praise the Lord.” That means us! 

5 Sing and sign praise. 

o You sing and all sign the second verse as praise to God. 

o All sing both verses with the CD. (Children sign as they are able). 

o Pray, thanking God for His love and goodness to us. 

Jesus love You/God 

(simplified) 

praise 


✃ 

✃ 

Get Ready 

CD 

2/16 



• Items 2, 6a-b 

DVD 

2 

• Bible marked at 1 John 2:3 

• Duplicate and cut out Item 2 

for each child and teacher. 

OPTIONS: 

• For variety, duplicate 

Item 2 on different 

colors of paper. 

• For durability, laminate 

Item 2 for each child 

and teacher. 


This Much 

X 

SCRIPTURE: “Love God very much” (Mark 12:30). 

3 BIBLICAL TRUTH: I can sing songs to tell God I love Him. 

1 Practice rhythmic patterns. 

o Show Sound and Silence Shoe Prints (Items 6a-b) in the 

following four-beat pattern: 

o Say, “step, step, sh, sh,” as you point to Items 6a-b. 

o Place two Mystery Feet (Item 2) on the floor. 

o Step in q rhythm on each shoe print, saying, “Step, step.” 

o Repeat, adding silent beats 3 and 4 with a “sh, sh” 

index finger to the mouth in the same rhythm. 

o Repeat again, asking children to speak, “Step, step, 

sh, sh,” with you. 

o Distribute Item 2. Place on the floor in front of each child’s 

feet. 

o Say, “Step, step, sh, sh, move with me please,” as all 

step on one shoe print, then the other, and “sh, sh” 

with index fingers to lips for rests. 


2 Sing and move. 

o Sing, “Jesus, sh sh” in meas. 3, 5, and 7. Review “step, 

step, sh, sh” movements with Item 2. 

o Repeat, encouraging children to sing with you. 

o Sing verses 1-2, adding movements on meas. 3, 5, and 7. 

o Sing and move with CD. 

o Demonstrate stretching arms out to sides on this much 

(meas. 10). 


3 Discuss the biblical truth. 

o Ask children what the song said. (Jesus, I love You) 

o Open the Bible to 1 John 2:3, telling them that the Bible says 

we can show God we love Him by obeying Him. 

o Ask for examples of ways we can obey God. (Do what our parents 

say, be kind, share with others, etc.) 

o Pray, asking God to help us obey Him. 

4 Sing. 

o All sing verse 1 as a prayer response. 

o Sing the song again, stepping on the first two beats of 

meas. 3, 5, and 7. Clap on beats 3 and 4. 

5 Talk and sing about thankfulness. 

o Volunteers share two things for which they are thankful. All sing 

verse 3 with outstretched arms at meas. 10. 

o Remind children that Jesus wants us to be thankful. Tell the 

story below. 

The Man Who Thanked Jesus 

One day Jesus was walking. Ten men who had a bad skin disease 

yelled out to Jesus. They wanted to be healed and begged Jesus 

to have mercy on them. Jesus told the men to go see the spiritual 

leaders. As they went to see them, they were healed. One man 

was so happy to be healed that he went back and thanked Jesus. 

Jesus asked where the other nine men were. The man did not 

know. Jesus knew ten men were healed, but only one came back 

to say, “Thank you.” It made Jesus happy that this man was 

thankful enough to come back and tell Him so. 

o Tell children we also want to make Jesus glad, and thanking Him 

is one way we do that. 

o Volunteers pray, each thanking God for one or two things. 

o All sing verse 3 together. 

o Play CD as all sing the entire song together. 

TIP: The sign language for “Jesus, I Love You” and “My Best Friend Is Jesus” 

can be used with “Jesus, I Love You This Much.” 


✃ 

Get Ready 

CD 

3/17 



• Item 2 

• Duplicate and cut out Item 2 

for each child and teacher. 

• lummi or rhythm sticks 

OPTIONS: 






and teacher. 

My Best Friend 

Is Jesus 

X 

SCRIPTURE: “Jesus said, ‘You are My friends’” (John 15:14). 

3 BIBLICAL TRUTH: God wants to be my friend. 

1 Talk about friends. 

o Ask for volunteers to tell about a friend they have. 

o Ask them to tell some things they do for their friends. 

(Give/make a birthday card, play together, share toys, etc.) 

2 Step and play. 

o Distribute Mystery Feet (Item 2). Place on the floor in front 

of each child’s feet. 

o Play CD as all step on their mystery feet to the q beat. 

o Sit and pat legs to the steady h beat. 

mi SP 4.My Best Friend Is Jesus.MTTG.3.1 

o Speak the following as children pat with you: 

2 

4 . œ œ œ œ . 

Best 

Friend, 

best 

Friend 

3 Play rhythm sticks. 

o Distribute lummi or rhythm sticks, directing children to keep 

them in resting position (one stick on each leg) until time to 

play. 

TIP: For better classroom management, place sticks under chairs 

before session begins. 

o Speak again as children play lummi sticks on the steady 

h beat. 

o Sing the song as all play on the h beat (first beat of each 

measure). 

o Play CD as all continue with lummi sticks. 

4 Introduce your best friend. 

o Ask children if they know that Jesus said, “You are My 

friends” (John 15:14). Tell them that Jesus loves us more 

than anyone, even more than a parent, brother, or sister. 


o Tell them that because He is the best friend we could ever have, 

we should do good things for Him. Ask what the song said we can 

do for Jesus. (Love Him) 

o Sing the song, using as many substitute verses as children’s 

attention spans allow. 

o Ask a volunteer to pray, telling Jesus that she loves Him. 

5 Learn sign language. 

o Show the sign language for love Him as children copy. 

o All sing verse 1 and sign (I) love Him. 

o Tell children that you are going to sing another verse of the song, 

but you will sign, rather than sing, a “mystery” word. Children try 

to guess what the missing word is. (thank) 

o If no one guesses correctly, give a clue: It is something you 

should say when someone gives you a gift. 

o Children practice the sign with you. 

o You sing as all sign verse 2. 

o All sing verses 1-2 with the CD. (Children may sign as they are able). 

OPTION: Repeat with praise and serve (verses 3 and 4) as time, interest, 

and ability permit. 

Love 

Him/God 

(simplified) 

Thank 

Praise 

Serve 


✃ 

✃ 

Get Ready 

A Mystery for You 

X 

SCRIPTURE: “All things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27). 

3 BIBLICAL TRUTH: God can do things people cannot do. 

CD 

1/15 

DVD 

1, 10 

NOTE: This is an alternate preschool theme song for The Wonderful 

Mystery theme. 

✃ ✃ 



• Items 1a, 1c, 1d, 2, 14a-b, 

16 

• Duplicate and cut out 

Item 2, one set per child. 

• Display Truth Sleuth (Item 

1a). 

• Prepare a mystery box in 

which to hide Truth Sleuth’s 

costume (Item 1c). Attach 

Item Id to Item 1c with tape. 

• Duplicate Item 2 (Mystery 

Feet) and place on the floor 

leading to the mystery box. 

Leave some space between 

each set of shoe prints. 

• Duplicate Item 16, one per 

child. 

OPTIONS: 






and teacher. 

TIP: Wonderful Mystery art 

can be printed from Plans 

& Pluses, Vol. 9 (978-1- 

4158-3354-4). 

1 Move on mystery feet. 

o Instruct each child to go to a pair of shoe prints (Mystery 

Feet, Item 2). 

o As you play the CD, children walk in place to the 

steady q beat on the Mystery Feet. 

TIP: For easier classroom management, write each child’s name on 

a pair of shoe prints. Help children find their names for Step 1. 

2 Sing quietly. 

o Quietly tell children to stand still on the shoe prints. 

o Show the Quiet Card (p) (Item 14b), telling them it means 

to sing quietly. 

o Whisper for children to listen as you quietly sing phrase 1 

(meas. 5-6) on loo. 

o Repeat several times, as children sing quietly with you. 

o Sing meas. 13-14 on loo two times. 

o Children sing phrase with you twice on loo as you 

show the p sign. 

3 Move on mystery steps and sing. 

o Children walk in place on the q beat, stepping on the shoe 

prints, with CD 15. Sing loo on meas. 5-6 and 13-14. 

4 Tell a Bible story. 

o Sit in a circle. Volunteers name something the song says 

only God can do. (cause a tree to shed leaves and 

grow them back again, watch over every boy and girl) 

o Tell them you have a true story about something only God 

can do. 


o A child follows footprints to find Truth Sleuth’s costume (Items 1c-d). 

Attach Items 1c-d on top of Item 1a so Truth Sleuth is dressed as 

a Bible time boy and ask what he is. 

o Tell the story from Item 16—The Boy with the Loaves and Fish. 

