SINGO: Bingo for Primary

This is a great game for anything -- especially review. Here are two different cards (poster board size). Because I don't like to promote competition in Primary, I use only one card and we all work together to get a "Singo!" I have just the numbers on the card on small pieces of paper which the children take turns drawing. We then cover the number with a big circle cut and laminated. If you use both cards, you need all the numbers from both cards and two different colors of circles to cover the numbers -- blue for one card and red for the other card. We have to sing a song or verse of a song before we draw a number. If they remember all the words they can draw two numbers. This game can take up to 30 minutes to play. It is perfect if you can use all of sharing time. It can go faster if you draw more numbers at a time.

I simply used a ruler to draw the lines then I drew the letters and numbers. You can decorate with die cuts or large stickers. I laminated both posters, 50 circles - 25 of each color, and the small numbers that the children draw from a hat, basket or sack. My boards have lasted for over 20 years! It is well worth the time and money.

You can also use this game to teach a new song. Sing a phrase 3 times then choose 3 numbers.
Sing the next phrase and draw 3 more numbers. If the children know all the Articles of Faith songs, you can draw one number every time they sing an Article of Faith. There are 13 of them and it's fun to see if they can get a "Singo" in 13 draws.

Review Trek

In commemoration of the Pioneers, we are doing a "review" trek. I cut out several mountain shapes out of 12" by 15" construction paper - gray, brown, green and purple ("for purple mountain majesties"). I also cut out a few rocks and logs. I am not an artist so I often times have to tell the children what my pictures/cutouts are. They are very forgiving. I tape them along a chalkboard or wall so the children can see it creating a path to travel. Make of find a covered wagon that can travel this paper path. (You could also draw the path, mountains, rocks and logs on the board.) I make several signs that the wagon needs to stop and read. You can start in Nauvoo and end in Salt Lake or use any starting and stopping place that works for your location. Depending on the amount of time you have depends on how many signs/songs you can sing. Here are some suggestions for the signs along the way.

• Crossed the river (Missouri river) and need to stop and dry the clothes. Let's sing a song while we wait. (Choose a song from the 2010 Sacrament Meeting Program)
• We traveled extra miles today and are very tired. Let's sing one song before we go to sleep.
• What a beautiful sunrise! Let's praise the Lord with singing.
• Indians are all around tonight. Let's sing to calm our spirits and sooth the Indians.
• We seem to have extra energy tonight. Let's sing "Fun to Do" and make up three verses that we can act out. (Feeding the oxen is fun to do, Finding firewood is fun to do, Clapping our hands is fun to do -- these are just suggestions.)
• We have reached the top of the mountains and we are very tired. Let's sing a song to lift our spirits.
• We can see the valley! We are so excited to almost be there! Let's sing!
• We are very thankful to have arrived safely. Let's sing a song to show our thanks.

These are just suggestions to move the wagon along and enjoy reviewing the program songs.

Reviewing Revisited

One of the challenges of preparing for a program is maintaining previously learned music. There are 6 songs in the 2010 Primary Sacrament Meeting Program plus 2 of your choice. As soon as we learn one song, I use it as an opening or closing song. As we learn more, I rotate them in opening and closing songs. This keeps them fresh in the children's minds.

Once all the songs are learned there are several activities that you can use to review them.

• Name That Tune: Have the pianist play 3 notes and allow only child who raises their had to guess. Sing the song.
  
• Listen to Lyrics: (You may have to define the word "lyric") Say the first word of the song or verse. Continue adding a word until the children guess the song. Sing the song or verse.
• Have one side of the room sing the first phrase and the other half finish the phrase. (You can do boys and girls or teachers and children.) Sing the whole song.
  
• Matching: Find a picture that goes with each song. Write the title of each song on the board or prepare word strips with the title. Have the children match the title to the picture. Sing the song.

Always to remember to help the children understand reverence -- having fun doesn't have to be noisy and rowdy.

The Holy Ghost 2nd Verse

2nd verse of "The Holy Ghost"

1st line: Use a picture or two of a boy and girl receiving the Holy Ghost. Explain that all the men hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. They have the authority from God to give the gift of the Holy Ghost. Sing the first line and have the children repeat it 3 times.

2nd line: You may use a clock so just explain that the Holy Ghost is given to us to guide us always-- as long as we are faithful and listen to Him with our minds and hearts. Sing the second line and have the children repeat it 3 times.

3rd line: Point or use a picture of an ear and sing the third line. Explain that the Holy Ghost tells us things quietly through thoughts and feelings. Have the children repeat it 3 times.

