All Things Bright and Beautiful

There are several songs in the Primary Songbook that are about the creation.

"All Things Bright and Beautiful," p. 231, has some great lyrics about many things that God has created.  The chorus is at the beginning but can easily be sung at the end, also.

The verses can be easily illustrated by drawing the pictures on the board or finding pictures to go with each verse.  During the week call a few children and give them an assignment to bring a picture that will go with the various verses:

• one child could bring a picture of  flower
• another could bring a picture of a bird
• etc.

There could be could be 13 pictures to illustrate all 4 verses.  Some children will be quite happy to receive an assignment.  Be sure to talk with parents, too, and send a reminder on Saturday.  With e-mails, assignments like this can be simple.

Make sure that each phrase is repeated several times so the children learn the melody.

"I Have Two Ears"

Review "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," p. 324.

"I Have Two Ears," p. 269, is a good song to sing this month as we learn about God's creations.

Use pictures or word strips of the following to help teach this song:

• 2 ears
• "truth"
• 2 eyes
• "to see"
• 2 feet
• "carry me"
• 2 lips
• "speak kind words"
• 2 hands
• "to work
• "loving helpers"

I like to teach teach the chorus first so we can always end the song.  Sing the first phrase then ask the children to sing it with you a few times. Continue singing one phrase at a time with the children singing after you until they know the chorus.

Match the picture with the word as you sing the verses.  Sing a phrase then have the children sing it with you.

Save your visuals to use as you review this song in coming weeks.

Pictionary

Try a game of "Pictionary" to review "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," p.228.
Tell the children that we are going to play "Pictionary" for this song.  If they know the song, tell them to keep it a secret until all the hints have been given.

• Write the following word/phrases on small pieces of paper and put them in a hat, bowl or bag.
• bird singing/whistling
• blue sky or just sky
• rain
• wind
• a rose
• lilac tree
• world
• eyes
• butterfly
• ears
• mind
• heart
• Tell the children that who ever chooses a paper must draw a picture on the board to help us guess it.  (Do your best to have the children raise their hand and NOT shout it out.)
• After all the pictures have been drawn, put them in the order as you sing the song.
• Ask one class to sing one line then another class sing the next line, etc. until you have sung the entire song.

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.