Share and Sing

Ask several children to find or draw a picture of the nativity.  Collect them before Sunday or have them bring them to Primary.  Share the pictures with the Primary and sing one of the songs in the Christmas section of the Primary Songbook.  Some pictures may be specific, such as a picture of Joseph - the song could be "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem," a picture of a star - "Stars Were Gleaming."  Children could share their picture and choose a song to sing that goes with their picture. 

Another option would be to ask several children to draw or find a picture of a specific song.  Have them share it with the Primary and sing the song.

Treasure Box

Find a box - the size depends on what you put inside.  The box can be decorated or left plain.  Choose a song to teach the children, for instance, "Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus" p. 36.  In the box put the following:

• picture of Samuel the Lamanite
• a number "5" or calendar
• a large star - it can be folded
• picture of baby Jesus or a doll wrapped in a simple blanket
• a map of the world (this could be a "rough" sketch of the Americas, the ocean and Bethlehem)
• picture of angels singing

Bring out one item at a time and sing the song and have the children tell what part of the song it represents.  Or you can bring each item out in order as it is sung.

You can use this for many songs by putting an item in the box that represents something in the song.  The children can guess what song it represents.  Having a list of songs for them to choose from helps narrow the choices down.

This activity is great for Christmas time.  You can have an entire nativity in the box and bring out a piece and sing about it.  Be sure to watch your time so you don't go too long.

Thankful

This is a great week to sing about thankfulness.  I like to sing "I Am Glad for Many Things," p. 151.  Then we sing it several more times replacing "many things" with something specific: "I am glad for my pet frog . . ." or parents, grandparents, turkey, etc.  The children enjoy coming up with things that don't always fit the music but do your best.  Look in the "Gratitude" section of the index and choose some songs to add to singing time.

Quiet Control

Everyone has had difficulty managing a group of children.  I like to vary the songs that we sing from quiet and slow songs to lively ones.  However, sometimes the children don't move well from one mood to another as smoothly as I'd like.  After a lively or active song, here are some things you can try to help the children settle.

• Talk loudly so they can hear you, "If you can hear me put your hands on your shoulders."
• Softer voice, "If you can hear me clap your hands once."
• Softer voice, "If you can hear me tap your little fingers."
• Even softer, "If you can hear me lace your fingers."

There are a variety of things you can ask the children to do, but the softer your voice the quieter they become.  This works great as we change from singing time to closing exercises.

Word Hints

As I have been working with the children to memorize the Sacrament Meeting Songs, I find that there are a few words that they are singing incorrectly.  I put each word on a small circle (6 to 8 inches wide - I like a circle shape) then taped it to a popsicle stick.  I hold it up just before we sing the song and it's just enough to remind them to sing the correct word.

Focus

Practicing for the "big" performance can be tedious.  I like to use signs like "P" for piano or soft and "F" for forte or loud.  I also use a "Hum" sign as well as a "boys" and "girls" sign.  This helps keep the children focused on me.  They quite enjoy the changes.

5 Star Singing

Reviewing songs prior to a preformance is critical.  However, the process has to have some "pizazz!"  Cut out several stars in varying colors or all one color.  Make them at least 3" in diameter.  Write out each song title on the board or make large word strips of each title (so you can use them again).  They can be listed in any order.  Sing each song and then ask by show of hands (this can be totally silent) how many stars the singing was worth.  Example:

• Do we know this song well enough for 1 star?
• 2 stars?
• 3 stars?
• 4 stars?
• 5 stars?  This would mean that they all know the words memorized and sing it the "best."

Place the number of stars next to the title.  This visual will help the children see which songs need extra work.  In two weeks try this again to see improvement.  Make sure you write down how many stars each song received the first time you did this activity.

Charade Review

Reviewing songs is difficult because children, and sometimes teachers, don't see the point in it.  Games and activities will certainly take the "boring" out of reviewing. 

Put the title and first line of the songs to review on strips of paper.  Place the strips in a basket or container.  Explain to the children that they are going to act out the title or some part of the song.  The rest of the children will raise their hands and guess what song it is.  Then we will sing the song.  Choose one or two children to come up to the front of the room.  Have them pick a paper out of the basket.  Whisper the title and/or the first line of the song to those who cannot read yet.  Have them go out in the hall for 30 seconds (I time them) to discuss what they will do to get the rest of the children to guess the correct song.  If they have trouble guessing, you can give them hints.  Be sure to watch your time so you sing more than "act out" songs.

