Telling the Story through Song
Song Selection
- Before making your props or puppets you will need to select your song and then from the song choose what WORD, PROPS, or PUPPETS your require (we did not use puppets – too expensive).
- Print off the lyrics to the song and go through and highlight words or phrases that would make easy props, and be the most effective in your storytelling.
- Once you’ve picked those words or phrases decide when the prop goes up and when it will go down (maybe with a red slash).
- The kids in front will block the kids behind them, so it’s best to break the kids into 2 or 3 lines on your stage.
- The back line will be standing to hold up their props such as the chorus words/phrases.
- The middle row will have varying props, large but possibly not as large as the back group. They will be on their knees.
- The front row can be your younger children (if you have a large mixed group) and they can be sitting and holding the smaller props.
- The middle row will have varying props, large but possibly not as large as the back group. They will be on their knees.
- The front row can be your younger children (if you have a large mixed group) and they can be sitting and holding the smaller props.
- If your picking a song with lots of movement, then you will want fewer kids (4 max).
Black Light Props
Materials:
Directions:
- Paint Sticks or Dowels (painted black). Janice and I both agree that Paint Sticks are the easiest to use, more durable and cheaper.
- Cardboard (broken down boxes, etc.)
- Poster Board Sheets – Black (lots)
- Fluorescent Poster Board Sheets - can purchase package of 5 assorted colours - Item #065800663091 or #66309 (Staples or any craft store or business supplies store).
Fluorescent colours recommended: bright yellow, orange, light green, bright purples (deep violet to lavender), light blue, and hot pink. - Eyes - puppet eyes inserted into two large Styrofoam grey balls, which were glued to Popsicle stick, which was glued to a paint stick
- Black tape (Duct Tape).
- Glue Gun & Glue
Directions:
- Paint all paint sticks black OR wrap with Duct Tape.
- Insert paint sticks into props for children to hold.
- Place cardboard between prop front and back to give it stiffness so it will hold upright.
- Generally, one side will always be black, the other side coloured. Except, for smaller items like in pictures below (fish and bread) where it is not necessary, especially props that will be staying in the scene the entire song.
- For a really large sign (like Peter walking on water, see below picture) we actually taped two “black metal drawer pull handles” onto the back for the child to hold as the prop for fairly heavy due to it’s size.
- For words make large block letters on black background. Each letter, in a word, can be a different colour.
- A neat idea I found for writing words, as I’m writing this, is from “One Way Street” – Black Light Glue Sticks you can use in hot or cool glue guns! Just do a search for Black Light Hot Melt Glue Sticks or UV Reflective Glue Sticks.
I'm thinking "Writing on the Wall" - Daniel, could be amazing! - Drawings of animals, etc. – make the drawing itself simple – size will depend on their part in the story, if they need to appear and disappear always make one side all black.
- The props in picture below of Incredible, Amazing, and Miracle, Janice covered in bubble wrap to give it more of an underwater feel.
- Eyes - puppet eyes inserted into two large grey coloured Styrofoam craft balls, eyes were glued to a popsicle stick, which was glued to a paint stick.
Remember a simple drawing is best! And the larger the better!
Examples below of three songs and props created for each.
