Father's Day Fun

Choose some favorite Father's songs from the Primary Songbook - p. 201, 209 - 2011, 188, 191, 192, 193 are all great family songs that appropriate for Father's Day.

Depending on time and how many songs you choose to sing, ask 1 or more children to tell something about their father.  Then sing one of the songs.  things they can tell about their father could be:

• Favorite: food, game, color, scripture story, etc
• What does he do when he goes to work?
• What do you like to do with him?
• What does he like to do for fun?
• What's your favorite family activity?

*There are several activities in past posts.  Check them out!

Father's Day

Father's Day is two weeks away and there are several songs that celebrate fatherhood and grandpas.  One of my favorites is Fathers, p. 209.  I like the message and the importance of those who "father" each of us.

Begin with the chorus.

• phrase 1: We sing "special" twice: father's are so special with a very special love.
• phrase 2: they watch and protect - they guide and direct
• You may want to make word strips of these two sets of words so the children keep them together.
• phrase 3: Ask the children where the home above is. This phrase will have more meaning if they know that it's talking about heaven.

Verses:

• As you teach each verse, make sure the children know what father we are singing about.
• Use the rhyming words to help keep the words in order.
• Be sure to sing each verse separately several times so the children know the melody and words.
• This may take more than one week to teach.

Out of a Hat

Choose several songs you would like to sing/review.  Include some Father's Day songs if you'd like.  On strips of paper list several things that fathers do for us.  On several strips put a question mark (?).  Put all the pieces of paper in a hat - ball cap, derby hat or any other hat that a dad might wear.  Ask a child to pick a strip of paper.  If it has a "?," they must think of something their dad, grandpa or bishop does for them.  If it has something written on it, have all the children stand that it applies to.

Here are a few ideas for things that fathers do.  Add your ideas that might apply to your own primary.

• Plays ball with me
• Helps me with my homework
• Fixes great breakfasts
• Takes me fishing
• Prays with me
• Tickles me

After each comment, sing a song that you want to review or a Father's Day song.

"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.

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.

Father's Day

Father's Day is 6 weeks away. You can start teaching several Father's Day songs and they will be awesome by June 20.
"Fathers" p. 209 This is a long song so I like to teach it early so we can review it for several weeks.

Idea 1:
Use a picture of a father -- from your library or dad's in the ward.
If possible, obtain a picture of your Bishop.
Picture of Heavenly Father (I like the one in the Sacred Grove)

• Tell the children that this song is about 3 fathers. Show the pictures (in order of the song) and either tell them or let them tell you who they are.
• On a bulletin board or blackboard Put the picture of the father up with a picture of a home and family -- sing the first phrase, then have the children sing it.
• Add the word strips under the pictures: "light," "right" and "good to me." Sing the second phrase, then have the children sing it.
• Sing the 1st verse (no chorus yet) at least 3 more times pointing to the pictures on the board.

2nd verse:

• Put the picture of the bishop on the board and explain that he is the father of our ward and like a shepherd, he tends us with loving care. Make a heart with "loving care" written on it and add that to the board. Sing the first phrase, then have the children sing it.
• Use a picture of a man in a suit (the bishop) helping a child, family or elderly person. (There are several of these types of pictures in your ward library.) Sing the last phrase, then have the children sing it.
• Sing the 2nd verse (no chorus yet) at least 3 more times pointing to the pictures on the board.
• Review the 1st verse.

3rd verse

• Put the picture of Heavenly Father up on the bottom of the board so the rest of the "helps" can go above. Tell the children that He is the father of us all.
• This verse begins with (sing it) "And now we'll sing great praise and rev'rently recall." Word strips, "sing great praise" and "reverently recall" will help. Place them above the picture. Have the children sing this phrase.
• Sing the last phrase, pointing to Heavenly Father then Christ as you sing. Have the children sing this phrase, then sing the 3rd verse at least 3 times.

I teach this all one week and the chorus the next week.

Chorus:

• I sing the first phrase and have the children sing it 3 times.
• The watch us and protect us -- sing the phrase and have the children sing it 3 times.
• Sing both phrases together.
• They guide and direct us back home (heaven). Sing the phrase and have the children sing it 3 times.
• Sing the whole chorus 3 times and then add the verses.

I don't use any visuals for the chorus.