Blossom Tree

This is a great "Spring" choosing time.  Cut out several flowers - all different colors.  Draw a large tree on the board (you can cut one out of brown paper if you choose).  In a basket, place all the flowers with songs on the back.  On some of the flowers put a question mark.  Have children choose a blossom to put on the tree.  If it has a song on it, sing it.  If it has a question mark, ask them to tell what Heavenly Father blesses us with, particularly in the Spring.  You can also have some blossoms to give to reverent children to place on the tree.  Try to cover the tree with flowers by the end of singing time.

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.

Popcorn Popping!

Begin singing time with "Popcorn Popping,"  p. 242.  Prepare the board with a large branch from a tree - drawn on the board or tape one that is cut out of brown paper.  Make sure there are a few branches.  Cut out about 40 blossoms from pink, dark pink, purple and white colored paper.  The blossoms can be as simple as a 2 to 3 inch circles or elaborate with petals.  On the back of 5 to 7 blossoms write the names of songs that you would like to review.  If you would like, write "choose your favorite" on a couple blossoms.  Explain to the children that Spring is popping out everywhere.  Sprinkle the blossoms on the floor or put them in a basket.  Tell the children that you will choose 4 or 5 children to put a blossom on the tree branch after each song.  If they choose a blossom with a song on it, sing that song or the child's favorite.  If more songs are chosen from the 4 or 5 children, sing each song but continue to choose super singers after each song to help get all the blossoms on the branch by the end of singing time.  If time permits, sing "Popcorn Popping,"  p. 242 at the end.

Easter Week

Write the follow events on a paper then fold it and put it in a plastic Easter Egg.

• Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem
•  The Last Supper  (washing the apostles' feet)
• Jesus praying in Gethsemane
• Peter's denial
• The crucifixion
• Burial of Jesus
• Mary and the Resurrected Lord

Obtain the pictures of each of these events -- it is a good visual for the children.

Choose 7 songs that go along with the Easter theme or about Jesus.  Place the eggs in a basket.  Write the numbers 1 - 7 on the board.  Place the pictures on the floor or on the board in a scrambled order. Explain to the children that they will be putting the pictures in order of when each event happened the last week of Christ's life.  Choose a child from each class or pick names from a jar with all the children's names in it.  Let the child choose an egg and read what the event was.  Sing a song.  While you are singing have the children decide where that event (and picture) goes in order of when it happened.  Repeat until all the pictures are up in order.  Always share your testimony -- it will have great impact on the children as they remember their Primary experiences.

Easter and Spring Songs

In the March Friend, there is a beautiful Easter song,"He Came to Us."  You can use pictures of Christ during His last week on earth as well as the Resurrection.  These pictures will help the children understand the words to the song and the purpose of the crucifixion and resurrection.  If time permits, "Popcorn Popping" p. 242, is a perfect "active" song.