OPTION: If time allows, children can color Item 16 and discuss the story; 

otherwise, they can take home the sheet to share with their families. 

5 Teach two phrases. 

mi A Mystery for You.SP 1 MTK.3.1 

o Pat the steady beat (hearts), and say the following twice: 

! ! 

! 

4 œ 

o Children pat and speak it with you twice. 

© info? 

o Echo sing meas. 5-6 twice. 

o Sing meas. 13-14. Ask who “detected” what was different from 

the other phrase (I can solve that instead of I have a). Repeat if 

they need to hear the phrases again. 

o Children sing both phrases with you. 

6 Sing loudly. 

! 

œ. 

œ œ. 

œ œ. 

I have a mys - ter - y for 

mi SP 6.A Mystery for You.MTTG.3.1 

o Speak meas. 7-8 (below) in rhythm twice: 

& 4 œ œ. 

œ œ. 

œ œ. 

o Children repeat it twice with you. 

o Sing meas. 7-8. 

o Show children the Loud Card (f) (Item 14a). Explain that it 

means to sing loudly (not an outside/shouting voice). 

o Demonstrate, singing meas. 7-8. 

o All sing meas. 7-8 loudly as you show Item 14a. 

o Children listen for what is a little different as you sing 

meas. 15-16. (different words) 

o Repeat, as children sing with you. 

7 Step and sing. 

œ 

o Children step in place on Mystery Feet to the q beat with the CD. 

Encourage them to sing the familiar phrases (meas. 5-8, 13-16) 

with you as the music plays. 

o Sing the song again without the CD or movement. 

o Show the p sign, asking children to sing quietly on meas. 5-8. 

o Show the f sign, leading children to sing loudly on meas. 13-16. 

o All sing the song with CD. 

˙. 

you. 

Some - thing that seems too hard to 

œ 

. ˙ 

do. 

Œ 

Œ 

TIP: You may sing meas. 9-12 primarily by yourself. 


✃ 

✃ 

Get Ready 

CD 

8/22 

DVD 

10 



• Items 1a, 1c, 1e, 2 (optional), 

12 

• Bible marked at Luke 2:20 

• Display Truth Sleuth 

(Item 1a). 

• Add Item 1e to Item 1c. 

• Prepare a mystery box to 

hide Truth Sleuth’s costume 

(Items 1c, 1e). 



leading to the mystery box 

(optional). 

• lummi or rhythm sticks 

See the Shepherds 

X 

SCRIPTURE: “Shepherds thanked God for Jesus” (Luke 2:20). 

3 BIBLICAL TRUTH: I can thank God for sending Jesus to earth. 

1 Play instruments. 

o Play lummi or rhythm sticks on the steady h beat with the 

CD. Play only through verse 2, stopping at meas. 22. 

2 Discover Truth Sleuth’s costume. 

3 Sing. 

o Select a well-behaved child to find the mystery box with 

tonight’s costume (Items 1c, e) for Truth Sleuth. 

o Attach costume to Item 1a. 

o Ask who Truth Sleuth is tonight. (shepherd) 

o Open a Bible marked at Luke 2:20 and read, “Shepherds 

thanked God for Jesus.” 

o Ask what the shepherds did when Jesus was born. 

(Examples: went to see Jesus, worshiped Him, thanked 

God for Jesus) 

o Echo sing meas. 5-6, pointing to shepherds and sheep on 

the Christmas Ornament Rebus (Item 12). 

o Echo sing meas. 7-8, pointing to Baby Jesus on Item 12. 



& Pluses, Vol. 9 (978-1- 

4158-3354-4). 

o Echo sing meas. 9-10, pointing to the manger and star 

on Item 12. 

o Sing meas. 11-12, pointing to wise men on Item 12. 

o Sing meas. 5-12, pointing to the corresponding 

pictures on Item 12. 



4 Sing and move. 

o Sing meas. 13-20 while doing the following movements on the 

steady h beat: 

• meas. 13-14—Tap index fingers beside eyes four times. 

• meas. 15-16—Touch ears four times. 

• meas. 17-18—Clap hands silently four times. 

• meas. 19-20/21-22—With hands in front of body, palms 

up, pulse hands up and down four times. 

TIP: Be patient with 3s and accept their efforts. Do not correct them. 

5 Sing. 

o Point to pictures on Item 12 as you sing the corresponding words. 

o Do steady beat motions from Step 4 during meas. 13-20. 


o Children play big sticks (made in Activity I), lummi sticks, 

or rhythm sticks, with the CD as follows: 

• verse 1 (meas. 1-12)—Play on the h beat. 

• chorus (meas. 13-20)—Instruments rest. 

• verse 2—Play on the h beat. 

• chorus—Instruments rest. 

• verse 3—Play on the h beat. 

7 Sing the words. 

o Display Christmas Ornament Rebus (Item 12). 

o Point to appropriate pictures while singing the song. 

o On meas. 13-20, encourage children to do movements from 

Step 4. 


✃ 

✃ 

Get Ready 

Sing Thanks to God 

X 

SCRIPTURE: “Sing thanks to God” (Psalm 147:7). 

3 BIBLICAL TRUTH: I can sing thank you to God. 

CD 

4/18 

DVD 

10 

1 Discover and play mystery instruments. 



• Items 1a, 1b, 2 (optional), 

14a-b 

• Bible marked at Psalm 147:7 

and James 1:17 

• Display Truth Sleuth (Item 1a) 


hide Truth Sleuth’s costume 

(Item 1b). 




(optional). 

o Play CD as all rock side to side on the i beat. 

o Tell children that you have a mystery instrument. A teacher 

plays hidden triangle or rhythm sticks. Children put their 

hands on their ears when they know the instrument. 

o A volunteer identifies the instrument. 

o Introduce the instrument and demonstrate the proper way 

to play it as all practice the playing motion. 

OPTION: If you need to combine instruments for all to play, guess 

and demonstrate each before distribution. 

o Distribute instruments. 

o Repeat CD as all play with you on the steady i beat. 

o Share instruments, as needed, and repeat. 

2 Speak and sing. 

OPTION: Claves and finger 

cymbals may be used as 

well. 



& Pluses, Vol. 9 (978-1- 

4158-3354-4). 

o A volunteer opens the marked Bible to Psalm 147:7. 

Read “Sing thanks to God.” 

mi SP 7.Sing Thanks to God.MTTG.3.1 

o Echo speak in rhythm as all pat the steady i beat. 

3 

4 œ 

Sing 

! 

˙ 

thanks 

o Echo sing meas. 9-12 as all continue to pat. 


œ 

to 

! 

˙ 

God 

œ 

and 

! 

˙ 

give 

o Echo sing meas. 17-20 (same rhythm and melody, different 

words). 

œ 

Him 

! 

˙ 

praise. 


o Sing the whole song. 

o Ask children for two reasons the song says we should sing thanks 

to God. (He is the King and the Giver of every good thing.) 

3 Find Truth Sleuth’s costume. 

o A volunteer follows the footprints (Item 2) to the mystery box with 

Truth Sleuth’s costume (Item 1b). 

o Attach costume to Truth Sleuth (Item 1a). 

o Ask a volunteer to tell what the Truth Sleuth is tonight. (a boy) 

o Explain that although we wear regular clothes on the outside, we 

should always be truth sleuths on the inside, looking for what God 

wants us to do and be. 

o Also explain that he is a child, like them, who wants to sing 

thanks to God for every good thing. 

4 Tell good things. 

o Ask children to tell good things God gives, such as Jesus, the 

Bible, family, friends, church, food. 

o Open the Bible and read, “All good gifts are from God” 

(James 1:17). 

o Pray, thanking God for the good things He gives us. Children can 

say sentence prayers if they wish. 

5 Sing loud and quiet. 

o Ask children to sing the two “sing thanks” phrases (meas. 9-12, 

17-20) with you as the CD plays. 

o Sing the song again without the CD. Show the Quiet Card (Item 

14b) for all to sing quietly on meas. 9-12. Sing louder on 

meas. 17-20 as you show the Loud Card (Item 14a). 

o All stand and sing with the CD. 


Get Ready 

CD 

5/19 

Thank You, God, 

for Everything 

X 

SCRIPTURE: “Give thanks to God for everything” 

(Ephesians 5:20). 

3 BIBLICAL TRUTH: God is pleased when I thank Him. 



• Item 13 

• Bible marked at 

Ephesians 5:20 

1 Play Thankful I Spy. 

o Ask children to listen for things to be thankful for as you 

sing verse 1. (birds that sing, everything, that I can be…) 

o Sing Thank You, God and show the following body scale 

movements: 

Thank 

You 

God 

o Repeat several times as children copy. 

o Tell children you “spy” something in the room that is (color) 

for which you are thankful. (Choose anything that is in 

obvious view of children.) 

o Children guess what you spied. 

