Snowman Review

The more children (and adults for that matter) sing a song, the more it becomes apart of them.  The trick in reviewing one song is to keep the children focused on an activity so they don't realize that they are singing the song several times.

Cut out 3 circles out of white paper - one large, one medium and one small for the head of the snowman.  Cut a hat out out of black or another color.  Cut out several black circles for eyes and mouth, and a few for the buttons down the front of the snowman.  An orange carrot for the nose and a colorful scarf will be needed.  Sticks for the arms and a shovel or broom for him to hold are optional.  Choose several phrases from the 4 verses of  "I Am a Child of God" and print them on individual slips of paper. 

Tell the children that they are going to build a snowman.  Have a child pick a slip of paper and read the phrase.  Decide what verse it comes from, then sing that verse.  Choose another child to put up a piece of the snowman.  If you only have time for singing each verse once, make sure there are only 4 pieces to the snowman or put up a few pieces to the snowman to ensure he is complete by the end of singing/sharing time..  You can sing only the verse and save the chorus to sing at the end.  That way you will have more time to sing the verses several times and use more pieces to the snowman.

I Am A Child of God - 3rd verse

Sing through the first 2 verses of "I Am   Child of God."  Ask the children what each verse is talking about.

• 1st verse - Who I am, where and to whom I was sent from heaven - child of God, sent to earth to parents kind and dear.
• 2nd verse - Who I am, I have needs, what I need to understand.

The third verse talks about blessings that are mine if learn what Heavenly Father wants me to learn.  Ask the children to share several blessings that we will receive if we follow the teachings of Jesus.  The list could be short or long. 

Sing the third verse.  Have the children sing with you.  Help them sing it 3 times and then sing the chorus.  Ask them what phrase each verse begins with.  (I Am Child of God.)  Why is it important to know who we are.  The children may ave several responses.  Sing the first 3 verses with chorus each time.

I Am a Child of God - verses 3 and 4

Write all the rhyming words on strips of paper.  Tape them to the board in scattered order.  Sing the 3rd verse and have the children help put the words in order.  Sing the 3rd verse.  Do the same with the 4th verse.  Be sure to sing all verses as a review.

I Am a Child of God - verse 1 and 2

The theme for 2013 is "I Am a Child of God."  Most children know this song.  I am going to challenge the children to learn all 4 verses in sign language and the descant.  The sign language for this song is on the church website.  As a music leader, you must be fluent in the sign language before you teach it to the children.  If sign language is not something you want to do, try teaching them all 4 verses and the descant.

This week, sing the first verse.  Ask the children to answer the following questions using the words or phrases from the song.

• Who are you?   "I am a child of God."
• What has God done for you?  1. "He has sent me here." 2. "Has given me an earthly home,"  3. "Parents, kind and dear."
• What do we need from Him?  1. "lead me," 2. "guide me,"  3."walk beside me,"  4."help me find the way,"  5. "teach me all that I must do to live with Him some day."

Sing the first verse again.
If time permits, do the same thing with the second verse.

• What are your needs?  (have the children list some of the things we need from God such as good health, knowledge, scriptures, understanding, etc.)

• Why do we need this now - "before it grows too late"

Sing the second verse and chorus.  Tell them that the chorus is the same after each verse.  Sing both verses and chorus.