Many times I have recommended that we use a melody map for the children because of the way they grasp the song so well with this activity. I just had someone message me about her experience with this activity. She said "We did this today as a review and our primary LOVED it! We were able to SING, SING, SING, SING and they didn’t even notice we sang (the song) 7 times in a row!"So...What is a melody map? What does it look like? Is there only one kind of melody map?Why do I use a melody map? What's the best way to use it?How do you make a melody map?

Answering the questions...

What is a melody map?

A melody map is a colorful poster with different shapes that are a map of the melody of the song.Usually there is one phrase (a musical sentence) per poster board. Often there will be at least 4 poster boards.There are all kinds of maps...blocked graphsdots connected with linesother cutouts connected with lines

Why should I use a melody map?

Collage of 9 children from different ethnic backgrounds. — children-1184825-gallery

Because of the intense concentration as the children try to it figure out.

Because of the literal visual map it gives to the children in their heads of the melody going up and down in a song, and where the words fit into those ups and downs.

Because of the linking in the brain of words and melody both visually and with hearing.

Because it is fun for the children!<smile>

How would you use a melody map?

"What do you see? What do you notice?" As I give this question to the children, they are drawn in to the activity personally. "Squiggly lines!" "Mountains!" "A snake." "Different colors." The answers begin to pop out as the children answer from their own perspective.Then I ask, "What does this map have to do with this song?" I sing the song and occasionally point to the map. See different examples on this site of melody maps.

How do you make a melody map?

Step 1

To make a melody map, you look at the song you would like to present to the children.1. What is the lowest note?2. What is the highest note?3. How many notes are in between?For example this year I made a melody map for the hymn, Come Follow Me. The second note of the song is as low as the song goes (Middle c). The 5th note from the very end is the highest note in the song (c above middle c). When I count the notes starting with the lowest and going to the highest, I count 8.Middle c = 1d = 2e = 3f = 4g = 5a = 6b = 7c = 8

Step 2

Look at the song and write songs in numbers (see above). Group them in phrases (like sentences).For example - the first line of Come Follow Mee, c, f, e, g, high c, b, a, g (3, 1, 4, 3, 5, 8, 7, 6, 5)The third line of Come Follow Me has a flat on the e. I assign flats or sharps a 1/2. Sharps are up 1/2, and flats are down 1/2.For example - the third line of Come Follow Me.e flat, e flat, e flat, d, d, d, e flat, d, b(2 1/2, 2 1/2, 2 1/2, 2, 2, 2, 2 1/2, 2, 7)

Step 3

Take out your poster board and measure off a border (usually 1 or 2 inches).Divide the inner space inside the border into 8 parts. (I did 2 inch increments.)Draw a grid with those measurements onto your poster board.

Step 4

Decide if you want to use any different colors on your map. I used yellow on this map for words about Jesus. I used orange for words about us. I used the color teal for all the rest of the words.Cut circles (squares, clouds, arrows, whatever you choose) in the colors you will need for the words you are representing with certain colors.Paste them on the grid according to the note in the song (#5 or #3 etc.). Draw a line in-between the circles to connect them.Hint #1: I label the back of the poster board with what song it is and which poster board this particular one is out of how many. Ex. Come Follow Me (3 out of 4)Hint #2: I mark the bottom and the top of the poster board. It's is easy to forget which way is up!Hint #3: I store the posters in a big box I bought from a school supply store specifically for posters. It is amazing how many times you get an opportunity to teach a song you already have a melody map for.Hint #4: Don't make a melody map for every song. Choose one or maybe two for the year. That way melody maps don't get uninteresting for the children because of over use. (And you don't have to make as many!<grin>)

How to make a melody map