TIP: When children guess incorrectly, say, “That’s not what I spied, 

but I am thankful for that.” To the correct answer, respond, “Yes, I’m 

thankful for that. It is what I spied.” 

o Encourage all to sing Thank You, God with body scale 

movements. 

o Repeat “I Spy” game with an attentive child “spying.” 

o After each correct answer, all sing Thank You, God with body 

scale movements. 


2 Learn Bible phrase and song. 

mi Thank You, God for Everything.SP 1.MTK 3.1 

3 

4 

œ 

Give 

o Open a marked Bible to Ephesians 5:20. Say: 

! 

˙ œ 

thanks 

to 

! 

˙ œ 

God 

o Repeat as all pat the steady i beat, speaking with you. 

o Sing verse 1. 

for 

! 

˙ œ 

ev 

! 

˙ œ 

- ’ry - thing. E - phe - sians five twen - ty. 

o Show “Thank You, God, for Everything” Poster (Item 13). Point 

to illustrations of day and love and help children understand the 

words they represent. 

o All sing verse 2 as you point to the reminder pictures for day and 

love. 

o Repeat verses 1-2, encouraging children to sing with you as you 

point to pictures on Item 13. 

! 

˙ 

œ 

! 

˙. 

! 

œ œ 

3 Pray. 

o Give volunteers an opportunity to pray, “Thank You, God, for 

______________.” 

o Review the Bible phrase above. All pat and speak it together. 

4 Teach verse 3. 

o Sing verse 3, pointing to Item 13 where appropriate. 

o Children tell types of food for which they are thankful. 

o Sing entire song with the CD, using Item 13. 


✃ 

Get Ready 

Tiny Little Baby 

X 

SCRIPTURE: “Jesus is God’s Son” (Luke 1:35). 

3 BIBLICAL TRUTH: God sent Jesus to earth because He loves 

us. 

CD 

7/21 

DVD 

12 

1 Solve a musical mystery. 



• Items 3a-d, 20 

• jumbo craft stick or tongue 

depressor 

• baby doll 

• Cut out and tape Item 20 to 

a jumbo craft stick or tongue 

depressor 

o Play CD. Ask children what way of moving best fits this 

music—hopping, marching, or rocking. (rocking) 

o Repeat CD as all rock forward and back to the steady 

i beat. 

2 Experience the melody shape. 

o Display “Tiny Little Baby” Melody Map (Item 3a). 

o Let Schnif (Item 20) “sniff” out the melody by moving him 

along the tops of the boxes as you sing meas. 3-4 on loo. 

o Children sing meas. 3-4 with you as Schnif repeats the 

melody map. 

o Sing meas. 5-6 on too with Schnif following the next 

“Tiny Little Baby” Melody Map (Item 3b). 

o Encourage children to sing meas. 5-6 with you as Schnif 

repeats that melody map. 

o Ask children if the two melodies (Items 3a and 3b) look/ 

sound the same (no). Walk Schnif again if needed. 

3 Rock the baby doll. 

o Rock a baby doll and pass it to a child to continue the 

rocking pattern. 

o All pretend to rock a baby as you sing verse 1. 

o Begin verse 2, passing the baby doll to another child. 

o Continue with all verses. 

o Repeat until all, who wish to, have a turn. 

TIP: If you have a large number of children, use two or more dolls. 


4 Solve a spiritual mystery. 

o Ask children to answer questions about the song such 

as the following: 

• What was the Baby’s name? (Jesus) 

• Why did God send Him? (to love us) 

• Who loved Baby Jesus? (Mary) 

• Who came to see Him? (shepherds) 

• Where did He sleep? (in a manger) 

o Listen to the CD as children rock forward and back or side to 

side. Encourage them to sing words they know. 

5 Experience and compare melodic shapes. 

o Sing meas. 7-8 on loo, moving Schnif along another melody map 

(Item 3c). 

o Children sing with you as a child moves Schnif across the map. 

o Sing meas. 9-10 on noo, moving Schnif across the last map 

(Item 3d). 

o All sing as you help another child move Schnif. 

o Help volunteers move Schnif along the melodies as all sing 

the song. 


✃ 

✃ 

Get Ready 

CD 

13/27 

DVD 

7, 10 



• Items 1a, 2 (optional) 

• Activity Plan D 

CD 

14/28 

• Bible marked at Mark 

10:13-16 

• Giant magnifying glass made 

in Activity A for each child 

• Laminate Item 1a for durability. 

It will be used often 

throughout the unit. 


hide the Truth Sleuth 

(Item 1a). 




(optional). 

• Watch DVD 7 before teaching 

Step 4. 



& Pluses, Vol. 9 (978-1- 

4158-3354-4). 

Wonderful Mystery 

X 

SCRIPTURE: “He made known to us the mystery of His will” 

(Ephesians 1:9). 

3 BIBLICAL TRUTH: God can do things people cannot do. 

NOTE: The primary purpose of this song for 3s is to move, listen, and 

experience it. Singing all the words and pitches is not the priority. 

TIP: Do Activity A before the second session you teach this song if 

you want to use the giant magnifying glass in Step 4. 

1 Sing meas. 5-6. 

mi Wonderful Mystery.SP 2.MTK 3.1 

o Speak in rhythm: 

& # # # 4 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ 

wonder - ful, won - der - ful 

o Echo sing three times. Encourage children to join you. 

o Echo sing It’s a wonderful, wonderful mystery several times. 

2 Find the Truth Sleuth. 

o A volunteer finds the mystery box with Truth Sleuth 

(Item 1a) inside. 

o Ask what a “Truth Sleuth” is. Tell children that it is a 

detective, also called a sleuth. 

o Lead children to “discover” that Item 1a represents 

someone who wants to know more about the Bible. He will 

be used to help “uncover” some of the mysteries of God. 

o Explain that we want to be truth sleuths, looking for what is 

right, true, and good. That is what the Bible teaches us to 

do. 

3 Listen and teach a Bible truth. 

o Play the CD as children raise both hands when they hear the 

word wonderful. 

o Ask, “What did the song say is a wonderful mystery?” (That 

the God of the universe cares about me.) 

o Sing meas. 5-8. Assure children that God does care 

about them. 


o Open the marked Bible, and tell the following story. 

Jesus Loves the Children 

As Jesus traveled from town to town, many people wanted 

to see and hear Him. Some of the parents who were there 

wanted Jesus to hold and talk to their children. The disciples 

thought Jesus was too busy to see the children. When Jesus 

saw what the disciples were trying to do, He told them to stop. 

Jesus told the children to come to Him because He loved them 

and wanted to be with them. 

o Tell children that God loves each one of them just like He loved 

the children in the Bible. 

o Pray, thanking God for loving all children. 

o All sing meas. 5-8 several times. 

4 Move to the steady beat. 

o Demonstrate motions, holding the giant magnifying glass made 

in Activity A with both hands. All movements are on the steady 

h beat. 

• wonderful—Move magnifying glass to right. 

• wonderful—Move magnifying glass to left. 

• mystery—Continue right to left motion on steady h beat until 

after mystery in meas. 22; then, pulse magnifying glass in 

front of body on the steady h beat. 

o Sing song slowly and repeat movements as children copy with 

their magnifying glasses. 

o All perform movements with CD. 

Tip: Perform your movements opposite from printed instructions so 

children can mirror them. Accept the best efforts of 3s to do movements. 

5 Listen and sing. 

o Tell children to listen for wonderful as you sing meas. 9-13 and 

19-23. They should raise both hands when they hear it. 

o Slowly echo sing meas. 9-10, then meas. 11-12, several times. 

o All sing meas. 9-13 and 19-23. 

o Sing the song with CD 13 (or 14). Thank God for making a wonderful 

universe and for caring for each person, too. 

6 Play a game and sing. 

o Play the game in Step 1 of Activity D—“Loud/Quiet Hullabaloo 

Clue.” Let a child hide the object. 


Activity Plans 

Additional preschool activities 

See Plans & Pluses preschool-specific section of the CD-ROM. 