Sunshine review

Review time for the Sacrament meeting program can be a challenge -- keeping the children's attention, keeping singing time fresh and actually improving the songs.  With August being a warm, sunny month, try this activity:

• Cut out a large, bright yellow circle for a sun - no smaller than an 8 1/2" in diameter.
• Cut out at least 12 sun rays.  They can be strips of paper or triangles.  I like to use various colors of yellow and orange.

Place the sun in the middle of the chalk board.  Add a ray every time a song or verse is sung well, memorized or any other improvement.  The goal is to get as many rays around the sun as possible.

"Building" a Temple

This is the time that I review songs again and again so that the children are ready for the "Sacrament Program."  I am using the Salt Lake Temple line drawing and enlarging it so I can cut it out in sections and "build" the temple.  Depending on how many songs I am reviewing will depend on how many pieces I will need to make of the temple.  Most primaries will be singing 7 songs, so you will need seven pieces of the temple.  You could cut the temple up into puzzle-like pieces or cut 7 strips and start with the bottom strip and "build" up.  Each time the children sing a song 3 times or perfectly, you can add a strip to the temple.  If you are doing a puzzle, you can put the name of each song on the back of a puzzle piece.  As the children choose a puzzle piece, they will sing that song.  By the end of singing time the whole temple should be "built" or put together.  Watch your time so the picture can be completed.

Click here for temple clip art or search for the temple of your choice.

Covered Wagon Puzzle

The 24th of July is a big event in Church history -- especially in Utah!  For choosing time this week, I am helping the children put together a covered wagon.  The pieces I will use are the rectangle wooden box (the wagon, use brown paper), the cover (use white paper), two wheels - brown, 2 wheel rims -- black, the wagon tongue -- brown and the wagon seat -- brown.  That equals 8 pieces.  If using it for choosing time, 8 different songs could be on the backs of each piece.  If using it to teach a new song, 8 phrases could be sung, putting up a piece after the phrase is sung 3 times.  Activities like this help keep the children focused and anxious for the end results.  Watch the time so you can always finish the putting the wagon together.

Reverence Wagon Train

For the next few weeks, I am doing a "Reverence Wagon Train."  We all need a little reminder to be reverent now and again.  This week the children will color and cut out their wagon.  I will gather them up and tape them in a line around the room, one at a time, as they are caught being reverent -- during sharing time, singing time, closing or opening exercises, walking to and from classes.  Our hope is to have a wagon train all around the room by the end of July.  You can download a line drawing of a wagon by goggling "covered wagon line drawing free clip-art."

My Flag

It's very important that children gain a love for their country.  "My Flag, My Flag," p. 225, is a great song to teach them.  The words are simple to teach and you can draw parallel to the Book of Mormon story of "The Title of Liberty."  Have the children help retell the story then sing each phrase a few times.  Have the children tell how their flag makes them feel.

Father's Day Tie

Cut out a large man's tie -- 2 to 3 feet long out of poster board or construction paper.  Any color will work.  Then cut out 1/2 inch stripes or "quarter" size polka dots.  The children will decorate "Father's Tie." 

• You can put titles of songs on the backs of the dots or stripes.  
• Teach a new song a phrase at a time and put up a few dots or stripes after they sing a phrase correctly.  

If you want to use this activity next week or next year, laminate the tie for durability.

Father's Day

Father's Day is three weeks away.  Our Primary does the special number in sacrament meeting on Mother's and Father's Day.  In order to have them sound wonderful and know the songs well, they will need all three weeks to practice.  (It's really only two weeks because we sing ON Father's Day.)  We like to do "Daddy's Homecoming," "When Grandpa Comes," and "My Dad."  We have also done "Fathers" because it talks about all of our fathers.  For time sake I do the 1st verse and chorus then verse 2 and 3 and chorus.  If you are lucky enough to do a longer program during Primary sharing time and invite Dads, Adding "Love Is Spoken Here" and "Families Can Be Together Forever" makes a nice program.

My Favorite Song

Write the title of all the songs that the children know for the 2011 Sacrament Program.  (I put the titles on strips of paper so I could use them again in other activities.)  Tell the children that they are going to choose their favorite song.  They may choose one favorite song.   Sing each song then you can tally several different ways.  Choose the best way for your primary.

