Make Room for Him

"Make Room for Him" is a beautiful song in this month's Friend, p. 30.  It tells of Christ's birth and how we can appreciate it today.  This would be a great week to teach it to the primary.

If you can use the sing-a-long video in primary, the children will enjoy seeing/hearing it and it brings in a variety to your singing time.  You can view it on children.lds.org then click on "Music."

Joy to the World

One of my favorite carols is "Joy to the World."  Teaching children  this carol is quite simple because of the repetition.

• Read the first phrase and tell them about how the angels must have sung with great joy and enthusiasm as they announced the birth of Jesus.
• Ask the children to sing like the angels must have sung.
• "Let earth receive their king!" What a great gift that was then and now.
• Again, sing like the angels must have sung.
• The next phrase talks about letting Christ into our lives/hearts
• Sing like the angels must have sung.
• Begin singing the next line soft.  
• As you repeat this line get louder until the last line you are singing quite loud with enthusiasm.

Teach the next verses in a similar fashion - explaining the meaning of each phrase and singing as the angels would have sung.

Silent Night

Children aren't learning Christmas carols in school as much nowadays.  The definition of a carol is a song that talks about anything that has to do with the birth of Christ - the kings, shepherds, animals, star, Mary, Joseph, angels, manger, etc.

Try teaching them "Silent Night" hymn # 204.  Some children will know it and enjoy singing it.  This lends itself to pictures of the manger scene.  Explain the words and phrases such as:

• all is bright and calm around Mary and Jesus
• sleep quietly

Often times children may have heard the song many times but because we don't always enunciate well or the words may be "old fashioned," they do't know what they are saying, but rather mimic what they think they have heard.

Take time to pronounce the words correctly and explain their meaning.

"Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus"

There is never enough time to sing Christmas songs, so dive in!

"Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus," p. 36 is a great song to begin with.  The original name was "Christmas in Zarahemla." (see p. 36, footnotes)

This song begins in the minor key and tells the story of Samuel prophesy of Christ's birth.  The children may want to help tell the story.

Sing the first verse a few times with the children then sing or read the words to the second verse.  Sing the second verse a few times.

The chorus is joyous and the major key enhances the message of joy.  Sing it for the children then have them sing it with you.  Sing the entire song a few times.

You can also point out the rhyming words throughout the song.

Thankful Songs

Adding different lyrics to familiar tunes gives new life to the song.  It also makes you think about the words and/or the message a little more.  A Happy Family and When We're Helping, p. 198, can both be used as "thankful" songs with a few word changes.

I thank Mother; she thanks me.
We thank daddy, yes sirree;
He thanks us, and so you see,
We are a thankful family.

You can change to grandpa, grandma, teacher, friends, sister, brother, bishop, neighbor, uncle, etc.  The children may have some more to add.

When we're thankful, we're happy,
And we sing as we go;
And we like to thank mother,
For we all love her so.

Use the words above to substitute for "mother."

No Time to Prepare Singing Time

No time to put together something for singing time?  We've all been there.

November is a gratitude month.  Sing "I Am Glad for Many Things," p. 151.

• How many syllables are in "many things?"  (3)
• Let's think of some foods that we are thankful for that will fit in place of "many things."  (red apples, bananas, pears & grapes)
• How about favorite foods.  (hamburgers, pizza pie, Mac & cheese)
• Desserts.  (apple pie, choc'late cake, ice cream cone)
• Clothes.  (winter coat, fluffy hat, fuzzy gloves, hiking shoes)
• People.  (Mom & Dad, Gramps & Grams, uncles - aunts)
• Thinks to do.  (bicycling, playing games, racking leaves)

The list can go on and on but the key is to only use 3 syllables.  Sometimes you need to force an extra syllable.

You can also use "Fun to Do," p. 253, and come up with ways to serve others.

• Sharing my toys is fun to do . . .
• Racking up leaves is fun to do . . .
• Sharing my lunch is fun to do . . .
• Helping Mom clean is fun to do . . .
• Gardening with Gramps is fun to do . . . 
• Baking some bread is fun to do . . .
• Playing with friends is fun to do . . .
• Mowing the lawn is fun to do . . .
• Shoveling snow is fun to do . . .
• Mopping the floor is fun to do . . .