The Wonders 

A 

Magnifying Glass B C 

of God 

Teacher’s Guide .....58-59 

Teacher’s Guide .....60-61 

Items.......................0, 4 

DVD.......................... 11 

Truth Sleuth 

ID Cards 

Teacher’s Guide......62-63 

Item.......................... 15 

D 

Loud/Quiet 

Hullabaloo Clue 

E 

Shoe Clues Game 

F 

Mysterious Sound 

and Silence 

Teacher’s Guide...........64 

Items.................... 14a-b 

Songbook.................. 24 

CD...................... 14/28 


Items.................. 0, 9a-d 

Teacher’s Guide...........67 

Items...................... 6a-b 

G 

Mystery Book 

H 

Reappearing 

Leaves 

I 

Sound Gadgets 


Items...................... 8a-b 

Songbook........4 (optional) 

Teacher’s Guide.......... 70 

Songbook.................. 20 

CD.................... optional 


CD......................various 

J K L 

Discover the 

Difference 

What Did 

God Make? 

Mystery Gift 

Teacher’s Guide....... 73-74 


CD......................various 


M 

Mystery Moves 

Matching 

N 

Schnif's Place 

O 

Christmas 

Bells 


Item............................ 5 

CD......................various 


Items...................11, 20 

CD......................various 

DVD............................ 5 


Songbook.................. 12 

CD......................various 


Get Ready 

TIP: For additional 

activities, use Plans & 

Pluses preschool-specific 

section of the CD-ROM. 

1 

• colored blocks 

TIP: Children may speak 

their answers. Simply sing 

the answer back without 

correcting them. 

2 

• paper plates (one per child) 

• CD player and CD 1 or 13 

3 

• Who Am I?, p. 54 

4 

• Items 14a-b 

• instruments 

Early Arriver 

Activities 

TIP: Early Arriver Activities are designed to reinforce biblical truths 

and musical objectives. They enhance preschool learning skills 

through activities, such as matching, same/different, sequencing, 

finger plays, mi 1 MTfT categorizing/sorting, Activity K 

movement, and play. 

& 4 

1 œ œ 

Detecting Colors œ œ œ œ 


*Substitute ❏ Give other children things God different made. colored blocks with which to play. 

❏ As a child picks up a block, sing the question below, and 

allow her to sing the answer: 


& 4 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ 

What 

My 

col 

block 


❏ Repeat as children continue to play. 


2 Driving & 4 œ the Car œ œ œ œ 

Whom 

❏ Give I 

each child a paper plate 

*Mom 

as 

- 

a “steering 

my. 

wheel.” 

*Substitute Daddy, Jesus, or the name of another child in the room. 

❏ Children follow you on a drive through the “country” 

(classroom) as you play “A Mystery for You,” CD 1; 

mi 4 “Wonderful MTfT pp. 43-44 Mystery,” CD 13; or other favorite song. 

❏ As time permits, choose a child to be the lead “driver.” 

& 4 j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 

I 

3 Who Am I? 

❏ Show Who Am I?, p. 54. 

mi ❏ 5 Read MTfT p. riddles 9 as children point to the picture answer. 

❏ Discuss things God made. 

& 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ 

- 

4 Loud and Quiet 

- 

or 

is 

is 

*yel 

do you love? 

love 

your 

- 

block? 

low. 



See Mi chael roll the ball. 

❏ Play an instrument, loudly or quietly. 

❏ Ask children if the instrument was loud or quiet. 

❏ Show children Loud and Quiet Cards (Items 14a-b). Tell them 

p means quiet, and fmeans loud. 

❏ Continueto play instruments while children choose the correct 

card. 

❏ Discuss other loud and quiet things (turtles, cats, dogs, horns). 


5 

• CD player and CD 1 

6 

• Playground Sounds, p. 55 

7 

• Item 10—Duplicate one per 

child. 

• crayons 

• scissors 

8 

• large index cards with Thank You 

written on them (one per child) 

• crayons 

OPTIONS: 

• Make a “mailbox” out of a 

shoe box and let children 

take a “trip” to that 

mailbox to mail their 

cards. 

• Find missionary addresses 

at www.namb.net/root/ 

beonmission/missionaries. 

5 I Have a Mystery 

❏ Speak the words and do the motions: 

• I—Point to self. 

• Have a mystery for you—Point to someone else. 

• Something that seems too hard to do—Shrug with palms 

facing upward. 

• I—Point to self. 

• Can solve that mystery for you—Point to someone else. 

• It’s something only God can do—Point upward. 

• Yes!—Nod. 

• It’s something only God can do—Point upward. 

❏ Repeat several times, encouraging children to do motions. 

❏ Play “A Mystery for You,” CD 1, as all do motions together. 

6 Playground Sounds 

❏ Show Playground Sounds, p. 55. 

❏ Lead children to move their fingers along the arrows and 

follow the direction with their voices on different vowels. (As 

their fingers go up the ladder, their voices go up.) 

7 Coloring Leaves 

❏ Give children Autumn Leaves (Item 10). Children color 

the leaves red, orange, and yellow. Help them cut out the 

leaves. 

❏ Remind children that God made the leaves. Discuss different 

colors of leaves you see in the fall. 

❏ Pray, thanking God for making the leaves. 

❏ Save leaves for use later in the semester. 

8 Going on a Trip 

❏ Ask children to touch their heads if they like going on trips. 

❏ Tell children there are people who go on trips to tell others 

about Jesus. These people are called missionaries. 

(Discuss mission trips your church has taken.) 

❏ Explain that we need to thank missionaries for telling about 

Jesus. 

❏ Give each child an index card with Thank You written on it. 

Children color around the words. 

❏ Ask volunteers to pray, thanking God for missionaries and 

asking God to help them be able to tell many people about 

Jesus. 

❏ If possible, take a “trip” to the church office to send the 

cards. If your church has missionaries, mail the cards to 

them. 


9 

• colored blocks 


9 Same and Different Colors 

❏ Provide children with different colored blocks. 

❏ Ask them to sort and stack same colors together. (All red in 

one stack, all blue in another stack, etc.) 

❏ Remind them the blocks in each stack are the same color. 

❏ Take one block from two different stacks. Ask if blocks are 

the same or different colors. (different) 

❏ Children play with blocks while they listen to “Celebrate,” 

CD 9. 

0 

• Activity Plan B, p. 61 

• magnifying glass (may be the 

one made in Activity A) 

{ 

• “God Is So Good,” No. 23, The 

Baptist Hymnal, 1991 

• bean bag (or any small object) 

0 I Spy 

❏ Play a game of “I Spy” as in Activity B, Step 4. 

{ God Is So Good 

❏ As children sit in a circle, sing the chorus, “God Is So 

Good.” 

❏ Give one child a bean bag. Repeat chorus, encouraging 

children to sing with you. As you sing the last phrase, sing 

the name of the child holding the bean bag, instead of me 

(He’s so good to Steven). 

❏ Pass the bean bag to the next child, and sing the song 

ending with her name. 

❏ Continue until all have had a turn. 

❏ Discuss ways God is good to us. 

❏ Volunteers pray, thanking God for being so good. 

} 

• Match the Shells, p. 56 

• real seashells 

} Match the Shells 

❏ Show Match the Shells, p. 56. 

❏ Children point to shells that are the same. 

❏ Show children some real shells and discuss how they are 

different. 

❏ Ask children who made the shells. (God) 

❏ Read the Bible phrase on page 56. 

q 

• Activity Plan C, p. 63 

q Moving Truth Sleuths 

❏ Allow children to move as in Activity C, Step 3. 


✃ 


w 

• bag with different objects inside, 

some things God made (rock, 

feather, leaf), and some things 

man made (block, spoon) 

w Who Made It? 

❏ A child chooses an object out of the bag and tells if it is 

something God made or something man made. 

❏ Name other things God made and thank Him for all He gives 

us. 

e 

• large piece of butcher paper 

• crayons 


e My Friends 

❏ Place butcher paper and crayons on the floor. 

❏ Give each child a space on the paper to draw pictures of 

their friends. 

❏ As children draw, play “My Best Friend Is Jesus,” CD 3. 

❏ Speak the Bible phrase, “Jesus said, ‘You are my friends’” 

(John 15:14). Remind them that Jesus loves them more 

than anyone can. 

r 

• various rhythm instruments 

• CD player and CD 12 or 13 

t 

• Activity Plan F, p. 67 


y 

• toy microphone (an old real one, 

a plastic one, a dowel rod with a 

tennis ball on one end, a spoon, 

or a hairbrush 

r March! March! March! 

❏ Distribute instruments to children. 

❏ Choose a leader for the children to follow. 

❏ Play “Exercise,” CD 12, or “Wonderful Mystery,” CD 13, as 

mi 1 

children 

MTfT Activity 

march 

K 

around the room in a parade, playing their 

instruments. 

❏ Change parade leaders as others wish to lead. 

& 4 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ 



t Sound and Silence 

❏ mi 2 Children MTfT p. 39 experience sound and silence as in Activity F. 

& 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ 

What 

y Who Do My You block 

col - or 

Love? 

is 

is your 

*yel - 


block? 

low. 

