[HANASHIR:3322] trick those kiddos into singing

[Michael and Abby Gostein <gostein...>]

Hi folks!
I have a trick that almost always gets a group of reluctant kiddos to sing and 
do it with gusto. 
It is a trick because I think it distracts the kids from any issues of power 
struggle that might be going on. It focuses on the physical act of singing 
rather than on psychological/motivational reasons for singing or avoiding 
singing.  
The first step is I try not to show personal frustration with them not singing, 
but show concern for them that maybe they have never been told what they need 
to do to make singing work.  I focus on being there to help them because 
obviously they're having difficulty doing it right.
I simply tell them that there is a way to sing much better and stronger than 
how they're singing at the moment.  I tell them it involves really using your 
stomach muscles.  I have them shout out loudly (not screeching) the first words 
they will sing, after showing them how loudly I want them to do it by doing it 
myself.  They usually  get a big kick out of getting to yell in class.  I 
remark to them that they were indeed quite loud (if they were), or I have them 
try to do it even louder if they're a bit reticent at first. If they shout 
well, I tell them that was great and that if they can do that, they have the 
muscle power to sing loudly, too.  Then I have them, with hands on stomachs, go 
back and forth with one group of words, first shouting, then singing, feeling 
what their stomach muscles feel like and how they can maintain the power for 
singing.  Kids like to think they have strong muscles and are showing off their 
muscular strength!
Just a thought --
Abby