It's review time! Make a list, large enough for the children to see, of all the songs that your Primary will be singing for the Primary Sacrament Program this fall. Sing through each song. After each song, ask the children to rank or grade it with a "10" being awesome and "1" needing a lot of work. You could ask 3 teachers and 3 children to be the judges and hold up a number much like the Olympics. Make sure you record the grade. Next week work on the song that receives the lowest mark.
This is a great way to help the children "own" the songs and know which ones need improvement.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Wheels a'turning
In honor of our pioneers, we are making a wagon wheel. Using a large piece of black paper, cut a large circle, then cut the middle out leaving a large ring about 1 inch thick. Cut a small circle for the middle of the wheel. Now cut spokes for the wheel out of brown paper. (If you would prefer use brightly colored paper for the wheel and spokes - the children will love the colors!) Depending on the time, put a phrase from several songs on the back of each spoke. Have the children guess the song and then sing it. See how many spokes you can put in the wheel.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Stars in the Sky
July is a great time to reflect on our pioneer heritage. This activity is perfect for reviewing program songs or pioneer songs.
Use a large picture of a covered wagon or handcart (clipart or a picture from the library). Place the picture in the middle of the board. Cut out several stars (your choice of colors). I have a bag of 50 or more stars that I have saved. Tell the children that the pioneers slept under the stars each night. Our goal is to put as many stars in the sky as possible. Each time you sing a song or verse, ask a few children to choose a star and put it up on the board. Choose the songs that need reviewing. If the song needs to be repeated allow more stars on the board.
Activities such as this one keeps the children focused during singing time and as they sing songs more than once.
Use a large picture of a covered wagon or handcart (clipart or a picture from the library). Place the picture in the middle of the board. Cut out several stars (your choice of colors). I have a bag of 50 or more stars that I have saved. Tell the children that the pioneers slept under the stars each night. Our goal is to put as many stars in the sky as possible. Each time you sing a song or verse, ask a few children to choose a star and put it up on the board. Choose the songs that need reviewing. If the song needs to be repeated allow more stars on the board.
Activities such as this one keeps the children focused during singing time and as they sing songs more than once.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Whenever I Think about Pioneers
Regardless of where you live, July 24 is an important date to all of us. It is important enough to sing about! "Whenever I Think about Pioneers" p. 222, is a great song to sing this month. I teach all 4 verses to the children and then we work on the duet - verses 3 and 4 (which are almost the same but different melody).
1st verse: use a picture of pioneers and talk about the children that came, too. Sing the verse then have the children sing it a few times.
2nd verse: I use 1 or 2 words from each line - play games, fun, slept and measured. I tell them about what "measured journey" means. the pioneers measured the circumference of a wagon wheel and a counter was placed on the wheel to count the rotations and that's how they measured their journey. Sing the verse. be sure to tell the children that it is a different melody. Have the pianist play it through while you sing it.
3rd and 4th verses: you could write the two verses side by side on a poster or chalk board and then look at the differences. Sing them both to see how they fit with the music. Then try singing them as a duet.
This may take two weeks to complete.
1st verse: use a picture of pioneers and talk about the children that came, too. Sing the verse then have the children sing it a few times.
2nd verse: I use 1 or 2 words from each line - play games, fun, slept and measured. I tell them about what "measured journey" means. the pioneers measured the circumference of a wagon wheel and a counter was placed on the wheel to count the rotations and that's how they measured their journey. Sing the verse. be sure to tell the children that it is a different melody. Have the pianist play it through while you sing it.
3rd and 4th verses: you could write the two verses side by side on a poster or chalk board and then look at the differences. Sing them both to see how they fit with the music. Then try singing them as a duet.
This may take two weeks to complete.
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