❏ With an imaginary microphone, sing the following question. 

Encourage children to sing an answer. 


& 4 4 œ œ œ œ œ 

Whom 

I 

do you love? 

love *Mom 


❏ Remind children that Jesus loves each of them very much. 

mi 4 MTfT pp. 43-44 

❏ Pray, thanking God for the children and for Jesus’ love. 

& 4 4 

œ 

I 

j 

- 

my. 





u 

• Mystery Movements, p. 57 

• cotton ball 

• CD player and CD (various) 

u Mystery Movements 

❏ Show Mystery Movements, p. 57. 

• Perform movements to CD accompaniment tracks. 

° CD 18 and 19 in 3—Step on q beat; do other 

movements once per measure. 

° CD 26 and 29 in 4—Step on q beat; do other 

movements twice per measure. 

• Children take turns dropping a cotton ball on the page 

to determine a movement to use. 

i 

• Bible-story book chosen from 

your church library, preschool 

department, or home 

o 



i Read a Bible Story 

❏ Read a Bible story, letting children discuss the pictures. 

❏ Thank God for the Bible and the true stories we read in it. 

o Instrument Discovery 

❏ Display instruments on a table. 

❏ Children choose an instrument and play with “Jesus, I Love 

You This Much,” CD 2. 

❏ Pause CD as children pass their instrument to the child on 

their right. 

❏ Continue to play, allowing children to play different 

instruments. 

p 

• various craft objects (yarn, cutout 

pictures, fabric, buttons, glue 

or glue sticks, crayons, construction 

paper, blunt scissors) 

[ 

• Write or type JESUS on a piece 

of paper. Duplicate one per 

child. 

• crayons 

• CD player and CD 6/20 

p Detecting Creativity 

❏ Children choose items to make pictures as you play various 

songs from Songs for Music Time CD. 

[ Jesus Loves Me 

❏ Give children a piece of paper with JESUS written on it. 

❏ Discuss ways Jesus shows He loves us, such as giving us 

parents, providing food to eat, spending time with children, 

healing. 

❏ Children draw pictures of ways Jesus shows His love. 

❏ Explain that because Jesus loves us, we should love Him. 

❏ Sing “Jesus, I Love You,” CD 6/20. 

] 

• medium-sized ball 

] Roll the Ball 

❏ Children sit in a circle and gently roll a ball to each other. 


I love *Mom - my. 


❏ mi 4 As MTfT they pp. 43-44 roll the ball, sing: 

& 4 4 

œ 

I 

j 




A 

• jingle bells 


S 

 

• ornament ingredients: 

4.12-oz. bottle ground 

cinnamon 

¾ cup applesauce 

• mixing bowl 

• rolling pin 

• Christmas cookie cutters 

• wire rack 

• ribbon 

• CD player and CDs (optional) 

D 

• Item 18—Duplicate one per child 

on red and green paper. 

• Scriptures on pp. 28, 37, 43 

• scissors 

• clear tape 

F 

• Item 19—Duplicate one per 

child. 

• crayons 

• Christmas stickers (optional) 

 

❏ Encourage children to sing as they roll the ball to another child. 


A Jingle & 4 œ Bells 


❏ Give Seechildren Mi jingle - chael bells roll to play theas all ball. sing “Jingle Bells.” 

❏ Children play bells again with “See the Shepherds,” CD 8. 

S Christmas Ornaments 

❏ Help children make these smell-good ornaments. 

• Combine ground cinnamon with applesauce to form a stiff 

dough. (Add more applesauce if needed). 

• Roll out dough to ¼” thickness. Cut with cookie cutters, 

and make a hole at the top for a ribbon. 

• Place on a wire rack to dry for several days, before children 

take them home. 

❏ As children help knead the dough, remind them that God 

made our hands so we could use them to work and play. 

OPTION: As children work, play “See the Shepherds,” CD 8; “Tiny Little 

Baby,” CD 7; and other Christmas favorites. 

D Christmas Chain Strips 

❏ Give each child Christmas Chain Strips (Item 18). Help them 

cut strips apart. Tape one together to make a circle. Put 

another strip through the circle and tape it. Continue until 

chains are complete. 

❏ Discuss Bible phrases of Jesus’ birth on pp. 28, 37, and 43. 

❏ Pray, thanking God for sending Jesus to earth. 

F Christmas Card 

❏ Give each child Christmas Card (Item 19). 

❏ Children trace the letters for Merry Christmas. Help them 

write their names on the From blank. 

❏ Explain that we should tell others about Jesus. Christmas is 

a wonderful time to tell friends and family that He came to 

earth because He loves us. 

❏ Children can draw pictures or put Christmas stickers on the 

inside of their cards. 

❏ Pray, thanking God for sending Jesus to earth. 


Who Am I? 

Read riddles. Children point to the picture answers. 

I am round and red 

And taste good in pie. 

Only God could make me; 

Who am I? 

I can move so very fast; 

I soar across the sky. 


Who am I 

54 Music Time for 3s 3.1, Teacher’s Guide 

I am very, very big, 

A trunk between my eyes. 


Who am I? 

I hop and leap and jump 

On land that’s wet or dry. 


Who am I?


Playground 

Sounds 

Use your fingers and voices to follow 

the children’s movements.

Match the Shells 

Point to shells that are the same. 

God looked at everything He had made, and He was very pleased. 

Genesis 1:31 

56 Music Time for 3s 3.1, Teacher’s Guide

Mystery 


Movements 

“God helps us live and move.” 

Acts 17:28

A 

Get Ready 

Magnifying Glass 

PURPOSE: To make a theme prop to be used throughout the 

choir year 

NOTE: This craft item will be used with choreography of the theme 

song, “Wonderful Mystery.” 

• 6½” heavy-duty paper 

plates (two per child) 

• scissors 

• transparency film (one sheet 

per two children) 

• jumbo craft sticks or 

tongue depressors 

• clear tape 

• stapler 

• crayons 

• silver duct tape 

• Make one magnifying glass 

as a model and display it. 

TIPS: 

• Do not use plastic 

plates. They crack 

when stapled. 

• Add duct tape to craft 

sticks for a metallic 

look. 

1 Prepare supplies. 

o Lay a plate facedown on a transparency film sheet and 

trace around outer rim with a pen. Cut out the circle. 

(One sheet makes “lenses” for two magnifying glasses. 

Repeat to make one “lens” for every child. 

o Cut out the centers (the flat portion) of the plates and 

discard. 

o Children color the remaining portion of plates with crayons. 

2 Put it all together. 

o Place one plate faceup. Lay a “lens” over the plate and 

use tape or glue to secure it on the edge of the plate. 

o Lay second plate facedown on first plate. Staple plates 

together. 

o Insert tongue depressor between the two plates and just far 

enough not to be seen through the plate’s cut-out center. 

o Tape or staple the edge of the plate to the depressor on 

both sides to keep the depressor from slipping. 

TIP: Make extra magnifying glasses for children who may join 

during the year. 


Alternate 

Magnifying 

Glass 

• 12-by-17-inch foam sheets in an 

assortment of bright colors 

(one per child) 

• sturdy cardboard (one 8½-by-11-inch 

sheet per child) 

• transparency film (one sheet per 

two children) 

• pattern 

• scissors 

• craft glue 

1 Prepare supplies. 

o Enlarge this pattern 25 percent and cut a template 

of the pattern from a piece of cardboard. 

o Using template, trace pattern on foam sheets 

(two per child) and on very sturdy cardboard 

(one per child). Cut out. 

o Using template (minus the handle), trace pattern 

on a transparency film sheet to make a “lens” 

and cut out (will make two per sheet). 

2 Put it together. 

o Lay a foam sheet pattern flat on a table. Spread 

glue around the edges, then lay the clear sheet 

(“lens”) in place. 

o Next, carefully glue cardboard pattern on top of the 

foam pattern with lens, then glue the other foam 

sheet pattern to cover the cardboard. Let dry 

thoroughly before picking up and handling. (Placing 

a hymnal or other large book on the magnifying glass 

overnight will ensure a good bond.) 


✃ 

B 

Get Ready 

• Bible marked at Matthew 

10:30 

• Items 0 (Decoder), 4 

• magnifying glass 

DVD 

11 

The Wonders of God 

PURPOSE: To discover some things God made and thank Him 

1 Find hidden items God made. 

o Using the Decoder (Item 0), children take turns finding 

hidden items (underneath the grids) on the Fall Nature 

Scene (Item 4). 

• Hidden items: horse head, cat, setting sun, small 

pumpkin, squirrel, leaf, bird, rabbit, campfire flames, 

marshmallows 

o As each item is found, all say, “Give thanks to God for 

everything. Thank You, God, for (hidden item).” 

o Discuss other pictured items that God made. 

