My Flag, My Flag

Any nationality can enjoy singing "My Flag," p. 225.  The United States celebrates its independence soon.  This is a great song to learn and it's quite easy.

Begin by singing it through for the children to hear.

• Sing the first 2 1/2 lines
• Ask the children how many times you sang "my flag?"  (6)
• Ask them to sing it with you, then ask what the two rhyming words are.  (wave and brave)
• Sing the 2 lines again
• Sing the last 2 1/2 lines
• Ask the children how many times you sang "wave on?"  (4)
• Ask them to sing it with you, then ask what the two rhyming words are. 
• (free and liberty)  
• Sing the 2 lines again
• Sing the whole song
• Tell the children that there are two phrases that are repeated in the song.  Ask if anyone can guess what one or both of the phrases are.
• Sing the song again
• Ask the children if this song can be sung in any other country.  (yes! It celebrates patriotism!)

Gather flags or pictures of flags where missionaries are serving in your branch, ward or stake and wave the flags as your sing.

Father's Day review activity

If possible, write the names of each child on a paper and put them in a bag or box.  (We have all their names on popcicle sticks in a jar.)  Choose several songs that you need to review along with some Father's Day songs.  Give the list to your pianist.  Let the pianist choose which one to sing.

• draw 5 names from the bag and ask them to tell what they like about their dad.
• Ask another child to guess what the song as the pianist plays the introduction.  Sing the song.
• draw 5 names from the bag and ask them to tell what their dads do for them. 
• Ask another child to guess what the song as the pianist plays the introduction.  Sing the song.

Continue in this fashion as long as time permits.

First Principles & Ordinances of the Gospel

The theme for June incorprorates "The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel."  Several songs are used in the month's presentations.  The Fourth Article of Faith, pg. 124, presents the theme perfectly.  Faith, pg. 96, explains the first principle - faith.  The Holy Ghost, pg. 105, is also suggested as it explains how the Holy Ghost helps us and what we need to do to receive his help.

I have written a post on how to teach the 2nd verse of Faith, which is a bit more difficult than the first verse.  Check it out on previous posts under Faith.

First Verse:  Use a picture of Christ being baptized.  Tell the children that He received the Holy Ghost right after He was baptized.  Then show the picture of The Last Supper.  Tell the children that Jesus promised the disciples that He would send another comforter once He was gone, which was the Holy ghost. Sing the first verse using the pictures to prompt the words.

*** Father's Day is just a few weeks away.  There are several posts about "Father's Day."  Check them out for ideas for activities and learning Father's Day songs.

Review "Praise to the Man"

Let's review Praise to the Man!  If you are teaching children that can read, use word strips that you defined in the previous post.

• Place word strips in a mixed-up order on half of the board
• Sing the first phrase
• Have a child find the word or words that were sung in that phrase and place them in order on one side of the board
• Sing the next phrase and do the same thing until you finish the verse

Chorus

• Sing the chorus together
• Have the boys sing the first phrase of the chorus
• Girls sing the second
• Teachers sing the third
• Everyone sings the rest of the chorus together

Other ideas

• everyone whose first name begins with A, J, L or M sing the 1st two phrases
• everyone whose first name begins with B, Z, C, L, K sing the rest of the chorus
• Everyone who is in 3rd or 5th grade sing . . .
• Use several combinations

Non-Readers

• Use several pictures of Joseph Smith that connect with the phrases
• The First Vision
• Joseph receiving the priesthood
• Joseph being baptized
• Joseph preaching
• Joseph going to Carthage Jail
• any other picture that will help children remember the words
• Sing the hymn several times, first in short sections then all the way through

Praise to the Man - Chorus

The chorus to Praise to the Man celebrates Joseph Smith and his great work in restoring the gospel on the earth.

Explain each phrase so the children understand what they are singing:

• Hail to the prophet - praise the prophet Joseph Smith
• ascended to Heaven - because of Joseph Smith's faithfulness, he went up to heaven
• Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain - people that did not like Joseph Smith can't fight him anymore because he died knowing that the gospel will never be taken from the earth.
• Mingling with Gods, he will plan for his brethren - Joseph Smith and other prophets are preparing a place for us in heaven if we are righteous and obey God's commandments.
• Death cannot conquer the hero again - Joseph Smith can't die again.

Ask the children and teachers to help explain the meaning of each phrase.  They might have good explanations, too.  Sing one phrase at a time then sing two phrases together, and so on.

Review the first verse 2 or 3 times, then start the chorus.  This song will need to be reviewed every week so the children will truly know it by the fall.

Praise to the Man, first verse

Praise to the Man was a part of the Primary Program 5 years ago and interestingly enough there were no helps in teaching this hymn given then either. Five years ago I taught the sign language to the children and it truly helped them learn it ( see Praise to the Man).  Not all people are capable of teaching in sign language and if you don't check with a professional interpreter, some of your signs that you may think are correct may have a totally different meaning to a deaf person.  So be cautious when using sign language.  It is difficult to mimic what you see on a video including the Church website.

Begin by teaching the song in small sections.
First two phrases: Define and talk about the following words for the next few weeks until you feel the children understand (somewhat) these words.

• commune  - talk to, communicate with
• Jehovah - another name for Jesus
• Anointed - Called to perform a duty/work/task/be a leader
• Prophet and Seer - how was Joseph Smith a prophet and seer?  How is Pres. Monson a prophet and seer? 
• Last dispensation - This is the last time the Lord will have a prophet on the earth before Jesus comes again.
• Kings shall extol him. - Kings will enthusiastically praise him
• Nations revere  -  nations will respect and admire him

Sing these phrases several times and remind the children of the meaning. Repetition will be the best way to help the children learn this hymn and love it!

Mother's Day Bouquet

One of my favorite things to do on Mother's Day is:

• Cut out 20 flowers or use artificial flowers
• Choose songs that you would like to review including some Mother's Day songs.
• You can put the titles on the flowers or give a list to your pianist and he/she can play the songs on the list.
• Call 2 or 3 children up to pick a flower and tell one thing they love about their mother.
• Sing one of the songs on the list
• Continue as time permits

You can put the flowers in a basket or draw stems on the board and let the children tape them to the top of the stems.  Artificial flowers can be placed in a vase.