Come Follow Me

The song for July is a hymn - #116.  The 2015 Sharing Time Outline, p. 15 has a great idea for teaching this hymn.  The footprints are easy to make - use brown paper or add pizzazz and use bright colored footprints.  Print the words on the footprints or print word strips and tape or glue them on the footprints.  The words need to be large enough for the back row to read them so the footprints need to be at least a foot (12 inches) long or longer.

Teach one phrase at a time and sing it at least 3 times before moving to the next phrase.  You should be able to learn the 1st verse in one singing time.  Keep the footprints to use as a review during the rest of the month.

Father's Day Singing Time

There are several "Father's Day" activities that I have posted throughout the past several years.  Because I only use them once or twice at this time, I save the visuals and use them again another year.  If the kids remember the activity, they love doing it again.  If it is new to some, they will love doing it.  Click on a couple of "Father's Day" labels and choose one and use songs that your primary needs to review or Father's Day songs.  Here are a few activities that I've shared over the years:

Decorate a tie
Father's tie choosing time
Tool box choosing time
Daddy's hat choosing

Be sure to encourage the children to do and say something nice to their Dads, Grandpas, Uncles and special men in their lives.

My Dad and When Grandpa Comes

Father's Day is a week away.  One of my favorites is "When Grandpa Comes" p. 201.  The children especially like the phrase "He has a wrinkly, twinkly smile;" and the end of each phrase rhymes - except for the last line.  Sing it through twice then ask the children a question that can be answered in the song.

• What does Grandpa say?   the kindest things
• How does he say it?    in the kindest way
• Describe Grandpa's smile?  wrinkly, twinkly
• It's always fun when who comes?  Grandpa

My Dad, p. 211 is another great song about fathers.  Note that the first two and last two phrases rhyme. Sing each phrase then have the children sing it with you.  Sing the next phrase and have the children sing it twice.  Sing the first 2 phrases.  Follow the same pattern for the last two phrases.  Ask questions that can be answered in the song.  After each question, sing the song and ask the children to raise their hand when they sing the answer.  You might want to mix up the questions so they are not in the order as the song.

• Who's your favorite pal?  My dad
• Who do you help every day?  My dad
• What is plain to see?  I want to be like him in every way
• What does your dad teach you?  honesty  is best in all you do
• I'm very glad that ____________.  (fill in the blank)  he's my dad
• Who loves you?   My dad