Take Time to Review

This is a 5th week and I try to use it as a review week.  Since January we have learned/reviewed 18 songs.  If you sing each of them, it will take up your entire singing time.  Look at the list and choose 9 songs that the children could use sing once or twice. 

• Cut out 9 stars (I use red, white and blue colors)
• Write on song title on each star
• Tape them to the board
• Choose a child to pick one
• Sing the song or ask if anyone can sing the first line - then sing the whole song with the children

*I make note if there are any songs that need more work for another singing time.

Review Songs

The three songs this month remind all of us of the importance of keeping commandments, treasuring our families and knowing who we are.

Use the following songs to answer the questions below:

• Keep the Commandments, p. 146
• Families Can Be Together Forever, p. 188
• I Am a Child of God, p. 2

On slips of paper write the following questions and place them in a bag or basket for the children to pick from.

• Who am I?  p. 2
• Each of us were born into a __________. p. 188
• What has Heavenly Father given us to help us return to Him?  p. 146
• What does keeping the commandments do for us?  p. 146  (safety)
• If we keep the commandments, what will happen with our families in heaven?  p. 188  (forever)
• What did Heavenly Father give us when we were born?  p. 2

Sing the song after the question is asked and have the children listen for the answer.

Feel free to add more questions.

You may want to review any songs that you have learned if time permits.

Match Up Review

Take time to review.  The best way to memorize is to repeat or practice it many times over time.  We only work with the children once a week so it's important to review songs, especially new ones, many times.

Using all the pictures and prompts from the songs that we've worked on this month, put them in a box or bag.

• Write the titles of the following songs across the board:
• Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
• Faith
• Jesus Has Risen
• Did You Think to Pray
• I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus
• Ask one or two children to each pull out a picture.
• Have them place them under the song that matches the picture or prompt
• If they belong to the same song, sing that song.  If they don't, choose two more children to pick two more pictures and follow the same procedure.

Hopefully, you will sing the songs more than once.

General Conference Review

Review the songs that you learned this month, especially the songs with more than one verse.  Incorporate preparation for General Conference by using the following activity:

Sing "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus."

• How can I be more like Jesus by listening/watching Conference?
• What can I do to be more like Jesus during Conference?

Sing "Did You Think to Pray."

• How does prayer help you prepare for Conference?
• How does prayer help those who speak or sing in conference?
• What can I pray for before I listen/watch Conference?

Sing "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus."

• What can I learn about Jesus when I listen to Conference?
• How can I help others learn about Jesus?
• How can I be more like Jesus?

Review

Musicians that perform regularly are constantly reviewing music that they have learned - even pieces that they have learned years ago.  Reviewing is critical!

So far this year (2019) we have learned 6 songs:
Come, Follow Me
A Child's Prayer
Jesus Once Was a Little Child
Baptism
I Will Follow God's Plan
He Sent His Son

This week's theme could be "We Love to Sing Our Primary Songs."
(You could continue this theme throughout this year for continuity.)

• Cut out 6 red hearts large enough to print the song titles on each
• Print each song title on each heart (one title per heart)
• Place each heart on the board with the title facing the children
• Sing each song
• Ask the children which is their favorite
• Take a vote for each song (let them vote for two of their favorites)
• Place the hearts on the board according to how many votes each receives.
• If time permits, sing them all again
• Ask a few children why their chosen song is their favorite.

If you are able, make note of several children's favorite song and mention it throughout the year.  Of course their favorites might change but children love to hear their names.  example:  "This is one of Susan's favorite songs" then sing the song.

"Stop" and "Go" Review

A good way to test the children's knowledge of a song is to play the  "Stop and Go" game.

• Make a "stop" sign (red)
• Make a "go" sign (green)

When you hold up the "Stop" sign the children stop singing but the piano keeps playing.  Hold up the "Go" sign and the children continue singing with where the piano is playing.  They mus sing in their minds to know what to sing when the "Go" sign goes up.

Give an example before you begin.

You could also make a "Hum" sign, "Boys," "Girls," "Teachers," etc. signs to add variety.  The children will enjoy this activity!

Review with Variety

As you review songs for the Sacrament Meeting Program, work at being able to sing all the songs at the same level of performance.  I especially find the 2nd or 3rd verses to be weak. 

Spend time singing the verses beyond the first verse.

• Stand and sing facing the back
• Everyone with birthdays on even numbers sing 
• Everyone with birthdays on odd numbers sing
• Everyone in the 1st, 3rd and 5th grade sing
• Everyone in K, 2nd, 4th and 6th sing
• Preschool and 6th sing.

Use this type of variety to sing verses/songs several times.

