Twelve Apostle Matching

Obtain pictures of the Quorum of the Twelve.  (There is a link for these pictures two posts ago.)  Make sure their names are NOT on the picture.  Print the name of each apostle on a strip of paper or you can write them on the board.  Tape the pictures in random order on the board.  The children's job is to match the name to the apostle.  You can also add the first Presidency which will equal 15.  Choose 5 songs to sing and after each song let 3 children try to match 3 names - teachers may help.  Sing another song and do the same.  Make sure you watch the time and keep the activity moving so you can complete the matching by the end of singing time.  Challenge the children to tally how many times President Monson speaks this General Conference and tell one thing that he tells us.  Plan time in primary to share their findings in the coming weeks.

The "Acronym" Game

Write "THOMAS S. MONSON" in a column down the left side of the board.  There are 13 letters.  The goal is to write a word that begins with each letter that has to do with Conference.  After the children sing a song or verse, choose a child or class to think of a word that begins with the letter in Pres. Monson's name that goes along with General Conference.  Here are a few examples:
Testify
Honor or honesty or Heavenly Father
Obey or obedience
Missionaries
Atonement, ancestors
Service

If time permits, sing 13 songs or verses.  You could also ask two children or classes to think of a word after each song or verse sung. 

Choose the Right with the General Authorities

Obtain a picture of the current twelve apostles and the first Presidency.  This equals 15 pictures.  The meeting house library has them or you can click here and down load them from the Church website.  They need to be large enough so the children can see them.  In the hymn, "Choose the Right" we sing "right" 6 times.  Every time the children sing "right" put up a picture of a general authority.  You may want to put a number on the board and place the men in order -- just as they are on the website.  You can also see the order in the March Friend on page 40.  Note: You will need to sing the hymn 3 times in order to get all 15 pictures on the board. 

When the children see pictures of the General Authorities and hear their names, it will help them listen for them as they listen to General Conference.

* Remember to save all your visual aids and keep them organized so you can use them again.

This is a great month to get ready for General Conference.  The March issue of The Friend, page 26, has a great picture page.  I downloaded the page from the Church website.  I enlarged each square to about a 6 inch square, then cut each one out and laminated each square.  This week I will place them on the sides or the board.  As we sing our songs (I'm using the songs from the 2012 Sacrament Meeting Program), I'll ask one or two children to find a picture that we sang about or has the word in the song.  We will then try to make a large square of pictures.

I will be using these pictures for the rest of the month to help the children listen for these words.  By April 1, 2012, they will be ready to listen to Conference and find these words as they listen to each speaker and songs that are sung.  Each week this month I will post a new activity.

Singing with Children with Disabilities

The February Ensign 2012 has a great article on working with children who have disabilities and other challenges.  Our primary has had opportunities to serve these precious children.  Using pictures and having them help hold them has encouraged their participation.  Also, having them help put up various things on the board depending on the activity has helped them feel apart of primary.

One thing that I have found is that too much noise -- whether it be singing, laughing or talking, can be a source of anxiousness in children with learning challenges.  Always encourage children to sing reverently.  Shouting is NOT singing, nor is screaming.

 I cut 8 inch circles from brightly colored card stock.  I printed the dynamic symbols below on 5 circles. (I did a quick search for these symbols on the internet.)  Then, tape a tongue depressor stick or paint stick on the back of each circle to use as a handle.  I explained each symbol's meaning.  The children enjoy watching carefully so they can sing the proper dynamic level.  The children will enjoy taking a turn holding them up, also.

Teacher, We Love You!

February is a great month to show our love and appreciation to others,  Here is an idea to show appreciation for our teachers.  Cut out about 20 or more hearts the size of a hand using red and pink paper.  Print the words in large print: "We Love You!"  Choose several songs to sing that the children love to sing.  (They will sing them well if they know them.)  After the children sing each song, have several children put a heart on the board in the shape of a large heart. When the heart is complete, put up the words "We Love You" and ask the children to say it to the teachers.

Choose the Right Ideas

"Choose the Right" is the hymn for this month.  I teach the sign language to the hymns each year.  If you are interested, you can follow this link to watch the sign language.  Even if you do just a few signs it will be a help to the children as they learn the hymn.

Another option is to teach the chorus this week. Cut out the following:

•  3 hearts (red or pink) 
• a white heart with an arrow pointing up (you could make the arrow red)
• a yellow circle for the sun (light)
• a circle with a happy face drawn on it 

Write the words to the chorus on the board.  Every time it says "Choose the right" put a heart up instead.  The white heart is in place of the words "mark the way before."  In place of "In the light," place the sun there and the happy face in place of the words, "bless you evermore."  Explain to the children what the symbols stand for then sing the chorus.  Sing it enough times that you can erase the words and just sing it with the symbols.  Make sure you review last month's song, "As a Child of God."