RE: Music for Older Kids (and adults)

[Janice Steirn <jsteirn...>]

Hi.  I'm new to the list.  My name is Janice and I primarily work with
younger children in Savannah, GA.  In response to Rich's letter, I agree
that movement is an important part of spirituality (try to stop a shuckeling
davener). Some friends and I have incorporated an American Sign version of
the Sh'mah into our Katoni services and it works beautifully.  We've
modified the Sh'mah to use the sign for "look" rather than "hear", and
discussed with the children why "look" would make more sense to a user of
American Sign Language than "hear" would.  It was a nice opportunity to
discuss what the Sh'mah is telling us.

The Sh'mah has worked so well that I'm planning on introducing a couple of
short blessings to my second graders in our Sunday program.  Unfortunately,
I don't know sign, but a friend of mine is fluent and is willing to
translate the blessings for me and my kids.  After they learn the basic
blessing, we'll set the signs to music (one is "La'asok B'divrei Torah" -
Kol B'Seder).  I chose that blessing because we usually start class by
reciting it every Sunday.

American Sign is beautifully fluid and goes well with music.  I'm looking
forward to learning the blessings and seeing my students "say" the blessing
with their entire bodies.  I'm also looking forward to other people's
responses to Rick.  I'm hoping to learn a lot from this list.

Janice




Dr. Janice N. Steirn
Department of Psychology
P.O. Box 8041
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA 30460
(912) 681-5505
Internet:  JSteirn (at) GaSou(dot)edu