Families Can Be Together Forever

"Families Can Be Together Forever," p. 188 is the song for July.  This is also the theme for the month.  This song should be a part of all primary repertoire.  A fun way to review is as follows:

• Ask each class to take a turn singing a phrase. (Start with an older class so the younger classes can see the example.)  
• Ask the oldest class to stand and sing: "I have a family here on earth."
• Second class stands quickly and sings: "They are so good to me."
• Continue until you reach the chorus, then everyone sings the chorus together.
• Sing the second verse the same way.
• You could also rotate boys and girls singing each phrase and challenge them to keep continuity - no breaks or stops between phrases.

Time to Review

Reviewing songs is critical for the message, melody and words to stick in our minds - regardless of age.

Dot-to-Dot Review

• Cut out at least 10 circles the size of a dinner plate out of colored paper.
• Write a word or short phrase on the back of each circle from the songs you want to review.
• Use a magnet or tape to put all the circles on the board in random order
• Have a child choose a circle.
• Read the word or phrase.
• Ask the children what song the word or phrase comes from.
• Sing the song. (Note if there are parts that need a little more review.)
• Choose another circle and repeat process.

Because you will be singing the songs several times, make sure you take note if difficult parts become easier with practice.  You may want to work on these sections if time permits or next week.

When It's Fall Time

Enjoy singing some of the children's favorite songs.  Choose songs that your primary love to sing - many will come from the Sacrament Meeting Program this year.  Include p. 246 It's Autumntime, p. 247 Autumn Day and p. 241 Rain Is Falling (substitute leaves for rain).

I like to cut out leaf shapes in orange, yellow, red and brown.

• put the titles and/or page numbers on the back 
• tape the leaves to the board
• ask a child to to pick a leaf
• sing the song that is on the back
• continue until all the leaves are chosen

Weak Link

Did you make note of the songs that needed a little extra work before the upcoming program?  Determine which songs you would like to review - sometimes it's a verse that is weak.

Tell the children that sometimes we need to scrub the floor a little harder to get it clean or a stain on our clothes.  Our shoes may look okay but with a little cleaning and brushing we can make them shine.

Our songs for the program may be okay, but we want them to be spectacular.  It's our way of giving our best to Heavenly Father.  So . . . lets "shine" up our songs so we know that we are doing the best we can.

• Sing through the first song to be reviewed.  Ask the children what could be better - words, melody, etc.
• Sing it again and look for improvement.  Let the children help check for improvement.  
• Go over words, melody or a weak spot in the song.
• Sing it again.  Is it better?

Continue in this fashion.

Choosing Time - Review

Choosing time can be fun for the children and also help you know the songs they know and love. Often times the songs are the very songs that you have been working on for the up coming program. If your pianist is comfortable with playing any song the children choose, let the children have free rein on choosing. Otherwise, use a controlled choosing time.

I have several posts that have ideas for choosing times: back-to-school, fall,etc. The following is a generic choosing time that will work anytime you need.

• cut out 8 or more circles from colored paper. (You can use different shapes if you would like.)
• Write a song title on the back of the circles (I include the page number for ease of your accompanist)
• Tape the circles to the board or around the room 
• Choose a child to pick a circle and sing the song.
• Always make note of the songs that need a little more review so you can work on it another time.
• Try to keep this activity moving so you sing as many songs as possible.

How many ways do we try to be like Jesus? As you help the children prepare for the Primary Sacrament Meeting Program, review the songs that you have learned. As you sing each song, ask the children to find phrases or clues in the songs that remind us to be like Jesus.

End with "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" - both verses.
Reviewing the songs that you have learned will help the children remember them as well as polish them for the program. Memorizing the words is important. It helps internalize the meaning of the song. If the children know the songs well, they will sing them often throughout the week. They will come to love them and be able to call upon their meaning as they need.

Guess What Song

Choose a phrase from each song and write it on a piece of paper.  You can write a phrase from each verse if the song has two or more verses.

OR

Write a hint for each song on a piece of paper.  example: I love the beauty of these buildings.  (I Love to See the Temple)  He restored something special on earth.  (Praise to the Man)

• Put each phrase in an envelope.
• tape each envelope onto the board or put them in a basket
• Ask a child to pick one and read the hint.
• Let the children help guess the song.
• Sing the song.

Grading Program Songs

List all the titles of the songs that you will be singing for the Primary Sacrament Meeting Program.  List them on a poster board or large scroll of paper that the children can easily see.  Leave room to put a "grade" at the end.

