Christmas Presents

One of my favorite activities at this time of year is "Christmas Present Singing Time."  I select 8 to 10 songs (mostly Christmas songs).  I put the titles in a box and wrap it up.  I use boxes of all different sizes and a variety of wrapping paper.  I don't use ribbon because it takes too long to open.  There are several ways to pick the person to open the present.

• Before the children come into Primary, put a sticker under 8 chairs.  Make sure that the stickers are random throughout the room.  Who ever has a sticker on their chair gets to pick a present.
• Put names in a bag or box and draw a name out.
• Have a teacher choose a child to open the present.

I try to sing just one verse so there is plenty of time to sing all the songs.

Decorate the Christmas Tree

A tried and true activity is "Decorate the Tree."  Cut out a large Christmas tree -- green poster board works well.  (I like to laminate it so I can uses it year after year.)  Using colored paper, cut out different ornament shapes.  On the backs of the ornaments put the names of Christmas songs, don't forget to use the ones from the hymn book.  For variety, you can have several ornaments with the question, "What did/does Jesus give to me?"  Another set of ornaments could have the question, "What can I give to my family, friends, etc.?"  The children can choose ornaments and either answer the question or sing the song, whichever is on the back of the ornament.  They can put their ornament on the tree.

If you have a small Primary, you can stick an ornament under each chair and let each child have a turn decorating the Christmas tree.

When Joseph Went to Bethlehem

This is a great active song as well as telling the Christmas story.  Tell the children that we are going to act out this song as we sing.  They will need to stand.

• First verse - place tools on a shelf, shut the door, sweep the door step, tap the donkey, put the bread and cheese in a handkerchief, bring the corners together and hold it
• Second verse - bow your head in a shy manner, "chilly hours" wrap your arms around yourself as if you were cold, smooth the baby's blanket, hold the baby.
• Third verse - reach up and dim the light, hold the baby very close.  

The whole primary can act this out or you can choose one class or a few children to do the actions.  Have one side do one verse and the other side the second verse and everyone the third verse.  If you don't know this song you can sing a phrase or two while you act it out with the children several times.  It is also fun to have the pianist play it while the children act out the words without singing or simply humming.

Thanksgiving Turkey

Thanksgiving or giving thanks is a great concept to teach children.  I love to give the children many opportunities to express their thankfulness -- they come up with treasured ideas.  I made a simple turkey and 10 feathers (more or less).  Tape the turkey on a board.  Let the children either put the feathers on the turkey or take them off.  There are several things that you can put on the feathers:

1. titles of "thankful" songs
2. titles of favorite songs
3. phrases of a song that you are working on

Ask the children to tell one or two things that they are thankful for, then let them choose a feather.  Sing the song or phrase on the feather.

How to make a simple turkey:

Make one large circle for the turkey body.  Cut another small circle for the head.  You can put a waddle, eyes, mouth and feet if you would like.  Cut several feathers out.  I made the feathers out of several different colors.  It should look like this:

The Pumpkin Patch

Halloween is not a holiday that we celebrate in church but when it falls on a Sunday, many of us look for ways to incorporate it. Here is a tasteful idea and easy.

The Pumpkin Patch
Cut out several pumpkins, different shapes and sizes. On the back write the name of songs for the children to choose and sing. OR, write words or phrases of a song that they are learning on the backs of several pumpkins and have them either guess the song or sing the phrase.

If I Listen with My Heart -- Pre-reader help

As I have been teaching "If I Listen With My Heart," I've used a word chart. The problem with this is that it's great for readers but you loose the non-readers. To help with this potential problem, I cut out 12 hearts about as big as my hand, in two different colors (it really doesn't matter the colors, just make sure you use just two colors). I wrote "listen" one color and "heart" on the other color. I then taped a tongue depressor (or Popsicle stick) on the back. Just before we started singing the song, I gave a heart to 12 "non-readers" And told them to listen for the word on their heart and hold it up high when they heard it. The older children were glad to help. What a difference it made for busy 3, 4 and 5 year-olds! It was a great way to keep everyone focused! If some children didn't get a turn, those the had a heart gave their heart to someone who hadn't had a turn the next time we sang the song or the next verse.

If I Listen with My Heart

If I Listen with My Heart
I began with the second verse because it was so applicable around General Conference. I started by asking the children who assigned (or told) the speakers at General Conference what topic/subject to speak on. There were several answers, but they were all surprised that the Lord told them what to speak about. Speakers fasted and prayed to know God's will. It was now up to us to prepare ourselves to hear not only with our ears but with our hearts to know what Heavenly Father wants us to hear.

Sing the first phrase and clap the rhythm as you sing. Ask the children if they could hear a pattern in the rhythm. (fast fast slow slow slow slow, fast fast slow slow slow, fast fast slow slow slow, fast fast s-l-o-w) Sing it again and have them clap with you. Then have them sing it with you. (I like to have them sing it 3 times.) To vary the repetition here are some different ways to sing:

• soft
• loud
• face east
• face west, etc.
• stand up
• face your neighbor
• close your eyes

Sing the second phrase and ask if the music is the same or different from the first phrase. (The rhythm is the same, the music is the same except for the last 3 notes.) Have the children sing this phrase 3 times so they are familiar with the words. Then sing both phrases 3 times. Vary as follows:

• boys only
• girls only
• boys sing 1st phrase, girls sing 2nd phrase then switch
• teachers sing one phrase, children sing other phrase
• one side of the room sings one phrase, other side of the room sings other phrase
• you sing one, they sing one

Sing the last phrase and see if they can hear the rhythm repetition. Help them by clapping. Have them sing it 3 times with variation. Now sing the last phrase. Tell them that they sing this line at the end of each verse. When you teach the 3rd verse, tell them that you hold out each note/word as you sing the last phrase to emphasis the importance of the message.