2 Share a biblical truth. 

o Open a marked Bible to Matthew 10:30 and read, 

“Even the hairs of your head have all been counted.” 

o Discuss this truth. Explain how wonderful it is to know 

that God understands so much about us that He even 

knows how many hairs are on our heads. 

o Pray, thanking God that He cares all about us. 

3 Solve the riddles. 

o Read each riddle. Help children supply the missing word. If 

needed, give a hint that the missing word rhymes with the 

last word in the first half of the riddle. 

1. God made flowers, grass, and trees; 

God made flying bumble _______. (bees) 

2. God made jumping things like frogs; 

God made playful puppy _______. (dogs) 


3. God made everyone in the world; 

God made every boy and _______. (girl) 

4. God made earth and sky and sea; 

God made you, and God made _______. (me) 

4 Play “I Spy.” 

o Use the magnifying glass made in Activity A (or a real one) to play 

a game of “I Spy.” 

o Each child, in turn, uses the magnifying glass to spy something 

that God made and gives clues describing his object. (This works 

well if a window is nearby.) 

o Others try to guess the object after each clue. Prompt child 

with clue ideas as needed (tell the color, tell the shape, use one 

of the five senses, tell how it is used). 

o Volunteers pray, thanking God for things He made. 


✃ 

C 

Get Ready 

Truth Sleuth 

ID Cards 

PURPOSE: To discover the truth that God made us and that 

we are uniquely special 

• Item 15 

• Duplicate and cut out 

Item 15, one per child. 

• Print each child’s name 

where indicated. 

• measuring tape 

• pencils 

• crayons/markers 

• ink pad 

• glue/tape 

• wet wipes 

• Obtain a small photo of each 

child, or plan to take photos 

with a digital camera. 

NOTE: Taking a group 

photo, with children 

spaced apart, and cutting 

out individual faces will 

work for this activity. 

• digital camera (optional) 

NOTE: If you would like to divide your children into small groups, you 

may copy ID cards on four different colors of paper. Write children’s 

names on the Name spot of the card. Have children complete the 

rest of the card when they rotate to this activity. 

1 Make a Truth Sleuth ID Card. 

o Give each child a Truth Sleuth ID Card (Item 15). 

o Help each child write his age, height, and name/signature. 

o If possible, take a picture of each child and secure it in 

the appropriate place on the card. If it is not possible to 

obtain/take a picture of each child, he can draw a picture 

of his face. 

o Using an ink pad, help each child place his thumbprint on 

the card. 

mi AP 1.Truth Sleuth ID Card.MTTG.3.1 

o As children work, sing the following: 

& 4 4 œ œ œ œ œ 

Truth sleuth, how are you? 

© info? 

o Demonstrate singing responses on similar pitches, such as 

I am fine, how are you; I am happy, how are you; I am glad 

I came to church. Encourage children to sing their answers 

also, but don’t insist on it. 

2 Discuss a mystery of God. 

o Tell children that God made each of them different and very 

special. Encourage them to look at others’ cards to see that 

no two are exactly alike. 


o Explain that we do not know how God can make every person 

different. It is a mystery. 

o Ask a volunteer to thank God for loving us enough to make us 

each so special. 

3 Move to the beat. 


o All pat the h beat (hearts) as you sing “Truth Sleuth.” 

& bb b 4 4 

œ 

I 

! 

œ 

œ œ œ œ ! œ 


! 

œ 

! 

œ œ œ œ 

seek- ing what the Bi - ble says, 

œ 

œ 

& bb ! 

b œ 

! 

œ œ œ œ 

œ 

œ œ 

Find-ing all it teach-es me a - 

! 

œ 

! 

œ œ œ œ 

bout the way that I should 

œ 

! 

˙ 

be. 

! 

Œ 


D 

Get Ready 

CD 

14/28 




• object to hide (magnifying 

glass, hymnal, instrument, 

etc.) 

• rhythm sticks and drums 

Loud/Quiet 

Hullabaloo Clue 

PURPOSE: To experience and learn the difference between 

loud and quiet 

1 Play the game. 

o Hide an object in the Activity Group area. 

o Help a child (or two) to search for the hidden object. Explain 

that your voice will get louder when she is close to the object, 

and it will get quieter when she is farther away from it. 

o Sing “Wonderful Mystery,” encouraging children to join you 

as they become familiar with the song. Sing louder as the 

child gets closer to the object and quieter as she moves 

farther away. 

OPTION: Choose another song that you are comfortable singing that 

is also familiar to the children. 

o Repeat game until all who wish to have had a turn. 

2 Introduce p and f symbols. 

o As all sing “Wonderful Mystery” or another favorite song, 

hold up Quiet Card (Item 14b) when you want them to sing 

quietly and Loud Card (Item 14a) when you want them to 

sing loudly. 

TIP: Allow plenty of time for children to sing at a certain level before 

changing cards. 

o Children take turns holding the cards as others sing. 

o Play CD. Display Items 14a-b. Adjust the CD volume control, 

switching between quiet and loud, as children point to the 

correct card. 


o Repeat Step 2, using rhythm sticks and drums. 

Demonstrate playing both instruments loudly and quietly. 

Remind children that playing loudly does not mean banging 

on the instruments. 


✃ 

E 

Get Ready 


PURPOSE: To play a game, following clues containing rhythms, 

vocal exploration, Bible questions, and surprise moves 

NOTE: This game could be difficult for younger 3s. It may be easier to 

play with “teams” led by two teachers. Children can take turns 

moving the tokens and “helping” solve the clues. 

• Items 0 (Decoder), 9a-d 

• various colored tokens or 

buttons 

• Make a spinner by attaching 

a paper clip to the center 

of the spinner circle with a 

brad. Brad should be loose 

enough for the paper clip 

to spin, yet tight enough to 

hold it in place. 

• Sort Items 9b-d by shoe 

styles, and place the three 

stacks beside game board. 

OPTION: Copy the back 

of this page and cut out 

cards. Stack Shoe Clues 

Cards (Items 9b-d) facedown 

on the matching 

blank shoe cards. 

1 Set up the game. 

o Place Shoe Clues Game Board (Item 9a) on the table 

or floor. 

o Give each player a different colored token. 


NOTE: This game is similar to CandyLand® 

o Player 1 spins the spinner to determine the stack of 

Shoe Clues Cards (Items 9b-d) from which to choose. 

o Player 1 then picks a card from the top of the designated 

stack. 

o Read the Bible verse, asking child to complete it using the 

picture clue(s), or child performs the action illustrated on 

the card. 

o Player 1 then moves to the next shoe print matching the 

card/spinner. 

o Return card to bottom of the stack, and game continues 

with the next player. 

3 End the game. 

o As each player steps up into the treasure tree house, 

all players clap for the victorious player. 

o Victorious players continue to encourage other players 

as the game continues. 


o When all players have reached the tree house, use the decoder 

(Item 0) to discover the true treasure the children on the game 

board have in their hands. (Bible) 

4 Extend the thought. 

o Discuss why the Bible is the greatest of all treasures. 

(It tells us about God and how to live.) 

o Think of various situations in which the Bible can help solve 

our problems or questions. 

✃ 


✃ 

F 

Get Ready 

Mysterious Sound 

and Silence 

PURPOSE: To investigate various expressions of sound 

and silence 


1 Experience sound. 

o Place four Sound Shoe Prints (Item 6a) in a row where all 

children can see. As you point to each print, pat your leg. 


2 Experience silence. 

o Place the blank shoe outlines from Item 6b in a row where 

all children can see. As you point to each print, place your 

finger at your lips as if saying, “sh.” 


3 Experience sound and silence. 

o Place two Sound Shoe Prints and two Silence Shoe Prints 

in a row where children can see. As you point to each shoe 

print, pat your leg. As you point to the silence shoe print, 

give the sh sign. 


o Change the order of the shoe prints, using only four prints 

at a time. 

o Point and pat/sh the patterns as children copy. 

o Allow children to arrange shoe prints, as all perform the 

patterns. 


✃ 

G 

Get Ready 

Mystery Book 

PURPOSE: To play a game to discover things God made 


Songbook, p. 4 (optional) 


• Place six cards from Item 

8b into the slots on Item 8a 

with only the question marks 

showing. 

• box of crayons 

1 Let’s look! 

o Display Book of Mystery (Item 8a) with Book of Mystery 

Strips (Item 8b) extending from it. 

o Ask children what they see on each strip. (question mark) 

Tell them that it means to ask, “What is it?” 

