Wheels a'turning

In honor of our pioneers, we are making a wagon wheel.  Using a large piece of black paper, cut a large circle, then cut the middle out leaving a large ring about 1 inch thick.  Cut a small circle for the middle of the wheel.  Now cut spokes for the wheel out of brown paper.  (If you would prefer use brightly colored paper for the wheel and spokes -  the children will love the colors!)  Depending on the time, put a phrase from several songs on the back of each spoke.  Have the children guess the song and then sing it.  See how many spokes you can put in the wheel.

Stars in the Sky

July is a great time to reflect on our pioneer heritage.  This activity is perfect for reviewing program songs or pioneer songs.

Use a large picture of a covered wagon or handcart (clipart or a picture from the library).  Place the picture in the middle of the board.  Cut out several stars (your choice of colors).  I have a bag of 50 or more stars that I have saved.  Tell the children that the pioneers slept under the stars each night.  Our goal is to put as many stars in the sky as possible.  Each time you sing a song or verse, ask a few children to choose a star and put it up on the board.  Choose the songs that need reviewing.  If the song needs to be repeated allow more stars on the board.

Activities such as this one keeps the children focused during singing time and as they sing songs more than once.

Whenever I Think about Pioneers

Regardless of where you live, July 24 is an important date to all of us.  It is important enough to sing about!  "Whenever I Think about Pioneers"  p. 222, is a great song to sing this month.  I teach all 4 verses to the children and then we work on the duet - verses 3 and 4 (which are almost the same but different melody). 
1st verse: use a picture of pioneers and talk about the children that came, too.  Sing the verse then have the children sing it a few times.
2nd verse: I use 1 or 2 words from each line - play games, fun, slept and measured.  I tell them about what "measured journey" means.  the pioneers measured the circumference of a wagon wheel and a counter was placed on the wheel to count the rotations and that's how they measured their journey.  Sing the verse. be sure to tell the children that it is a different melody.  Have the pianist play it through while you sing it.
3rd and 4th verses: you could write the two verses side by side on a poster or chalk board and then look at the differences.  Sing them both to see how they fit with the music.  Then try singing them as a duet. 

This may take two weeks to complete.

Patriotism

Every year I try to sing about patriotism.  In the Children's Songbook, p. 224, is a great song for any nationality.  I have picture prompts of a desert, mountains with pine trees, snowy landscape or an iceberg, and a heart for the first verse.  The second verse, I have a picture of a crown, a heart with the word "country" in the middle and the words "honest and free."   This is easy to teach with the picture helps.  If time and space permit, obtain your country's flag and have the children march around the room (or outside) singing this song several times.

Reviewing Songs

It's review time!  During the summer I like to review songs.  Children are in and out of town on vacation so reviewing works well to help keep the songs in the minds of the children and teachers, too.

Divide the children in half -- one side of the room and the other side, boys and girls, etc.  Make sure that there is a variety of ages on each side.  Have one side sing a phrase then have the other side sing the next phrase.  Continue through the song.  Have the teachers sing one verse then the children.  It's best if the children sing an entire phrase or more so they review songs with continuity.  Singing soft and loud is also a great variation in reviewing songs.

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.

As we draw closer to "Father's Day" I thought it would be fun to use Dad's toolbox.  You can use pictures or cutouts of tools or the real thing.  This is a great review activity.  You will need several tools: hammer, screw driver, wrench, large nail, a large nut and bolt, saw, tape measure, level, paint brush, sand paper.  You could use pictures of them if you prefer.  Tape a song you would like to review on each tool.  Tell the children that we are going to help Dad put his tools away in his tool box (or a large box).  Choose a child to pick one tool, then sing the song taped to that tool.  Use "Father's Day" songs, too.