Fathers

Father's Day is a month away.  We have a tendency to make more of Mother's Day.  There a several great "Father's" songs in the Primary Songbook that have some great messages about our fathers.  Let's learn some!

"Fathers" p. 209

• picture of a home (house)
• picture of a church
• picture of God the Father and His son, Jesus (first vision)

Sing the first verse.  Point out the rhyming words - family/me and light/right

Sing it three times with the children.

Sing the second verse.  Rhyming words are - care/there and needs/deeds

Sing it three times with the children.

Sing the third verse.   Rhyming words are - call/all and One/Son

Sing it three times with the children.

Chorus:

• Sing the chorus
• "Special" is used twice in the first phrase.  
• fathers are special
• they have a special love
• I use a word strip for the next phrase to help everyone remember the order
• watch - protect
• guide - direct
• The last phrase, point up to heaven

Sing it three times with the children.

Now try the whole song!

Celebrate Father's

Celebrate fathers through song!  List all the Father's/ family songs the children know, then gather the "dad bag."

Dad Bag:

• shoes, small shovel, hammer, dish towel, tie, barbecue spatula, scriptures, child's book, The Friend magazine etc. or any other item that you can relate to fathers
• place in a bag
• pull one item out or let a child pull one out and ask how fathers could use it.
• sing one of your chosen songs.
• repeat process

Children will enjoy sharing how their fathers help them and it will remind them of all the things fathers do for us!

Review Father's Day Songs

Use ALL or as much time as you can singing.  Children will learn far more from song than any lesson or presentation.  They will hum or sing a song when they are busy working or playing.  They recognize when a song is familiar to them.  Next time your congregation sings one of the primary songs in Sacrament meeting, glance around at the children and see their faces light up and join in singing.  Music is powerful!

Review Father's Day songs this week.  Choose various children to tell one thing that their father does for them then sing one of the Father's Day songs.  Include grandfathers, uncles, home teacher, Bishop etc.

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.

Father's Day review activity

If possible, write the names of each child on a paper and put them in a bag or box.  (We have all their names on popcicle sticks in a jar.)  Choose several songs that you need to review along with some Father's Day songs.  Give the list to your pianist.  Let the pianist choose which one to sing.

• draw 5 names from the bag and ask them to tell what they like about their dad.
• Ask another child to guess what the song as the pianist plays the introduction.  Sing the song.
• draw 5 names from the bag and ask them to tell what their dads do for them. 
• Ask another child to guess what the song as the pianist plays the introduction.  Sing the song.

Continue in this fashion as long as time permits.

My Dad and When Grandpa Comes

Father's Day is a week away.  One of my favorites is "When Grandpa Comes" p. 201.  The children especially like the phrase "He has a wrinkly, twinkly smile;" and the end of each phrase rhymes - except for the last line.  Sing it through twice then ask the children a question that can be answered in the song.

• What does Grandpa say?   the kindest things
• How does he say it?    in the kindest way
• Describe Grandpa's smile?  wrinkly, twinkly
• It's always fun when who comes?  Grandpa

My Dad, p. 211 is another great song about fathers.  Note that the first two and last two phrases rhyme. Sing each phrase then have the children sing it with you.  Sing the next phrase and have the children sing it twice.  Sing the first 2 phrases.  Follow the same pattern for the last two phrases.  Ask questions that can be answered in the song.  After each question, sing the song and ask the children to raise their hand when they sing the answer.  You might want to mix up the questions so they are not in the order as the song.

• Who's your favorite pal?  My dad
• Who do you help every day?  My dad
• What is plain to see?  I want to be like him in every way
• What does your dad teach you?  honesty  is best in all you do
• I'm very glad that ____________.  (fill in the blank)  he's my dad
• Who loves you?   My dad

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.

Father's Day Program

Father's Day is a week away.  Here is a great idea to make it a special day.