2 Let’s wonder! 

o Look at a box of crayons. Remind children that we color with 

crayons from a box, but God can color anything, anywhere, 

any color. 

o Choose a crayon from the box, asking children to identify 

the color. Then, ask them to name things that God made 

in that color. 

o Repeat with several crayons. 

TIP: Choose from the colors represented on the strips (green, red, 

purple, blue, yellow, orange, brown, black, white, and pink). 

3 Let’s solve a mystery! 

o A child chooses a strip and tells the color of the 

question mark. 

mi SP 6.A Mystery for You.MTTG.3.1 

o Sing meas. 5-6 of “A Mystery for You.” 

& 4 œ œ. 

œ œ. 

œ œ. 

Some - thing that seems too hard to 

œ 

. ˙ 

do. 

Œ 


o Children guess things of that color that God made. Remove 

question strip from the book, allowing children to see the mystery 

answer. 

NOTE: Help children understand that only one answer will be pictured, 

but ALL answers with that color are acceptable. 

o Continue until all strips are removed. 

o Pray, thanking God for His creations of many colors. 

4 Let’s look again! 

o Children hide their eyes as new question strips are inserted. 

o Repeat game, as in Step 3. 


H 

Get Ready 

CD 

10/24 



• various types of real leaves 

(one per child) 

• crayons (red, yellow, orange, 

green, brown, purple) 

• white paper 

• Bible marked at 

Genesis 1:11 

• magnifying glass (optional) 

Reappearing Leaves 

PURPOSE: To investigate leaves and the truth that God made 

the leaves 

1 Share a Bible truth. 

o A volunteer opens the Bible marked at Genesis 1:11. 

Tell children that the Bible says, “God made the trees.” 

o All say the Bible phrase together. 

o Ask children what God placed on trees. (limbs, leaves) 

2 Color leaves. 

o Give each child a real leaf and sheet of white paper. 

Tell them to place the paper on top of the leaf. 

o Give children crayons. Help them color over the area where 

the leaf is and watch the leaf “reappear.” 

TIP: Jumbo crayons without paper wrapping work best. You can turn 

them on their sides and rub across the paper. 

o Children swap leaves and repeat procedure on same piece 

of paper, if time allows. 

o Sing or play “Autumn Leaves” while children work. 

3 Discuss this mystery of God. 

o All look at each leaf carefully. Use a magnifying glass, 

if available. Tell something special about the leaves. 

o Discuss how wonderful it is that God cared to make 

each leaf special in its own way. 

o Tell children that God made each of them even more 

special. He loves and cares about us more than 

He does any other thing He made. 

o Pray, thanking God for making the beautiful leaves 

and us, too. 

4 Sing. 

o Sing “Autumn Leaves” as children wave leaves in the air. 


I 

Get Ready 

Sound Gadgets 

PURPOSE: To make rhythm instruments 

CD 

various 

• ¾” to 1” dowel rods cut into 

9” to 12” lengths (two per 

child) 

• sandpaper 

• thin elastic cut into 8-inch 

strips 

• 3 to 4 jingle bells per child 

(large enough for the elastic 

strip to thread through) 

• empty paper towel rolls 

• colored paper 

• empty oatmeal canisters 

and/or empty coffee cans, 

all with lids secured in place 

• white paper cut to fit the 

canisters being used 

• crayons/markers 

• clear tape, clear packing 

tape 

• wax paper, cut into 5-inch 

circles (one per child) 

NOTE: Instruments 

can also be used with 

Activities L, N and O. 

NOTES: Choose any or all of the following to make, depending on 

your needs, ages of children, time, and availability of materials. 

All CD numbers are merely suggestions. 

1 Make big rhythm sticks. 

o Give each child two dowels. Let children sand dowels 

with sandpaper until smooth. 

o Play CD 22 or 29 while children play rhythm sticks. 

TIP: Older 3s will have more success with sandpaper 

than younger ones. Cover tables with large pieces of paper or 

an old tablecloth for easier cleanup. 

2 Make jingle bells. 

o Give each child a strip of elastic and three to four bells. 

Help them place bells on elastic. Tie the ends together. 

o Play bells with CD 9 or CD 3. 

NOTE: To keep bells stationary, tie knots next to each bell. 

3 Make kazoos. 

o Give each child a paper towel roll. 

o Wrap a piece of colored paper around it, or let children 

color the roll with crayons. If using paper, secure it to the 

roll with tape. 

o Place a circle of wax paper over one end and secure 

with packing tape. 

o Hum (do not blow) in the open end to produce sound. 

o Play kazoos with CD 1 or CD 21. 


4 Make drums. 

o Give each child an oatmeal or coffee container. 

o Give each child a white piece of paper to decorate. 

o Wrap the papers around the containers; secure with tape. 

o Play drums with CD 1 or CD 13. 

TIP: Threes will likely enjoy making and playing the drums most. 


J 

Get Ready 

• pairs of matching objects 

(such as two mittens, two 

shoes, two spoons) 

 

• homemade shakers: 

Fill plastic eggs (or other 

plastic containers that will 

conceal contents) with 

different contents, such as 

salt, macaroni, dried beans, 

or fish aquarium rocks. Some 

containers should have the 

same contents, while others 

should be different. 

Tape containers securely 

with strong tape, such as 

packing tape. 


• paper towel roll for each 

child 

 

Discover the 

Difference 

PURPOSE: To discover same and different voices and sounds 

1 Same and different objects. 

o Show children pairs of matching objects (two mittens, two 

spoons). 

o Ask if they are the same or different. 

o Show children two objects that are different (a spoon and 

a fork). 

o Ask if they are the same or different. 

o Continue until children understand the idea of same and 

different. 

2 Same and different voices. 

o Give each child a paper towel roll (or 12” piece of pipe insulator). 

Keep one for yourself. 

o Whisper phrases through the paper towel roll. 

• Gently place your towel roll instrument close to a child’s 

ear and whisper, “I’m glad you’re here. How are you?” 

• Child whispers back through his instrument. 

• Say, “This is your whispering voice.” 

o Repeat, singing phrases with each child on sol-mi, such as 

the following: 

mi 6 MTfT Activity J 

& 4 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ 

Truth 

Whom 

Sleuth, 

do you 

how are you? 

love? 

o Sing on sol-mi, “This is your singing voice.” 

o Speak phrases with each child, and say, “This is my 

speaking voice.” 

Tip: Use the child’s name in the phrases as often as possible. 

Threes particularly like to hear their names sung. 


o Continue going to each child to speak, sing, or whisper through 

your instrument. 

o Ask, “What voice am I using?” and let him respond. 

3 Same and different sounds. 

o Shake two different types of homemade shakers, one at a time. 

o Ask children to “solve the mystery” of which containers sound the 

same or different. 

o Place various rhythm instruments in the middle of the group. 

o Select one child to choose two instruments and play each. 

o Volunteers tell whether the instruments sound the same or 

different. 


K 

Get Ready 

CD 

optional 

• craft dough ingredients: 

2 cups honey 

2 cups creamy peanut butter 

3-4½ cups powdered milk 

(enough for desired consistency) 

• wet wipes or rags for cleanup 

NOTE: Alert parents ahead 

of time to potential food 

allergies, such as peanuts 

or dairy products. 

What Did God Make? 

PURPOSE: To help children consider things God made and 

thank Him 

1 Make craft dough. 

o Help children wash their hands. 

o With children’s help, mix together the craft dough 

ingredients. 

NOTE: Craft dough is edible. 

2 Form objects God created. 

o Give each child a portion of dough. Encourage him to make 

an animal, plant, food, or something God created. 

OPTION: As children work, play “Autumn Leaves,” CD 10; “Sing 

Thanks to God,” CD 4; or “Thank You, God, for Everything,” CD 5. 

3 Sing thanks to God. 

o Each child tells what he made. 

o You reply by singing: 

mi 1 MTfT Activity K 

& 4 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ 



 


4 Give thanks to God. 

& 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ 

o Volunteers pray, thanking God for everything He made. 

What 

My 

col - 

block 

or 

is 

is 

*yel 

your 

- 

block? 

low. 

NOTE: After cleaning their hands, children can eat their creations 


(if there are no food allergies), or take them home. 


Music Time for 3s 3.1, Teacher’s Guide 75 

& 4 4 œ œ œ œ œ 

Whom 

I 

do 

love 

you 

love? 

*Mom 

- 

my.

L 

Get Ready 

Mystery Gift 

PURPOSE: To identify and play rhythm instruments 

• shoe box with lid 

• Cover shoe box and lid 

separately with wrapping 

paper. 

• rhythm instruments (rhythm 

sticks, bells, maracas, finger 

cymbals, sand blocks, tone/ 

wood block with mallet) 

NOTE: The instruments used for this activity could be the ones made 

in Activity I. 

