Who Am I - God's Plan

January's theme is "I Am a Child of God, and He Has a Plan for Me."  Review all 4 verses of "I Am a Child of God."  Review the 4th verse a few times if the children are still struggling with the words.  Ask the children how this song helps them know who they are.  Allow them to share their thoughts.  Sing it again.

Sing "I Will Follow God's Plan," p. 164.  Ask the children what "the plan" is and how they can attain it.  Sing it again.

"Choose the Right," Hymn #239, is also a good hymn to review.  If the children need a review, look up the post "Choose the Right."  There are some easy and effective ideas on how to teach this hymn.

Plan of Salvation

"I Will Follow God's Plan," p. 164, explains the Plan of Salvation so well  and simply.
Prepare for the following activity by:

• Read through the words 
• Come up with questions that are answered in the song. Examples:
• What is a gift? Who gave it to us (my life, Heavenly Father)
• What are 3 things our life has? (a plan, a purpose)
• What was our choice? (to come to earth)
• What are some things we can do to follow God's plan? (work, pray, walk in His way)
• Write the questions on pieces of paper, fold them and put them in a container for the children to choose from.

As you begin singing time, explain to the children that this songs answers many questions about the Plan of Salvation.  In the container are questions that must be answered by using the words from the song for answers.  Have one child choose a question.  Sing the song.  Ask the children what the answer is using a word or phrase from the song.  Continue until all questions have been asked.

I Am a Child of God, Variety

The outline for this year has some great ideas and suggestions. It is always up to you as to which song you choose to sing for the Primary Sacrament Program in the fall. The suggested song for this month's theme is "I Am a Child of God."  Most children know this song.  Here is an activity that will add variety to singing the song rather than just singing it through.

• On 8 cards or sheets of paper, number them 1 - 8  (Make two sets of cards)
• Give each class one card (If you don't have eight classes, use only cards for  the number of classes that you have or give a class or two one more cards)
• You keep a set of cards
• Explain to the children that when you hold up a number, only the class with that number sings. They will need to watch carefully to see when they sing.
• Hold up a number to begin the song. After each phrase, hold up a different number.
• The last phrase, "Teach me all that I must do to live with Him some day," have all the children sing. (You can hold up all the numbers or make a card that says "ALL.")
• It is fun to hold up 2 or more cards so more classes sing.
• Be sure to sing all the verses, including the 4th verse written below the song.

Seek meaning in singing songs

Excited for the New Year?!?!  This year's outline is a repeat of the 2013 program.  This is the first time a program/outline has been repeated.  That means that most of the children that are 7 to 11 have learned these songs.  What a great opportunity to review and teach in depth!

The songs suggested to support this month's theme (I Am a Child of God, and He Has a Plan for Me) are as follows:

• Week 1 
• I Am a Child of God, p. 2
• I Know My Father Lives, p. 5
• Week 2 and 3
• I Will Follow God's Plan, p. 164
• Week 4
• Choose the Right, Hymn # 239

Any one of these songs could be used in the Primary Sacrament Meeting this fall.  The more the children sing the songs, the more the songs and meaning become apart of them.

This week try singing all of them and determine which ones need more repetition.  Ask the children about the meaning of each song after they have sung it.  Ask questions that are answered in the song.  This will help you know what you need to explain as they sing for understanding.

I have posts on all of these songs.  If you need more ideas search the tags on the side of the blog for previous posts.

Make Room for Him

"Make Room for Him" is a beautiful song in this month's Friend, p. 30.  It tells of Christ's birth and how we can appreciate it today.  This would be a great week to teach it to the primary.

If you can use the sing-a-long video in primary, the children will enjoy seeing/hearing it and it brings in a variety to your singing time.  You can view it on children.lds.org then click on "Music."

Joy to the World

One of my favorite carols is "Joy to the World."  Teaching children  this carol is quite simple because of the repetition.

• Read the first phrase and tell them about how the angels must have sung with great joy and enthusiasm as they announced the birth of Jesus.
• Ask the children to sing like the angels must have sung.
• "Let earth receive their king!" What a great gift that was then and now.
• Again, sing like the angels must have sung.
• The next phrase talks about letting Christ into our lives/hearts
• Sing like the angels must have sung.
• Begin singing the next line soft.  
• As you repeat this line get louder until the last line you are singing quite loud with enthusiasm.

Teach the next verses in a similar fashion - explaining the meaning of each phrase and singing as the angels would have sung.

Silent Night

Children aren't learning Christmas carols in school as much nowadays.  The definition of a carol is a song that talks about anything that has to do with the birth of Christ - the kings, shepherds, animals, star, Mary, Joseph, angels, manger, etc.

Try teaching them "Silent Night" hymn # 204.  Some children will know it and enjoy singing it.  This lends itself to pictures of the manger scene.  Explain the words and phrases such as:

• all is bright and calm around Mary and Jesus
• sleep quietly

Often times children may have heard the song many times but because we don't always enunciate well or the words may be "old fashioned," they do't know what they are saying, but rather mimic what they think they have heard.

Take time to pronounce the words correctly and explain their meaning.