Popcorn Popping!

Begin singing time with "Popcorn Popping,"  p. 242.  Prepare the board with a large branch from a tree - drawn on the board or tape one that is cut out of brown paper.  Make sure there are a few branches.  Cut out about 40 blossoms from pink, dark pink, purple and white colored paper.  The blossoms can be as simple as a 2 to 3 inch circles or elaborate with petals.  On the back of 5 to 7 blossoms write the names of songs that you would like to review.  If you would like, write "choose your favorite" on a couple blossoms.  Explain to the children that Spring is popping out everywhere.  Sprinkle the blossoms on the floor or put them in a basket.  Tell the children that you will choose 4 or 5 children to put a blossom on the tree branch after each song.  If they choose a blossom with a song on it, sing that song or the child's favorite.  If more songs are chosen from the 4 or 5 children, sing each song but continue to choose super singers after each song to help get all the blossoms on the branch by the end of singing time.  If time permits, sing "Popcorn Popping,"  p. 242 at the end.

Umbrella Singing Time

How about "Singing in the Rain" under an umbrella!  Print as many umbrellas as you have songs or phrases to sing and teach.  Print them on colored paper or color them yourself.  On the pack tape the song title or phrase of a new song to learn.  Put the umbrellas in a basket or other container.  Choose super singers to pick an umbrella and tape it to the board where you have drawn a number of raindrops.  If you have time, you can draw or cut out stick-figure children to place on the bottom of the board and have the children place the umbrellas above them so they don't get wet.  This is a great way to review songs!

Songs about Jesus

This month's song is your choice - a song about Jesus.  In the Sacrament Meeting Outline, page 9, there are some suggestions on teaching "He Sent His Son" CS p. 34 - 35.  This is a great song that teaches the children some of the things Jesus taught us.  Counting how many times we sing "His son" is a good way to keep the children focused.

Another song about Jesus is "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus," CS p. 57.  Use pictures that illustrate the phrases of the song such as:

• Children gathered around Jesus
• Healing the lepers or the good Samaritan
• Christ by the seashore or walking on water

Make sure the you repeat the phrases several times if the children are not familiar with the song.

Easter Week

Write the follow events on a paper then fold it and put it in a plastic Easter Egg.

• Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem
•  The Last Supper  (washing the apostles' feet)
• Jesus praying in Gethsemane
• Peter's denial
• The crucifixion
• Burial of Jesus
• Mary and the Resurrected Lord

Obtain the pictures of each of these events -- it is a good visual for the children.

Choose 7 songs that go along with the Easter theme or about Jesus.  Place the eggs in a basket.  Write the numbers 1 - 7 on the board.  Place the pictures on the floor or on the board in a scrambled order. Explain to the children that they will be putting the pictures in order of when each event happened the last week of Christ's life.  Choose a child from each class or pick names from a jar with all the children's names in it.  Let the child choose an egg and read what the event was.  Sing a song.  While you are singing have the children decide where that event (and picture) goes in order of when it happened.  Repeat until all the pictures are up in order.  Always share your testimony -- it will have great impact on the children as they remember their Primary experiences.