• Say and point to each song title.  Have children stand up if it is their favorite.  Count the children and put the number after the song title.  They could raise their hand rather than stand.
• Let each child come up to the board and make a tally mark next to their favorite song, then add them up.
• Give each child a strip of colored paper (1" by 3") and have each child tape their strip next to their favorite song.
• Put each title on a paper bag or basket.  Give each child a strip, square or any other shape of colored paper and have them put their paper in the bag with their favorite song on it.

Have a few children tally the votes while you sing the songs again with the rest of the children.  If time permits, take a vote of all the teachers/adults in the room.   The children especially like to see their teacher's favorite song.

Praise to the Man

This month's theme is "The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored."  I find it interesting that there are no "helps" for teaching the hymn "Praise to the Man."  I have been teaching our primary this hymn in sign language for the past 7 months.  Each year I decide which hymn/song will be the hardest to teach or learn and I then learn and teach the sign language for it.  The Church music web site has all the Hymns and Primary songs recorded in sign language.  The children learn it much faster than I do.  I like the fact that when the words are big and/or difficult, the sign language helps them remember them.  Sign language also keeps the children focused.  Once they know the signing, we often "sing" the hymn in just sign language.  The piano plays and the room is silent as the children focus on the words and signs.  It is quite a reverent experience.

"I Often Go Walking"

Mother's Day is a week away.  "I Often Go Walking" is an easy song to teach and perfect for children to sing to their mothers or use for a Mother's Day program.

• Use a green four-leafed clover for the first phrase
• Cut several blue flowers out of paper or use a bouquet of blue flowers for the second phrase.
• Play like you are gathering/picking flowers for the third phrase.
• Point to the children and tell them to play like they are pointing to their mother for the last phrase.

The Easter Egg Basket

A favorite Easter activity is "The Egg Basket."  I have 12 or more plastic eggs in a grass filled basket.  Inside each egg is a piece of paper with a favorite song, Easter song, an Article of Faith song or one of the Primary program songs.  It would be very easy to sing for 45 minutes!  You could also put questions about the crucifixion and resurrection to help the children understand Easter.  Questions could be:

• How many days was Christ in the tomb?
• Who was the first person Christ saw when he left the tomb?
• Who were the two women at the foot of the cross?
• Why did Jesus show his hands?

 Have the children choose an egg and read the paper inside.  Answer the question or sing the song.

Easter Presentation through Music

Using the Easter Primary songs, you can teach a beautiful lesson on the resurrection of Christ.

• He Sent His Son  p. 34
• Did Jesus Really Live Again  p. 64
• He Died That We Might Live Again  p. 65
• Easter Hosanna  p. 68
• Jesus Is Risen  p. 70
• Hosanna  p. 66

If your primary knows all of these songs, it will probably take most of singing time.  Have a few pictures of Christ's last week.  In between each song ask the children to tell about one of the pictures.  This is also a great time for you to share your testimony.

Easter and Spring Songs

In the March Friend, there is a beautiful Easter song,"He Came to Us."  You can use pictures of Christ during His last week on earth as well as the Resurrection.  These pictures will help the children understand the words to the song and the purpose of the crucifixion and resurrection.  If time permits, "Popcorn Popping" p. 242, is a perfect "active" song.

Latter Day Prophet and Leaders

As we prepare for General Conference, this activity will help children recognize the First Presidency and the twelve apostles today.  Tell them that many of them will be speaking and what they say is what Heavenly Father wants us to hear.  As one of our songs says, "If I listen with my heart, I hear the Savior's words."

Find pictures of the First Presidency and the twelve apostles and tape them on the board.  Behind each picture put the title of songs that you would like to review.  Behind the rest of the pictures put all or some of the following question:

• How can I prepare for General Conference?
• What can I do during conference to help me listen?
• How can I help my family listen to conference?

I used these questions several times because there are many ideas that the children will want to share.  There are some excellent ideas in The Friend that you could suggest, also. Let the children take turns choosing a picture, then tell who it is.  Sing the songs behind the pictures or answer the questions.

I print a list of all the names of the twelve and the First Presidency so the children can see them.  They may not be able to put a name with a picture so the teachers can help.  Check off the names as they are used.

As we approach General Conference, I thought it would be fun to review the songs that we have learned through the prophets.  This week I have chosen several (5 to 10) ancient prophets.  I chose pictures of several prophets from the "Gospel Art Picture Kit."  Behind each picture I have put the title of a song that we have learned.  If you are learning a song, put a phrase from the song on or behind the pictures.  Begin by telling the children that the prophets have preached God's word since the world began.  Heavenly Father wants us to be happy and make good choices so He gave us prophets who will teach us what the Lord wants us to know.  The songs that we sing also help us to learn the gospel.  The prophets on the board are all ancient prophets or prophets that lived before Christ came to the earth.  Let's see if you can name the prophet or tell a little about him, then we will sing the song (or phrase) behind the picture.  After we sing the song (or phrase) let's see if we can figure out what Heavenly Father wants us to learn.  Continue choosing a picture and singing.

