Word Hints

As I have been working with the children to memorize the Sacrament Meeting Songs, I find that there are a few words that they are singing incorrectly.  I put each word on a small circle (6 to 8 inches wide - I like a circle shape) then taped it to a popsicle stick.  I hold it up just before we sing the song and it's just enough to remind them to sing the correct word.

Focus

Practicing for the "big" performance can be tedious.  I like to use signs like "P" for piano or soft and "F" for forte or loud.  I also use a "Hum" sign as well as a "boys" and "girls" sign.  This helps keep the children focused on me.  They quite enjoy the changes.

5 Star Singing

Reviewing songs prior to a preformance is critical.  However, the process has to have some "pizazz!"  Cut out several stars in varying colors or all one color.  Make them at least 3" in diameter.  Write out each song title on the board or make large word strips of each title (so you can use them again).  They can be listed in any order.  Sing each song and then ask by show of hands (this can be totally silent) how many stars the singing was worth.  Example:

• Do we know this song well enough for 1 star?
• 2 stars?
• 3 stars?
• 4 stars?
• 5 stars?  This would mean that they all know the words memorized and sing it the "best."

Place the number of stars next to the title.  This visual will help the children see which songs need extra work.  In two weeks try this again to see improvement.  Make sure you write down how many stars each song received the first time you did this activity.

Charade Review

Reviewing songs is difficult because children, and sometimes teachers, don't see the point in it.  Games and activities will certainly take the "boring" out of reviewing. 

Put the title and first line of the songs to review on strips of paper.  Place the strips in a basket or container.  Explain to the children that they are going to act out the title or some part of the song.  The rest of the children will raise their hands and guess what song it is.  Then we will sing the song.  Choose one or two children to come up to the front of the room.  Have them pick a paper out of the basket.  Whisper the title and/or the first line of the song to those who cannot read yet.  Have them go out in the hall for 30 seconds (I time them) to discuss what they will do to get the rest of the children to guess the correct song.  If they have trouble guessing, you can give them hints.  Be sure to watch your time so you sing more than "act out" songs.

Sunshine review

Review time for the Sacrament meeting program can be a challenge -- keeping the children's attention, keeping singing time fresh and actually improving the songs.  With August being a warm, sunny month, try this activity:

• Cut out a large, bright yellow circle for a sun - no smaller than an 8 1/2" in diameter.
• Cut out at least 12 sun rays.  They can be strips of paper or triangles.  I like to use various colors of yellow and orange.

Place the sun in the middle of the chalk board.  Add a ray every time a song or verse is sung well, memorized or any other improvement.  The goal is to get as many rays around the sun as possible.

"Building" a Temple

This is the time that I review songs again and again so that the children are ready for the "Sacrament Program."  I am using the Salt Lake Temple line drawing and enlarging it so I can cut it out in sections and "build" the temple.  Depending on how many songs I am reviewing will depend on how many pieces I will need to make of the temple.  Most primaries will be singing 7 songs, so you will need seven pieces of the temple.  You could cut the temple up into puzzle-like pieces or cut 7 strips and start with the bottom strip and "build" up.  Each time the children sing a song 3 times or perfectly, you can add a strip to the temple.  If you are doing a puzzle, you can put the name of each song on the back of a puzzle piece.  As the children choose a puzzle piece, they will sing that song.  By the end of singing time the whole temple should be "built" or put together.  Watch your time so the picture can be completed.

Click here for temple clip art or search for the temple of your choice.

Covered Wagon Puzzle

The 24th of July is a big event in Church history -- especially in Utah!  For choosing time this week, I am helping the children put together a covered wagon.  The pieces I will use are the rectangle wooden box (the wagon, use brown paper), the cover (use white paper), two wheels - brown, 2 wheel rims -- black, the wagon tongue -- brown and the wagon seat -- brown.  That equals 8 pieces.  If using it for choosing time, 8 different songs could be on the backs of each piece.  If using it to teach a new song, 8 phrases could be sung, putting up a piece after the phrase is sung 3 times.  Activities like this help keep the children focused and anxious for the end results.  Watch the time so you can always finish the putting the wagon together.