Mother's Day Flowers

Mother's day is coming up and with several songs about mother's in the Primary Songbook, it's time to brush them up.  Whether you are singing in Sacrament Meeting, a mini program in Primary or singing these songs for fun,  Moms all over will love to hear their little ones sing to them.

Using the patterns below, cut several flowers out of various colors of paper. (You can color them if you prefer.)  On the back put the page numbers or titles of the Mother's Day songs that you know.  Leave several flowers blank.  Have a child "pick" a flower.  If there is a song title on it, sing it.  If it is blank, ask the child to tell one thing they love about their mom.  If you can have someone write the comments down with the name of the child and give it to their mom.

Reviewing "The Church of Jesus Christ," p. 77

Reviewing "The Church of Jesus Christ," p. 77, can be easy by simply asking questions that can be answered in the song.

• What church do you belong to?  sing the answer
• What 3 things do you know and do?  I know who I am. I know God's plan. I'll follow him in faith.
• Who do you believe in?
• What will you honor?
• What are 2 more things that you will do?
• What will you proclaim?

Sing the song all the way through, then begin asking the questions. If you ask each question in order, you will sing the entire song.  If you ask the questions in a scrambled order, the children will have to think a little. You know that they know the song when they can answer the questions out of order.  

"The Church of Jesus Christ"

I love how there are "helps" in the "Primary Outline for sharing Time."  The song for this month is "The Church of Jesus Christ," p. 77.  On page 9 of the outline, is a great suggestion for learning this song.  Also, the "Tip" at the bottom of the page is priceless by Boyd K. Packer.  As I work with 16 through 18 year-olds, I am amazed and thrilled at how quickly they come up with a song from primary that goes along with what we are talking about.  Music is powerful!  Help the children feel that power!

Follow the Prophet - Words and Pictures

The Friend magazine is a great resource for teachers and music directors.  Follow the Prophet was one of the program songs in 2010 and The Friend was a great help.  Check out the ideas on page 24 and 25.  Also, a verse about Pres. Monson is a perfect ending verse.  Children will like singing about our living prophet - especially with General Conference coming up!  The last verse in the Primary Songbook is fun to sing as well.

Follow the Prophet - Daniel

Follow the Prophet - verse 6 - Daniel

If you know the first word or two of each line, this is an easy verse.  Here are some ideas:

Daniel was a prophet. He refused to sin;   draw a red circle, print "SIN" in black letters, draw a red line diagonally through the word meaning: don't sin

So the king threw Daniel in the lion's den.   draw or cut out a crown

Angels calmed the lions, and the king soon saw    use a picture of a lion lying down or the picture of Daniel in the lions den from the library

Daniel's pow'r was great, for he obeyed God's law.  use a picture of healthy food or the word "obey"

Make sure that you tell the story or have the children help tell the story so the younger children understand what the law was that Daniel obeyed - word or wisdom, and how he was blessed because he obeyed.

Review verses that you have learned each week.

Jonah - "Follow the Prophet"

We all know the story of Jonah and the whale.  However, this verse is the most difficult for me because I have a tough time remembering what comes next in each line.  I like to have an simple action that will help the children remember a phrase.  However, words and/or pictures help as you teach them, especially to non-readers.  After they have sung the verse several times, try singing the verse without prompts - words or pictures, with just a few simple actions. 

As a teacher, you must know the verse or song very well.  This will be the biggest help to the children.  Here are two examples to use in teaching this verse:
 
Example 1:
Jonah was a prophet, tried to run away, 
(use "tried to run away" as a word prompt or footprints for non-readers, or look like you are running)

But he later learned to listen and obey
(word prompt - but he later or a picture of an ear or put your hand to your ear as if listening)

When we really try, the Lord won't let us fail:
(word prompt - when we really try or picture of Jonah on the beach and the whale swimming off or use an action of winning a game or good job)

That's what Jonah learned deep down inside the whale.
(word prompt - that's what Jonah learned or point to your brain then point down as if pointing down into the sea)

Example 2:
You can write the verse on the board and erase  2 or 3 words each time you sing it until all the words are erased.

"Follow the Prophet" Contest

After you teach the 6th verse (Samuel) of  Follow the Prophet,  follow up with this activity. 

Ask the children if they remember who said, "Here I am."  Then ask who was his mother.  If they can't remember, have them sing verse 6.  Repeat the questions and they will be able to answer.  Sing it one more time.

Now divide the room in half and have one side sing the first verse - Adam.  Have the other side sing the 6th verse - Samuel.  Which side was better?  Chances are that the first side was better because they knew the first verse better.  Switch sides and sing the verses again.  Did the "Samuel" side sound any better?  When the children realize that it's a "contest," they seem to try a little harder.

Sing the 6th verse two more times with all the children.  Now try the "contest" again.  Change sides so both sides have the same opportunity.  End by singing the chorus all together.