Write the numbers 1 through 10 on 4" squares or circles (colored paper is great)

Sing each one of the songs.  As you finish singing each song, ask a few children to grade how well they sing the song - know the words, etc.
1- means the song needs a lot of work still
10 - means best ever (the children probably love to sing this song)
The numbers in between show varying degrees of proficiency

This activity helps you plan the next weeks on what songs need more work.  Ask the children to help figure out what needs work such as words, melody, one specific verse, etc.  Write these suggestions down so you can remember them. Each week you can focus on one or two songs that need extra rehearsing.

Teachers can be good critics, too.

*Bring this chart each week until your program and work on improving so that all songs are a solid 10.

Back-to-School Review

I try to come up with fun ways to review songs.  Many kids are back in school or will be soon.  Most are excited for new school clothes, back packs, binders, crayons, sharpened pencils, etc.  Take advantage of this enthusiasm as you review songs this week.

Gather 10 things that students might need for school and place them in a paper bag.  Examples are: binder, pencil, pen, crayons/colored pencils, glue stick, spiral notebook, scissors, ruler, pencil box, markers, highlighter, or anything else you can think of.  You will also need a back pack. (borrow one if you don't have one)

On a small piece of paper, write the titles of the songs you would like to review. Be sure to include an action/movement song ("Do as I'm Doing," etc.).  Tape each piece of paper to one of the items in the bag.

Tell the children that you need to pack your back pack for school.  They will help fill your back pack.  Choose one child to draw an item from the bag.  Sing the song taped to the item.  Have the child put the item in your back pack.  Repeat the process.  Try to sing as many songs as you can in your allotted time.

This activity will help you determine which songs need extra review.

Pioneer Review

The 24th of July is a day of celebration for all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We celebrate the ability to worship without persecution.  Today, there are "pioneers" around the world who have been instrumental in spreading the gospel.

Celebrate with the children by singing some of the pioneer songs as well as reviewing the songs we have learned this year up to this point.

Here are some ideas for this activity:

• Cut out several covered wagons or handcarts.  Print a song title on the back. Ask a child to put a wagon up and then sing the song.  Continue until you have sung all the songs and you have a line of wagons on the board representing the trek across the plains.
• Find several baseball sized rocks.  Print a song title on a paper and tape it to the rock.  Lay them hap-hazard on the ground or table. Tell the children that there were many rocks along the way.  Often times the children would move rocks to the side of the trail in a line to mark the path for pioneers who came after them.  Ask a child to move the a rock so it is in a line forming a path. Sing the song.  Continue until all the rocks create a path to follow and all the song have been sung.
• Have a list of songs that you want to sing/review.  After each song, ask 1 or 2 children to tell something about the early pioneers, such as: sacrifices, things they might have brought with them, what they might have done along the way (sing, played tag, helped push the handcarts, etc.)

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.

Month End Review

Reviewing songs solidifies the words and the music in little minds.  I like to review all songs that we have learned so far this year.  But, to add more interest and variety, I add a few action and/or favorites of the children.  Here is my list for February end of month review?

• I Will Follow God's Plan
• Did Jesus Really Live Again
• Hold to the Rod
• Search, Ponder and Pray
• Do as I'm Doing
• Fun to Do
• Families Can Be Together Forever
• I Am a Child of God

Substitute your favorites. 

 In keeping with the theme this month, draw a path on the board with earth at the beginning and Heaven at the end.  Make 8 stop signs (red paper with the word stop written on it) or how ever many songs you would like to sing.  Write the titles of the songs on the back of each stop sign.  Tape the stop signs along the path.  Choose a child to remove the first stop sign.  Ask him/her to tell one thing that will help us get back to our Heavenly Father, then sing the song.  The goal is to follow the path to Heaven.

*Remember to save your visual aids.  I laminate them so they will last through the 30 years I have used and reused them.  

"I Will Follow God's Plan"

Review "I Will Follow God's Plan"  using the following activity.

Put the pictures used last week on the board in the correct order.  You will need a ball of string or yarn that can go around the primary room or at least half of it. Hold the end of the string and ask a child to take the ball and walk around the room while you stand at the front and hold the end.  Let the string fall to the ground so it outlines the room.  Ask the child to return to you with the string once he has gone around the room.

Tell the children that Jesus has given us a path or plan to return to Him.  Explain to the children that this song helps us understand how Jesus helps us.  Sing the song.  Ask the children what ways or things did we sing about in this song that Jesus has given to us to help us return to Him.  (a plan, purpose, choice, seek His light, His word, His love, etc.)  

Choose a few children to hold onto the string and walk around the room while you sing the song.  Choose a few more and sing it again.  Ask the children why it is important to hold onto the string.  Sing the song again as a few more children walk around the room holding onto the string.