Next week (the week before Conference) we will use pictures of latter day prophets or the current prophet and the 12 apostles.  You may need a week to gather these pictures.

Stand for the Right

"Stand for the Right" is the song for March as outlined in the Primary Sacrament Program for 2011.  This is one of the easiest songs to teach and perfect for the upcoming General Conference in April.  Use a picture of Pres. Monson.  If possible find pictures of other prophets both latter day and ancient.  Explain to the children that prophets have all told us to "be true."  We need to "be true at work, at play, in darkness or light and always stand for the right."  Choose actions for "work," "play," "darkness" and "light."  You can also find a picture of each of these words -- a child working, playing, nighttime and daytime.  The "CTR" shield is perfect for the words "be true."  Cut out a shield and write "be true" on it.  Each time you sing "be true" hold up the shield.  The last phrase, "stand for the right," stand like a soldier.  The children will enjoy doing the same actions as you, while they are learning the song.  Be sure to sing the song at least 5 times.

Kites

March is the perfect time to fly a kite!  Draw, color and cut out several kites.  Put phrases of a new song on the backs of the kites and let the children choose a kite to put on the board.  Sing the phrase a few times.  Choose another kite.  Depending on the size of the child, the kits can fly high or low.  You can also put different titles of songs on the backs for choosing time.  Adding some clouds to the kites adds variety to the board.

Penguins on Parade

The last week of the month is a great time to review songs that you have learned.  This is when I like to use seasonal activities.  Copy, color and cut out several penguins.  I've included a penguin (my daughter is an artist) that you can use or you can look for one on "Google" under "penguin clip art.  If you want to review one song, make word strips of the phrases from the song and tape them to the back of the penguin.  Place the penguins on the floor or in a basket.  Let the children take turns choosing a penguin.  Read the phrase and sing the song or verse.  The child holds the penguin until he or she hears the phrase. He then tapes the penguin on the board in the penguin parade.  By the end of singing time there should be a parade of penguins on the board.  You can cut out white or silver pieces of paper to look like ice for the penguins to stand on.  If you are reviewing several songs, tape the title on the backs of the penguins instead of phrases.  The child can then tape his penguin on the board.

"I Will Follow God's Plan"

A rebus is a picture or symbol that represents a word, part of a word or phrase.  These are fun for all ages but especially helpful for non-readers -- junior primary specifically.  With free clip art available on the internet, finding pictures for songs has become much easier.  I use "Google" to find pictures.  An example is: type in the Google space "flashlight free clip art."  Up comes many examples of flashlights or web sites to go to and find more examples.  In the February "Friend," p. 11, "I Will Follow God's Plan," there is a perfect example of teaching a song using rebus.  It was fun to watch the children figure out what the pictures stood for.  I displayed all the pictures in random order on either side of the black board.  I sang the first phrase, then the children chose the pictures that best fit the phrase and we put them in order in the middle of the board.  We all sang the phrase twice.  We did the same process for each phrase always singing the new phrase then the whole song.

The Friend

If you are working in Primary you need to subscribe to The Friend!  If you don't have the magazine, check out the Church website.  There are great ideas there, as well.  On page 11 in the 2011 February Friend, there is a great idea for teaching "I Will Follow God's Plan."  Check out this site:  Friend.lds.org

Matching Game - If I Listen With My Heart

You will need 8 pieces of paper of two different colors (16 pieces in all)  On on color of paper write the first 8 phrases -- one phrase per paper:

1. If I had been a little child
2. I can hear His words of Peace
3. I hear a living prophet speak
4. The prophet teaches ho to live
5. He comforts me in times of need
6. He testifies of Christ
7. He speaks to me in quiet ways
8. I hear the Savior's voice

On the second color of paper write the following words -- one per paper:

1. First Verse
2. First Verse
3. Second Verse
4. Second Verse
5. Third Verse
6. Third Verse
7. Third Verse
8. Chorus

Make sure that you cannot see the words from the back side.  (You may want to mount the papers on another piece of paper -- construction paper works well.)  On the board (or wall) tape the first 8 papers on one side face side towards the board.  On the other side tape the other 8 papers face side towards the board. The children will take turns turning over one paper from one side and matching to the correct verse on the other side of the board..  Sing each verse after each match.

