Alleluia Instruments

To engage the children in a part of the Mass

The children will be inspired to see the Mass as a celebration.

• Paper plates (two per child)
• Buttons
• Stapler (You may want a couple, depending on the number of children.)
• Markers

• Explain to the children that the Mass is a celebration of Jesus' word and life and that we come to church to share in that celebration.
• Pass out two plates to every child.
• Invite the children to write their names on the plates and begin to decorate the bottom sides with images from church.
• When they have decorated their plates, ask the children to place one plate bottom side down, place some buttons on the plate, place the other plate, inverted, on top and staple together. You now have musical shakers.
• Have the children line up around the room with their shakers. Have them walk around the room, singing a familiar Gospel Acclamation "Alleluia" from the Mass and shaking their instruments to the rhythm of the chorus.
• Explain that prayer can be loud and joyous and still be good.

Art/Space Smart, Body Smart, Music Smart

You could also get background music to shake and march to.