Memory Game

I'm working on memorization of "If I Listen with My Heart."  One of my memory activities is to write the entire song on the chalk or white board.  We sing it through.  Then I erase a couple of words or a phrase or line and then sing it again.  Depending on the time, I erase two or more phrases at a time or just a few words.  We sing it all the way through after each time something is erased.  By the end of singing time the song will be totally erased and should be memorized.  I like to sing it for the closing song to "seal" it in their brains. 

"If I Listen With My Heart" variety in singing

In an earlier post I gave some suggestions on teaching "If I Listen With My Heart."  Here is an extended activity in learning this song.  I printed each verse out and pasted each verse on a separate piece of construction paper and the chorus is on a separate piece.  I put each verse up on the black board, including the chorus.  We sang through the song.  Then I asked the children how we could make it more dramatic or more listenable instead of just singing it through.  We eliminated going fast and slow -- but we could slow down (ritardando) at the end.  They came up with dynamics - loud and soft.  So we talked a little about where it would be good to sing soft and loud, where we could gradually get louder or softer and marked it next to the words.  As we sang it through with the dynamics, the children were excited to hear how wonderful it sounded. 

I made several cards with "f" for forte (loud), "p" for piano (soft), "ff," "pp," "mp," - mezzo piano (moderately soft), "mf," "crescendo" - gradually get louder, "diminuendo" - gradually get softer and "ritardando" gradually slow down.  I laminated them all because I use them a lot.  This also helps the children learn the correct musical terms.  We have fun using these especially when the children hold them up as we are singing a song.  We all have to be watching so we know how to sing.

New Year 2011

We all have a new program to work with this year.  Organization and planning will be the very best way to teach and learn the songs for 2011 "I Know the Scriptures Are True."  Begin by making a folder with a copy of all the songs that you will be teaching this year.  You can make copies from the Church music website.  Simply click on the link and type in the title of the hymn or primary song, then press "copy" on the lift side of the screen.  I make a copy or two for the accompanist, also, so she or he has the music all together.  I then make a page of all the words for the songs.  I use this to enlarge and make word charts for the children or phrase charts, etc.  I also make a copy for the teachers and give it to them just before we perform the program in the fall.  I don't like to give them the words before because I need their attention so the children will concentrate on me as well.  (Sometimes the teachers let the children have the words and then they never get the songs memorized.)  I then start memorizing the songs in January so I am ready to teach them.  I also start thinking of different ways to teach the songs.  I work with the presidency of the primary and choose the two songs of our choice so I know in January all the songs for the program. 

Each month, I will post several ideas for singing time.  Please feel free to ask questions or ask for help.

Christmas Presents

One of my favorite activities at this time of year is "Christmas Present Singing Time."  I select 8 to 10 songs (mostly Christmas songs).  I put the titles in a box and wrap it up.  I use boxes of all different sizes and a variety of wrapping paper.  I don't use ribbon because it takes too long to open.  There are several ways to pick the person to open the present.

• Before the children come into Primary, put a sticker under 8 chairs.  Make sure that the stickers are random throughout the room.  Who ever has a sticker on their chair gets to pick a present.
• Put names in a bag or box and draw a name out.
• Have a teacher choose a child to open the present.

I try to sing just one verse so there is plenty of time to sing all the songs.

Decorate the Christmas Tree

A tried and true activity is "Decorate the Tree."  Cut out a large Christmas tree -- green poster board works well.  (I like to laminate it so I can uses it year after year.)  Using colored paper, cut out different ornament shapes.  On the backs of the ornaments put the names of Christmas songs, don't forget to use the ones from the hymn book.  For variety, you can have several ornaments with the question, "What did/does Jesus give to me?"  Another set of ornaments could have the question, "What can I give to my family, friends, etc.?"  The children can choose ornaments and either answer the question or sing the song, whichever is on the back of the ornament.  They can put their ornament on the tree.

If you have a small Primary, you can stick an ornament under each chair and let each child have a turn decorating the Christmas tree.

When Joseph Went to Bethlehem

This is a great active song as well as telling the Christmas story.  Tell the children that we are going to act out this song as we sing.  They will need to stand.

• First verse - place tools on a shelf, shut the door, sweep the door step, tap the donkey, put the bread and cheese in a handkerchief, bring the corners together and hold it
• Second verse - bow your head in a shy manner, "chilly hours" wrap your arms around yourself as if you were cold, smooth the baby's blanket, hold the baby.
• Third verse - reach up and dim the light, hold the baby very close.  

The whole primary can act this out or you can choose one class or a few children to do the actions.  Have one side do one verse and the other side the second verse and everyone the third verse.  If you don't know this song you can sing a phrase or two while you act it out with the children several times.  It is also fun to have the pianist play it while the children act out the words without singing or simply humming.

Thanksgiving Turkey

Thanksgiving or giving thanks is a great concept to teach children.  I love to give the children many opportunities to express their thankfulness -- they come up with treasured ideas.  I made a simple turkey and 10 feathers (more or less).  Tape the turkey on a board.  Let the children either put the feathers on the turkey or take them off.  There are several things that you can put on the feathers:

1. titles of "thankful" songs
2. titles of favorite songs
3. phrases of a song that you are working on

Ask the children to tell one or two things that they are thankful for, then let them choose a feather.  Sing the song or phrase on the feather.

How to make a simple turkey:

Make one large circle for the turkey body.  Cut another small circle for the head.  You can put a waddle, eyes, mouth and feet if you would like.  Cut several feathers out.  I made the feathers out of several different colors.  It should look like this: