Jesus Is My Shepherd

Our Primary has chosen to learn "Jesus Is My Shepherd" printed in the Sept. 2013 Friend, for this month.  The simplified version is perfect for teaching the song to the children.  The original version has an optional obligato and the piano accompaniment does not include the melody.

Click here to download the free visual aids that can be used to help teach the song.

Jesus Is My Shepherd

Jesus is my shepherd.  I’m His precious lamb. use Jesus and lamb

Tenderly He guides me with his gentle hand.   hold up you hands

Calm are waters where He leads   

                            use picture of water with the pasture - place the lamb and Jesus by the water

Green are pastures where He feed me.  picture of the green pasture - place the lamb and Jesus the grass

Jesus is my Shepherd.  He loves me.  place your hand over your heart or cut out a red heart

Jesus is my Shepherd.  Jesus knows my name,  place the name on the lamb

For His sheep are numbered; each He loves the same.  place all the numbered sheep in the pasture

If my tiny feet should roam 

                              place the foot prints part way off of the pasture with the lamb behind the prints

He would seek to bring me home.  move Jesus close to the roaming lamb 

Jesus is my shepherd.  He loves me.  He loves me.   

                            place your hand over your heart or cut out a red heart

                           Remind the children to repeat "He loves me."

"Latter-day Prophets" Review

Here are  some ideas to review "Latter-day Prophets" that the children will enjoy.  If possible, find pictures of each prophet named in the song.  Line them across the board in a mixed up order (2 or 3 rows depending on the size of the pictures).  Sing the song.  Ask two or three children to put them in order.  Give them 30 seconds then have them sit back down.  Sing it again and ask two more children to continue putting the prophets in order.  Again, give them 30 seconds and then have them sit back down.  Continue this process until the prophets are in order.  If you can't find pictures, use their names printed on strips of paper big enough for the children to see.

You can also try putting them in order backwards beginning with Pres. Monson.  Make sure you sing the song several times so all the children can memorize the order.

"Fathers"

As soon as Mother's Day is over, Father's Day is 5 weeks away (4 weeks of practicing or learning songs).  One of my favorite Father's Day songs is "Fathers" p. 209.  I like to have the children learn all 3 verses as they talk about fathers, bishops - fathers of our ward and Heavenly Father.  The following are picture ideas to help prompt while learning the song:

Verse 1:
picture of a dad, a family and a flashlight or light bulb with the word "wisdom" written underneath.
Verse 2:
picture of your bishop and a picture of a bishop helping ward members
Verse 3
picture of children singing and a picture of Christ - with little children
Chorus
a heart shape, picture of eye glasses, compass and the last phrase I point up inferring heaven.

Call attention to all the rhymes. 

Sing the song phrase by phrase using the pictures to help the children.  Be sure to repeat several times so the children learn each phrase.

Mother's Day Review

Make a list of songs that you would like to review: songs that the children have learned for the up-coming Sacrament Mtg. program, Mother's Day songs and a few "wiggle" songs and don't forget the favorite "Popcorn Popping."  Write the names of the songs on strips of paper.  Gather some artificial flowers and secure the strips of paper onto the stems.  Place the flowers on the floor or table.  Bring a vase for the flowers.  Choose children to "pick" a flower.  Sing the song and place the flowers in the vase.  Hopefully, the vase will be full by the end of singing time.

"Mother, Tell Me a Story"

"Mother, Tell Me a Story" p. 204, is a great song to teach the children. Ask the Sister teachers to sing the "mother" verse and after, have everyone sing the duet.  You could also ask someone in your ward that sings to learn the "mother" part (second verse) and then do the duet.  I could be a perfect "special number" for next week - Mother's Day!