What are we being taught?

Each song that we learn in Primary teaches us something that Jesus would like us to learn.  As you review the program songs, ask the children what we are being taught in each song.  There may be several things that they come up with.  Allow several children to share their thoughts as time permits.  Make sure you manage your time so all the songs are sung.  This activity can be tied into the coming General Conference.  Everyone who speaks will give us a message that Jesus would like us to learn.

Cookie Review

Great idea from out of town!  If you are okay with giving treats after the program here's a great way to have the children help earn one.

Choose a simple cookie recipe.  I have included one below.  As you review songs for the next several weeks for the program, have the children earn an ingredient as they sing a song beautifully.  That means knowing the words and melody, dynamics, actions (if any), smiling, singing loud enough (not shouting), etc.  Tell them that they will need to do their best to earn all the ingredients before the program.  After the program (during primary or as they leave), you will put the ingredients together and give them each a cookie.

2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup margerine or butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugars
Add eggs and vanilla
Add all dry ingredients  (Do not add more flour)
Refrigerate over night
Form small balls and place on slightly greased cookie sheet
Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes  (time may vary)
Makes about 48 cookies depending on the size of each cookie

If you need more repetitions of a song, divide up the flour, eggs and chocolate chips and earn one cup or egg at a time.  You could write each ingredient on a large strip of paper and tape each ingredient to the board.  Cut out a paper mixing bowl or use a real one and let a child put the strip of paper with the ingredient written on it in the bowl.  Remind the children that the cookies will not turn out right if they don't have ALL the ingredients in the bowl.

This is a great motivator!

Choosing the Right through the Scriptures

Our theme this year is "Choose the Right."  A great way to keep that theme in the children's minds -- and the program songs, is to find ways people in the scriptures chose the right - or didn't.  Choose 7 or 8 pictures (from the ward library or your own) of people in the scriptures that depict them choosing the right.

• Lehi and the liahona
• Nephi building the ship
• Moroni and the Standard of Liberty
• 2000 Stripling Warriors
• Abraham sacrificing Issac
• Judas betraying Christ (poor choice)
• Peter denying Christ (poor choice)
• Adam and Eve leaving the Garden of Eden (poor choice)
• Joseph Smith praying in the grove
• Pioneers - crossing the plains, the crickets, building a temple, etc.

Choose your favorites or the children's favorites.  Sing one of the program songs then hold up a picture and ask the children to tell about the choice that is being made in it.  Continue singing a song and talking about one picture after the song as time permits.

Working on a Difficult Song

Sometimes in preparing for a program, we get lost in the "singing through the songs."  This week, determine which song is hard - hard to remember the words, hard to remember the melody, just plain hard, therefore it doesn't sound as good as all the rest of the songs.  Once at Primary, ask the children which one is "hard" for them.  Hopefully, it is the same one you have already determined.  Quickly tell them the story of Nephi and his brothers returning to get the plates from Laban.  Sing "Nephi's Courage."   Then explain that we have been asked to sing this hard song (which ever one you and the children have decided on).  With the Lord's help, we can do it just like Nephi did.  Sing the difficult song through.  Work on the words that are difficult to remember or go over the difficult part of the melody a few times.  Ask the children to remember to ask Heavenly Father to help them remember the words, etc. to this song and help them sing it well because "the Lord will prepare a way for them to remember and sing the song beautifully."

The Word Count

Reviewing songs in preparation for a program can become tedious.  I feel that it is my job to never let a child feel bored.  I call this activity "The Word Count."  Choose a song to be reviewed.  Choose 5 or 6 words that are repeated or a long word or one that is only used once.  For example, "Choose the Right:"

• Repeated words - choose, right
• Long word - evermore
• Word used once - wisdom, light, mark

Choose a few more songs and do the same thing.  List all the words on the board.  Ask the children to keep track of the words that they sing while they review (sing) the songs.  You could also have one or two children come to the board and mark next to the word when it is sung. 

The children will focus on the words as well as on the activity.