You can make it a little easier by taping the verses facing out and taking turns turning over the phrases to match with the verses.

Winter Wonderland

Regardless of your location, snowflakes and snowmen can make a fun singing time in January and February.  I am using this activity as a way to reinforce what we have learned.  Make several snowflakes.  On the back tape word strips from the song you want to review.  I chose "If I Listen with My Heart."  Because I have all the words on the computer, it is easy to print and cut the song into word phrases.  I am putting "chorus" on one snowflake so we can sing it once. I am using two phrases from each verse, so I will have one phrase per snowflake -- that equals 6, plus one snowflake for the chorus.  I will also put this statement on 3 or 4 more snowflakes: "Tell one thing you love about Primary."  This adds some variety to singing time.  Choose children to pick a snowflake that you have taped up around the room.  Sing the verse that the phrase comes from.  Pick another snowflake.  Continue singing the verse that the phrase comes from or tell what is wonderful about primary.  If time permits, sing the entire song to close singing time.

When I explain the activity, I give an example of how we will sing the verses and what I think is wonderful about Primary, just so the children understand.

Snowflakes:

1. Cut several circles - varying sizes  (keep them at least 6 inches in diameter or larger)
2. Fold in half, then in thirds -- snowflakes are 6 pointed
3. Cut small triangle, diamond, circle or any other shapes out on the folded sides and outer edge.  Be sure to cut the tip in a arc or triangle so the middle has an interesting shape.
4. Open up the paper and there you have a beautiful -- or at least a creative snowflake.

No matter how they turn out, the children will love them.  You can also make square and rectangle shaped snowflakes, too.  (If you have grade school children, they might like to do this project for you.)  If you choose to laminate them, they will last for years.

Memory Game

I'm working on memorization of "If I Listen with My Heart."  One of my memory activities is to write the entire song on the chalk or white board.  We sing it through.  Then I erase a couple of words or a phrase or line and then sing it again.  Depending on the time, I erase two or more phrases at a time or just a few words.  We sing it all the way through after each time something is erased.  By the end of singing time the song will be totally erased and should be memorized.  I like to sing it for the closing song to "seal" it in their brains. 

"If I Listen With My Heart" variety in singing

In an earlier post I gave some suggestions on teaching "If I Listen With My Heart."  Here is an extended activity in learning this song.  I printed each verse out and pasted each verse on a separate piece of construction paper and the chorus is on a separate piece.  I put each verse up on the black board, including the chorus.  We sang through the song.  Then I asked the children how we could make it more dramatic or more listenable instead of just singing it through.  We eliminated going fast and slow -- but we could slow down (ritardando) at the end.  They came up with dynamics - loud and soft.  So we talked a little about where it would be good to sing soft and loud, where we could gradually get louder or softer and marked it next to the words.  As we sang it through with the dynamics, the children were excited to hear how wonderful it sounded. 

I made several cards with "f" for forte (loud), "p" for piano (soft), "ff," "pp," "mp," - mezzo piano (moderately soft), "mf," "crescendo" - gradually get louder, "diminuendo" - gradually get softer and "ritardando" gradually slow down.  I laminated them all because I use them a lot.  This also helps the children learn the correct musical terms.  We have fun using these especially when the children hold them up as we are singing a song.  We all have to be watching so we know how to sing.

New Year 2011

We all have a new program to work with this year.  Organization and planning will be the very best way to teach and learn the songs for 2011 "I Know the Scriptures Are True."  Begin by making a folder with a copy of all the songs that you will be teaching this year.  You can make copies from the Church music website.  Simply click on the link and type in the title of the hymn or primary song, then press "copy" on the lift side of the screen.  I make a copy or two for the accompanist, also, so she or he has the music all together.  I then make a page of all the words for the songs.  I use this to enlarge and make word charts for the children or phrase charts, etc.  I also make a copy for the teachers and give it to them just before we perform the program in the fall.  I don't like to give them the words before because I need their attention so the children will concentrate on me as well.  (Sometimes the teachers let the children have the words and then they never get the songs memorized.)  I then start memorizing the songs in January so I am ready to teach them.  I also start thinking of different ways to teach the songs.  I work with the presidency of the primary and choose the two songs of our choice so I know in January all the songs for the program. 

Each month, I will post several ideas for singing time.  Please feel free to ask questions or ask for help.