I teach one verse a week so I have time to sing a few familiar songs during sharing time. Children love to sing something that they know well.

More Ideas for Teaching Songs

The outline for the 2011 Sacrament Program has many helps and suggestions. Page 26 and 27 of the outline give several suggestions and ideas for teaching the songs for the program.

The week after our Sacrament Program, I like to teach the children the “new” song for the next year's program. It gives us a jump start for next year but it is also refreshing to learn something new. If your primary is like ours, you have just spent several weeks drilling and rehearsing for the program so a new song is a welcome change.

When teaching a new song, have the accompanist play the new song several times as prelude music. This will help create familiarity for everyone.

Teach the new song to a few children ahead of time and have them sing it in primary to introduce it. Having a few teacher sing it as an introduction is also a great “attention getter.”

Humming and clapping are great ways to learn melody and rhythm.

I determine which song will be the most difficult in the new program. I choose to teach the sign language for this song along with the words. This keeps the children focused and helps them learn the words easier and better. The song is usually the hymn. The sign language is on the Church web site. Click for hymns. Click for Primary Songs.

Sing a little louder!

Have you ever tried to get the children to sing louder -- and they just yell or scream? I've had the same results. However, I came up with a wonderful way to get the results I want. I made a a grandma and grandpa -- I colored their hair gray to ensure that they would look elderly. I put them on a stick so I could hold them easily. I explained to the children that sometimes as we get older we don't hear as well. I asked if any of them had grandparents or great-grandparents that couldn't hear them very well. Several raised their hands. I asked them what helped their grandparents hear them better. One little boy said, "I just talk a little louder." That was the perfect answer! I added, "You didn't yell or scream at them?" The little boy smiled and said, "I wouldn't do that, I love my grandpa." Again, another perfect answer. So if we have grandparents in the audience/congregation, we might want to sing a little louder so they can hear us. I explained to the children that when I hold up the grandma or grandpa, or both of them, we all need to sing a little louder so Grandma and Grandpa can hear us.

As we rehearsed for our primary program, this technique worked beautifully. There was no yelling or screaming. They all just sang louder. You are welcome to use the following pictures.

Clap That Tune

This is a great listening game and they DO have to know the songs. Instead of "Name That Tune," we are going to "Clap That Tune." Print the names of several songs on pieces of paper. You can use cute paper shapes -- flowers, kites, suns, stars, etc. or just strips of paper. You can also make 2 or 3 strips of the same song so the children can sing it more than once. Put the papers in a bag, basket, etc. for the children to draw from. Make sure that you have enough time to sing all the songs at least once.

Have children take turns drawing a piece of paper. Then the child that draws must clap the rhythm of the song and see who can guess the correct song. Sing the song. If there are more than one verse, sing both verses or if time permits, put the paper back in and next time sing the second verse.

Great for reviewing!

Follow the Prophet Quiz

We have just spent several months teaching new music to children now lets see what they know. This game is called “Primary Genius: Follow the Prophet” We have chosen to sing 5 verses of “Follow the Prophet.” Prior to singing each verse ask a question that can be answered in the verse. Sometimes the children can answer before (if they know the song well) other times they need to sing the song to find the answer. The following are easy questions:

• Who was Adam? A prophet, first one that we know
• Where did he live? In Eden

Sing the verse
Harder questions:

• What was Adam's occupation? He helped things to grow. He served the Lord.
• What is our relationship to Adam? We are his descendants in the later days.

Remind the children that the answers are in the song.

• What was Noah called to do? Preach the word
• Who listened? No body

Sing the verse
Harder questions:

• What did Noah try to preach? Repentance
• What made the people begin to worry? When they saw the rain

Last verse:

• Now we have a world where ______________, people are confused
• Who should we follow? The prophet

Sing the verse
Harder questions:

• Where do find out about the problems in the world? The news
• Where can we get direction? Heed the prophet follow what he says.

You can have the questions written on pieces of paper and have the children draw them from a bag or basket. Color-code them so you can tell if they are hard or easy questions. When they are mixed up, you may sing the verse several times – which is great for review! Remember to sing the chorus once in a while. I sing the chorus after the first verse and after the last verse mostly in the interest of time.

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.

Mother's Day

I Often Go Walking:
Cut out one or more:

• green clovers (shamrocks will do)
• blue flowers
• several different flower shapes (different colors)
• bouquet of flowers (artificial, real or paper)

Idea 1
Have a child or a few children hold up:

• the clover as you sing the first phrase.
• blue flowers as you sing the second phrase.
• several different flowers as you sing the third phrase.
• bouquet of flowers as you sing the forth phrase.

Idea 2
Once they know the song:

• 1st phrase - walk in place through the clover
• 2nd phrase - play like you are gathering armfuls of blossoms
• 3rd phrase - play like you are picking one flower at a time
• 4th phrase - play like you are giving the bouquet to Mother

Idea 3
Trade every other phrase:

• boys then girls
• half the room then the other half
• teachers then children
• children then piano