Patriotism

Every year I try to sing about patriotism.  In the Children's Songbook, p. 224, is a great song for any nationality.  I have picture prompts of a desert, mountains with pine trees, snowy landscape or an iceberg, and a heart for the first verse.  The second verse, I have a picture of a crown, a heart with the word "country" in the middle and the words "honest and free."   This is easy to teach with the picture helps.  If time and space permit, obtain your country's flag and have the children march around the room (or outside) singing this song several times.

Reviewing Songs

It's review time!  During the summer I like to review songs.  Children are in and out of town on vacation so reviewing works well to help keep the songs in the minds of the children and teachers, too.

Divide the children in half -- one side of the room and the other side, boys and girls, etc.  Make sure that there is a variety of ages on each side.  Have one side sing a phrase then have the other side sing the next phrase.  Continue through the song.  Have the teachers sing one verse then the children.  It's best if the children sing an entire phrase or more so they review songs with continuity.  Singing soft and loud is also a great variation in reviewing songs.

Father's Day Tie

This Sunday is Father's Day.  We will sign a tie for each member of the bishopric and give it to them after primary.

Draw and cut out a large tie from heavy paper - card stock or poster board.  Down the center write "We love you!"  Choose several songs to sing (review songs and/or Father's Day songs) during this activity.  Explain to the children that the bishopric do many things for us and spend a lot of time serving us.  To show our appreciation to them on this Father's Day, we will be signing these "ties" and give it to them as a thank-you.  The 3 and 4 year-olds could draw a smiley face in place of their name.  If your primary is large, choose a child from each class to write their class name on each "tie" - or 3 from each class to write their class name on one "tie" each.  After you sing a song or verse, invite a few children to come and sign the "ties."  Use colorful markers, crayons or pencils to sign names.  Always encourage the children to sing so they can come up and sign the tie.

Invite the bishopric to come to primary at the end and present them with their "tie."  You could also take the "ties" to the bishopric's office after primary and present them to each bishopric member.

As we draw closer to "Father's Day" I thought it would be fun to use Dad's toolbox.  You can use pictures or cutouts of tools or the real thing.  This is a great review activity.  You will need several tools: hammer, screw driver, wrench, large nail, a large nut and bolt, saw, tape measure, level, paint brush, sand paper.  You could use pictures of them if you prefer.  Tape a song you would like to review on each tool.  Tell the children that we are going to help Dad put his tools away in his tool box (or a large box).  Choose a child to pick one tool, then sing the song taped to that tool.  Use "Father's Day" songs, too.

"Nephi's Courage"

In The Friend magazine, February issue, the inside back page has a Book of Mormon scripture cutout of Nephi and Laman and Lemuel.  In the April issue there is a cutout of Zeezrom.  I am using him as Laban because he has a frown.  If you want them bigger, enlarge them.  Color an outline of a book brass color to look like the brass plates.  Use these pictures to teach the first verse of "Nephi's Courage."

The second verse, use the picture in the Children's Songbook on page 120 - Nephi building a boat.  Use the cutouts of Laman and Lemuel from the first verse.  Ask two children to be Laman and Lemuel laughing and pointing.  Put all pictures and children in order and sing the second verse.

Draw a picture of the 10 commandment tablets.(1st phrase)  Make a picture of the CTR shield. (2nd phrase)  Draw a frowny face.(3rd phrase)   Write the word "reply" on a word strip. (4th phrase)  Sing the third verse.

Chorus: Write "GO" and "DO" on two word strips or signs.  I attached the words to a stick so the children can hold them when we sing the words.  Sing the chorus for the children then have them sing it with you.

This activity can be divided into 4 weeks or less if time permits.  Once the children know this song, it will be a favorite!

"Fathers" - Another Activity

I have shared a post about "Fathers" p. 209, last year.  You can look that one up from the labels.  Here is a different activity as we review it for Father's Day.

If possible, obtain a picture of a one of the children's father, one of the bishop and on Christ -- preferably large enough for the children to see.  On strips of paper, print a word or phrase from each verse.  I am using yellow paper for the strips.  Place the picture of a father on the board.  Place the word/phrase strips streaming from the picture around it (like sunbeams).  Sing the verse.  Do the same for each verse.  Cut out a large red heart.  Around it place words or phrases from the chorus around the heart -- like sunbeams.  Sing the chorus.  If time permits, gradually take off the word strips and sing the song with only the picture of the fathers and heart.

Primary Color Choir

A fun way to review songs is creating a "Primary Color Choir!"  Ask everyone who is wearing red to stand up. (You can determine if shades of a color are allowed.)  Have these children come to the front and sing a song, with their best voices.  (I use a song from this year's Program.)  Once they finish the song have them take their seats.  Ask everyone who is wearing blue to stand and repeat the process, however have them sing a different song.  After they are seated, ask those wearing yellow to come up and sing a different song.  There may be some children wearing all of the colors so they will be singing in all the choirs.  You can continue this activity using different colors as time permits.  This is a great activity because it mixes the children up.  Be sure to remind those listening to the choir to be polite and listen reverently.