Saturday, May 28, 2011

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.

Friday, May 13, 2011

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.