1 Introduce instruments. 

o Identify and demonstrate how to play each instrument 

that you plan to use in the box. 

o Let a child play each instrument after it is introduced as 

others pretend to play. 

2 Guess the instrument. 

o Children sit in a circle as you discreetly place one 

instrument in the box and cover it with the lid. 

o Starting with the child on your left, pass the box around 

the circle, giving each child an opportunity to gently shake 

the box. 

o When the box reaches the last child, he guesses the mystery 

instrument. 

o Place another instrument in the box and repeat the 

process. Start with the child to the left of the one who 

started last time, therefore ending with a different child. 

o Continue until all children have had a turn. 

3 Play the instruments. 

o Distribute instruments to every other child. 

o Sing a mystery song (Songs for Music Time song, praise 

and worship chorus, hymn) as children play their instruments 

to the steady beat. Those without instruments can pretend 

to play or pat the beat with you. 

o Redistribute instruments and repeat with the same or 

another song. 


✃ 

M 

Get Ready 

CD 

various 

• Item 5 

NOTE: For shorter activities 

or extra Early Arriver 

activities, use each 

teaching step at different 

times. 

Mystery Moves 

Matching 

PURPOSE: To play a matching game and experience 

movements that God enables us to perform 

1 Match cards. 

o Mix Mystery Moves Cards (Item 5) and place them 

facedown on a table. Tell children they will take turns 

solving the mystery of which cards match. 

o Child turns two cards faceup. If they match, all say, 

“Mystery solved!” You place matching cards off to one 

side. Match or not, play continues with the next child. 

2 Let’s move! 

o Mix cards. Children take turns choosing a card. 

o All perform that movement to “Exercise,” CD 26; 

“Wonderful Mystery,” CD 27 or 28; or “A Mystery for You,” 

CD 15. 

o Children suggest other movements for all to try. 

TIP: For more control when moving, space children apart in their 

own “bubbles.” Tell them that their bubble should never touch 

someone else’s bubble. 

3 Movement pantomime 

o Lay cards faceup on the table or floor. 

o Children take turns performing one of the movements as 

others point to the card displaying that movement. 



✃ 

N 

Get Ready 

CD 

optional 

• Items 11, 20 

DVD 

5 

• Schnif beanbag (attach 

Item 20 to a beanbag) 

NOTES: 

• Mount Item 20 on card 

stock for durability. 

• Instruments could 

be the ones made in 

Activity I. 

Schnif’s Place 

PURPOSE: To provide opportunities to experience different 

rhythm patterns and vocal explorations 

Note: If you have younger 3s, you may want to divide them into 

teams with a teacher on each team. 

1 Take a virtual tour. 

o Display Schnif’s Place (Item 11) on the floor. 

o Describe each room and the related activity: 

• Bedroom—Echo speak each line as Schnif goes to 

sleep. Whisper on rest. 

°woof, woof, woof, woof 

°woof, woof, rest, rest 

°rest, rest, rest, rest 

• Music Room—Select an instrument to play. 

°rhythm sticks 

°kazoo or drum 

°bells 

• Living Room—Four pictures on the wall indicate four 

voices (outside voice, speaking voice, whispering 

voice, singing voice). 

°Echo speak or sing “My name is Schnif” in each 

voice. 

• Kitchen—Discover food in bowl and pretend to “wag 

tail” with excitement while singing “Exercise,” CD 12. 

OPTION: Play instruments (Music Room) to “Jesus, I Love You This 

Much,” CD 2; “Celebrate,” CD 9; or “Tiny Little Baby,” CD 7. 

2 Explain the game. 

o Demonstrate tossing the Schnif (Item 20) beanbag on 

Item 11. 

o The room in which the beanbag lands will determine 

the response. 

o The tosser (or team) will complete the action for that 

room. 



o Give the Schnif beanbag to the first child. 

o She follows the instructions given in Steps 1 and 2. 

o Upon completion of turn, the child passes the beanbag to 

another child. 

o Continue until all, who wish to, have a turn. 


O 

Get Ready 

Christmas Bells 

PURPOSES: To help children play instruments and thank God 

for Jesus coming to earth 

CD 

various 



• bells for each child 

1 Listen for the special word. 

o Distribute bells to each child. 

o Show children the resting position for bells—quietly in 

laps. 

o Tell children you will read them a story. Instruct them 

to play their bells each time they hear the word bell or 

bells. Remind them to keep bells in resting position 

when not being played. 

o Emphasize the bell words in bold print as cues. 

NOTE: Bells could be the 

ones made in Activity I. 

Kathryn and John love Christmas! They love to 

celebrate Jesus’ birthday! They like to decorate the 

Christmas tree. Some of their favorite ornaments are 

beautiful glass bells, crystal stars, and candy canes. 

They also enjoy looking at the twinkling Christmas 

lights. One time, they saw some lights in the shape 

of bells. The bells would play notes as they twinkled. 

Kathyrn said, “Oh, look at the pretty bell lights!” 

Kathyrn and John like to hear the handbell choir at 

church play Christmas carols. The handbell choir plays 

some of their favorite carols like “Carol of the Bells” 

and “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” 

Their mother made them jingle bell bracelets to 

wear while they went Christmas caroling with their 

church. They most enjoy playing the bells and moving 

when they sing “Jingle Bells.” Kathryn and John love 

the celebration of Jesus’ birth! 

2 Share about Christmas music. 

o Let volunteers share some things they enjoy about 

Christmas music (bells at church, choirs singing). 


3 Play bells. 

o Instruct children to play bells with you to the steady beat as all 

listen to “See the Shepherds,” CD 8, or “Celebrate,” CD 9. 

4 Pray and sing. 

o Pray, thanking God for sending Jesus. 

o Quietly sing “Jesus, I Love You.” 


0 

Decoder 

Teacher’s Guide...................60,65 

Activity........................... B, E 

DVD...................................11 

3 a-d 

“Tiny Little Baby” 

Melody Map 

Teacher’s Guide.........................43 

Songbook...........................13 

CD..................................7/21 

DVD....................................12 

6 a-b Sound and 

Silence Shoe Prints 

Teacher’s Guide............31, 51, 67 

Activity................................ F 

Songbook............................. 6 

CD................................. 2/16 

DVD..................................... 2 

9 

a-d 


Board and Cards 

Teacher’s Guide.................. 65 

Activity.................................E 

12 

Christmas 

Ornament Rebus 

Teacher’s Guide...................37 

Songbook...........................14 

CD.................................8/22 

15 

Truth Sleuth 

ID Cards 

Teacher’s Guide........... 13, 62 

Activity................................ C 

CD..................................... 29 

Kit Items 

1 a-e 

Truth Sleuth 

and Add-ons 

Teacher’s Guide......35, 37, 39, 45 

DVD....................................10 

4 

Fall Nature Scene 

Teacher’s Guide........................60 

Activity............................... .B 

DVD................................... 11 

7 

10 

Friend Bell Chart 

Relates only to teachers of 

children 4-K. 

Autumn Leaves 

Teacher’s Guide.......22, 26, 49 

CD..............................10/24, 11 

DVD.....................................4 

13 “Thank You, God, 

for Everything” Poster 

Teacher’s Guide.................. 41 

Songbook.......................... 10 

CD................................ 5/19 

16 

Bible Story 

Teacher’s Guide ....................... 35 

CD.......................................1 

2 

Mystery Feet 

Teacher’s Guide........13, 31, 33, 

....................35, 37, 39, 45 (opt.) 

Songbook.......................7, 4 

CD.....................1/15, 3/17 

DVD.............................. 1, 2 

5 

Mystery Moves 

Cards 

Teacher’s Guide..................22, 77 

Activity...............................M 

Songbook..........................23 

CD...................12/26, various 

8 a-b 

Book of Mystery 

and Cards 


Activity................................G 

Songbook...................4 (opt.) 

11 

Schnif's Place 


Activity................................N 

CD.............................. various 

DVD.....................................5 

14 a-b 

Loud/Quiet 

Cards 

Teacher’s Guide............ 22, 35, 

.....................................39, 48, 64 

Activity................................D 

Songbook............. 4, 8, 24, 21 

CD............ 1,15, 4/18, 14/28 

17 

a-b 

Missions Map 

and Clue Strips 

Teacher’s Guide ........................15 

18 Christmas Chain 

Christmas Card 

Strips 

Teacher’s Guide........................ 53 

19 

Teacher’s Guide.........................53 

20 

Schnif 

Teacher’s Guide.............43, 79 

Activity.............................. .N 

Songbook.......................... 13 

CD....................7/21, various 

DVD.............................. 5, 12

Music Time for 3s - LifeWay

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?