Father's Day

Father's Day is 6 weeks away. You can start teaching several Father's Day songs and they will be awesome by June 20.
"Fathers" p. 209 This is a long song so I like to teach it early so we can review it for several weeks.

Idea 1:
Use a picture of a father -- from your library or dad's in the ward.
If possible, obtain a picture of your Bishop.
Picture of Heavenly Father (I like the one in the Sacred Grove)

• Tell the children that this song is about 3 fathers. Show the pictures (in order of the song) and either tell them or let them tell you who they are.
• On a bulletin board or blackboard Put the picture of the father up with a picture of a home and family -- sing the first phrase, then have the children sing it.
• Add the word strips under the pictures: "light," "right" and "good to me." Sing the second phrase, then have the children sing it.
• Sing the 1st verse (no chorus yet) at least 3 more times pointing to the pictures on the board.

2nd verse:

• Put the picture of the bishop on the board and explain that he is the father of our ward and like a shepherd, he tends us with loving care. Make a heart with "loving care" written on it and add that to the board. Sing the first phrase, then have the children sing it.
• Use a picture of a man in a suit (the bishop) helping a child, family or elderly person. (There are several of these types of pictures in your ward library.) Sing the last phrase, then have the children sing it.
• Sing the 2nd verse (no chorus yet) at least 3 more times pointing to the pictures on the board.
• Review the 1st verse.

3rd verse

• Put the picture of Heavenly Father up on the bottom of the board so the rest of the "helps" can go above. Tell the children that He is the father of us all.
• This verse begins with (sing it) "And now we'll sing great praise and rev'rently recall." Word strips, "sing great praise" and "reverently recall" will help. Place them above the picture. Have the children sing this phrase.
• Sing the last phrase, pointing to Heavenly Father then Christ as you sing. Have the children sing this phrase, then sing the 3rd verse at least 3 times.

I teach this all one week and the chorus the next week.

Chorus:

• I sing the first phrase and have the children sing it 3 times.
• The watch us and protect us -- sing the phrase and have the children sing it 3 times.
• Sing both phrases together.
• They guide and direct us back home (heaven). Sing the phrase and have the children sing it 3 times.
• Sing the whole chorus 3 times and then add the verses.

I don't use any visuals for the chorus.