When Santa Got Stuck up the Chimney

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Then work through the left hand on it’s own, recognising where the C, F & G chords occur (write them in under the notes) as this will help a lot when they try to play hands together. Now sing it together clapping the rhythm as you sing, making sure the child is familiar with the 6/8 time signature. Explain that it goes with swing and the bar divides into two dotted crotchet beats. Work through each phrase by phrase. First clapping the rhythm, then saying or singing the names of the notes together slowly. If the child feels happy to do so, they can do this on there own. A very good exercise in note reading. Attempt the first phrase very slowly, drawing attention to the 3rd bar fingering where the thumb (1) has to be passed under the fingers to play the G on the ‘chim’ of chimney. Just like in the scale of C major, explain that this happens so you don’t run out of fingers! Action: Encourage your children to suggest three ways Santa could be helped out of the chimney – this will help develop their problem solving skills.

Activity: Use household supplies to re-create the nativity scene with your children – such as old shoe boxes, toilet rolls and toy animals - and encourage your children to count and name the animals as they place them in the nativity. Playing the RH correctly may be enough of a challenge for the stage that they are at, but they shouldn’t attempt the LH until they can play it easily. Practice several times the downward path of 3rds, which occurs twice on the middle two lines with the 1-3, 2-4 hopping downwards, ending on the 5th of the G chord. If the child doesn’t already know the song, sing and play it to them first. This piece is about having some Christmassy fun! Why not project this on the board in preparation for a Christmas show? Or simply just for a starter or plenary. Coupled with gorgeous illustrations, this is a brilliant way to encourage your students to get into the Christmas spirit. When songs are sung, endorphins are released (feel good chemicals) in your brain, it brings positive psychological effects.Point out the place where the 2 has to step down a note, over the 1 on the D next to middle C on ‘pull’ before playing C – G with 1 – 5 on ‘me out’ Activity: Sing this song as you put the Christmas tree up and ask your children to count the baubles and name the colours as they place them on the tree. Activity: Get some red card and some arts and crafts and ask your children to listen to the song and then create a Father Christmas based on the words in the song. The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay. (Place hands together to create pillow and rest head on them) This is an old-fashioned method of doing things and it works perfectly well. Even if Santa is a small man, he has always been able to find his way to children. A tradition like this can be shared by all. How Santa Gets Down The Chimney

The LH becomes much easier if you give them some preparation finding and understanding the chords first. Spend some time playing C, F & G chords, to allow them to become accustomed and recognise the notes. Depending on the age and ability of the child, this may be broken up over two or three lessons. Don’t necessarily expect them to be able to achieve the whole piece at once. I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky (Place hand above eyes as if looking into distance) Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. (Make heart shape with hands and then place hands together in praying symbol)Repeat the next phrase as before, but build a crescendo on the ‘Atchoos’ and follow the fingering carefully, again to make sure you don’t run out of fingers (noticing that the 5 steps up one note higher so as to reach the D on the last Atchoo! The last line is almost the same as the first, except for the last two bars. This is made up mainly of the C chord, with the hand shifting down to play one low G chord just before the final forte, octave C in the last bar on the last loud Atch-oo! Get your little ones into the Christmas spirit this December with some fun Christmas carols and easy to follow actions! Print them off and pin them up in the house for them to practise whenever they want. Then complete the activity to enhance and develop your children’s learning.