4th line: If you need a picture use a light bulb or show the rhyme "light" and "right." Tell the children that if they are ever puzzled about something or a decision, they can pray for guidance and the Holy Ghost will prompt them as to what to do and help them understand. Sing the last line and have the children repeat it 3 times.

Sing the entire second verse. Then, sing both verses together. Always listen to see where the children are having trouble, whether it is with the melody or words. You can stop in the middle of the song and correct the problem or talk about it when they finish. Always try to have the children go home with the correct words in their head. The only comes from LOTS of repetition.

The Holy Ghost

"The Holy Ghost" p. 105, helps children understand who the Holy Ghost is and what he does.
Begin by asking who the Holy Ghost is. Accept 3 answers then move on.
Ask what he does. Accept 3 answers then move on.

Sing the first 2 lines. Christ told his disciples that He would not always be on the earth with them, but he would not leave them alone. He would send the Holy Ghost to be with them and comfort them.
Sing the first 2 lines again. Have children sing them with you, then ask:

• What did Christ promise? Sing the 2 lines with the children.
  
• What will the Holy Ghost do? Sing the 2 lines with the children.
• What will the Holy Ghost be to us? Sing the 2 lines with the children.

Sing the last 2 lines, then ask:

• How does the Holy Ghost talk to us? Sing the last 2 lines again. Have children sing them with you
• What does "testify" mean? Sing the last 2 lines with the children.
• The Holy Ghost helps us to be happy and makes our hearts ____________. Sing the last 2 lines with the children.

Sing the whole first verse twice.
Have the boys sing the first two lines then the girls sing the last two lines. Then switch.
Have half the room sing the first two lines. The other half sings the last two lines.
Have the teachers sing the first two lines. The children sing the last two lines.

This should take about 15 to 20 minutes and the best part is that the children will know the song! The key to learning a song is repetition.

Father's Day

Father's Day is 6 weeks away. You can start teaching several Father's Day songs and they will be awesome by June 20.
"Fathers" p. 209 This is a long song so I like to teach it early so we can review it for several weeks.

Idea 1:
Use a picture of a father -- from your library or dad's in the ward.
If possible, obtain a picture of your Bishop.
Picture of Heavenly Father (I like the one in the Sacred Grove)

• Tell the children that this song is about 3 fathers. Show the pictures (in order of the song) and either tell them or let them tell you who they are.
• On a bulletin board or blackboard Put the picture of the father up with a picture of a home and family -- sing the first phrase, then have the children sing it.
• Add the word strips under the pictures: "light," "right" and "good to me." Sing the second phrase, then have the children sing it.
• Sing the 1st verse (no chorus yet) at least 3 more times pointing to the pictures on the board.

2nd verse:

• Put the picture of the bishop on the board and explain that he is the father of our ward and like a shepherd, he tends us with loving care. Make a heart with "loving care" written on it and add that to the board. Sing the first phrase, then have the children sing it.
• Use a picture of a man in a suit (the bishop) helping a child, family or elderly person. (There are several of these types of pictures in your ward library.) Sing the last phrase, then have the children sing it.
• Sing the 2nd verse (no chorus yet) at least 3 more times pointing to the pictures on the board.
• Review the 1st verse.

3rd verse

• Put the picture of Heavenly Father up on the bottom of the board so the rest of the "helps" can go above. Tell the children that He is the father of us all.
• This verse begins with (sing it) "And now we'll sing great praise and rev'rently recall." Word strips, "sing great praise" and "reverently recall" will help. Place them above the picture. Have the children sing this phrase.
• Sing the last phrase, pointing to Heavenly Father then Christ as you sing. Have the children sing this phrase, then sing the 3rd verse at least 3 times.

I teach this all one week and the chorus the next week.

Chorus:

• I sing the first phrase and have the children sing it 3 times.
• The watch us and protect us -- sing the phrase and have the children sing it 3 times.
• Sing both phrases together.
• They guide and direct us back home (heaven). Sing the phrase and have the children sing it 3 times.
• Sing the whole chorus 3 times and then add the verses.

I don't use any visuals for the chorus.

Mother's Day Tell Me a Story, Duet

Mother, Tell Me a Story

This is a great "stand alone" or adult and children duet. I like to have the children sing by themselves then teachers or a few mothers (alto).

1st phrase: close your hands and open like a book, then point to your ear.

2nd phrase: point up to heaven then point down to earth.

3rd phrase: cross your arms across yourself as to give a hug, then point to your mouth. Most children miss the word "how." Make a word strip with "HOW" on it and hold it up as you finish the 2nd phrase to help remind them.

4th phrase: put your hands together next to your cheek and lean that way as if you were sleeping.

The children like these simple actions. If your use the adult duet part, make sure you practice with the children so they know what it sounds like and what to expect.