• Learn 2 or 3 or more Father's Day songs  (review them if the children know them)
• Cut out a "tie" bookmark and have the children decorate it and sign their names. (If you make the bookmarks this week, gather them up and give them to the children on Father's Day to give to their Dad - some dads will get more than one.)
• Ask 2 or 3 children to be prepared to tell what makes a great Dad or Grandpa.
• Invite Dads to come to Primary during sharing/singing time.
• Sing a song and then have one of the assigned children tell what makes a great Dad or Grandpa. 
• Sing a song and then have the next assigned child tell what makes a great Dad or Grandpa. 
• Continue until the assigned children have all spoken.
•  End with a song.

This could also be done during closing exercises or the last 20 minutes of Primary.

Click here to download the tie bookmarks.

"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 Toolbox

Gather several tools that a dad would have or use.  If you can find a tool belt or tool box to put the tools in, that would be even better.  Label each tool (strip of paper taped on the tool) with attributes of a father, such as, helpful, good listener, good example, kind, hard worker, fun to play with, homework-helper, great chef.  Feel free to use your own ideas.   Have the children choose a tool and read the attribute.  Sing a Father's Day song or choose songs you want to review.  After singing the song, ask the children if there was an attribute in the song that a dad could have.
Examples:
I Can Be Valiant -- Dads are valiant, they serve others, etc.
I Am a Child of God  --  Dads help us find our way back to Heavenly Father
When Grandpa Comes -- Grandpas are kind and say kind things, they brighten our day

After each song choose another tool.  If time permits, have the children tell how their father has that attribute.

Fathers of Us All

We all have many fathers.  Of course our own fathers and grandfathers are very important, but there are many men that make a difference in our lives.  A few that we might not think about are uncles, home teachers, our bishop, stake president, neighbors, teachers, etc. are some great ones who have influenced us.  What about men in history who have made a difference in our lives. 

On the board, put several pictures of men in the scriptures.  Below are a list of some examples.  Have the children tell about each man and what they have done for us.  Then sing a song about fathers.  Choose songs that you may want to review.

Joseph Smith, Nephi, Helaman, Lehi, Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Noah, Adam, Isaiah, Pres. Monson

Father's Day Tie

This Sunday is Father's Day.  We will sign a tie for each member of the bishopric and give it to them after primary.

Draw and cut out a large tie from heavy paper - card stock or poster board.  Down the center write "We love you!"  Choose several songs to sing (review songs and/or Father's Day songs) during this activity.  Explain to the children that the bishopric do many things for us and spend a lot of time serving us.  To show our appreciation to them on this Father's Day, we will be signing these "ties" and give it to them as a thank-you.  The 3 and 4 year-olds could draw a smiley face in place of their name.  If your primary is large, choose a child from each class to write their class name on each "tie" - or 3 from each class to write their class name on one "tie" each.  After you sing a song or verse, invite a few children to come and sign the "ties."  Use colorful markers, crayons or pencils to sign names.  Always encourage the children to sing so they can come up and sign the tie.

Invite the bishopric to come to primary at the end and present them with their "tie."  You could also take the "ties" to the bishopric's office after primary and present them to each bishopric member.

Puzzling Singing Time

Puzzles are great for all ages!  Enlarge this picture to the size you would like (preferably a large enough size that the children can see).  Mine is poster board size and I put it on heavy paper.  I always suggest that you laminate for durability.  Carefully cut out the puzzle pieces.  I have put Mother's Day songs and some of the Sacrament Meeting Program songs on the back of each puzzle piece.  We will sing the song and put the puzzle piece up on the board.  There are 12 puzzle pieces.  If you don't have time for 12 songs, put a few songs on the backs then on the rest have the child tell how he can help his mother or ways he shows his love and appreciation for her.  You could also have the children tell ways to choose the right.

This picture is the cover of the May issue of The Friend.  It can be used for all sorts of singing times.  Family songs, Father's Day, serving, caring for others, etc.

Father's Day Tie

Cut out a large man's tie -- 2 to 3 feet long out of poster board or construction paper.  Any color will work.  Then cut out 1/2 inch stripes or "quarter" size polka dots.  The children will decorate "Father's Tie." 

• You can put titles of songs on the backs of the dots or stripes.  
• Teach a new song a phrase at a time and put up a few dots or stripes after they sing a phrase correctly.  

If you want to use this activity next week or next year, laminate the tie for durability.

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.