These are both fun activities for the children and take very little effort on your part.  They are fun, but also help teach thankfulness and service.

Fall Fun

Choose some favorite songs including a few "Autumn" songs.  You can use "Rain Is Falling..." p. 241, and change the word "rain" to "leaves."  The children will love it.  You could also use p. 246 and 247 along with your favorites.

Cut a large pumpkin shape out of orange paper.  With black paper, cut two eyes, a nose, a mouth, eyebrows, cheeks, maybe ears and curly eyelashes.  You could also cut out a green stem, a vine and a few colored leaves.

Lay all the parts to use on the pumpkin on the table so the children can see them and choose what they want to use to decorate.  Every time you sing a song or a verse, let one or two children put something on the pumpkin.  Be sure to watch your time so the pumpkin gets fully decorated. 

Birthday Song

Is it time to learn a new birthday song? We often get stuck in a rut and sing the same songs for opening, closing and birthdays.  There are 6 birthday songs in the Primary Songbook, including the baptism one on p. 104.

If you'd like a challenging song, try Feliz, Cumpleanos, p. 282.  This one is great if you have people in your ward that speak different languages or returned missionaries.  They can help you pronounce the words or give it a try yourself and use the pronunciations in the song.  The melody is fun and the rhythm truly makes the song. 

You can use:

• word strips for pronunciation guides
• word strips with the country of the language
• pictures of children from the different countries

These will all help the children learn and love this new birthday song.  Always teach one phrase and a time with at least repeats of it so it sticks in their minds.

*It's always good if you know the song before you teach it.

When It's Fall Time

Enjoy singing some of the children's favorite songs.  Choose songs that your primary love to sing - many will come from the Sacrament Meeting Program this year.  Include p. 246 It's Autumntime, p. 247 Autumn Day and p. 241 Rain Is Falling (substitute leaves for rain).

I like to cut out leaf shapes in orange, yellow, red and brown.

• put the titles and/or page numbers on the back 
• tape the leaves to the board
• ask a child to to pick a leaf
• sing the song that is on the back
• continue until all the leaves are chosen

Weak Link

Did you make note of the songs that needed a little extra work before the upcoming program?  Determine which songs you would like to review - sometimes it's a verse that is weak.

Tell the children that sometimes we need to scrub the floor a little harder to get it clean or a stain on our clothes.  Our shoes may look okay but with a little cleaning and brushing we can make them shine.

Our songs for the program may be okay, but we want them to be spectacular.  It's our way of giving our best to Heavenly Father.  So . . . lets "shine" up our songs so we know that we are doing the best we can.

• Sing through the first song to be reviewed.  Ask the children what could be better - words, melody, etc.
• Sing it again and look for improvement.  Let the children help check for improvement.  
• Go over words, melody or a weak spot in the song.
• Sing it again.  Is it better?

Continue in this fashion.

Judgement Time

It's review time as we all prepare for our Primary Sacrament Meeting Program.  I like to evaluate what songs the children know well and those that need some refreshing.

• Sing through each song that you plan on singing in the program - remember to sing all verses if possible.
• Rate each of the songs - 1 through 10, 10 being awesome.
• Make written note of each song and what needs work as you review.

I like to engage the children in this activity.

• Make 3 or 4 sets of cards numbering 1 through 10
• Choose 3 or 4 children to "judge" the first song
• after singing the song, each of the "judges" will hold up a card that will show how well they all know the song.
• Make sure the "judges" know that 1 is pretty bad, 5 is okay and 10 is awesome.
• You might want to judge verses separately as sometimes one verse is better than another.
• Choose 3 or 4 different children to "judge" the next song. 
• Continue in this fashion

Next week plan on working on the songs that need the most work.

Be sure to use these songs for opening and closing songs to keep them fresh in the children's minds.

Making the Most Out of Singing Time

How can I help children internalize the messages in the songs that we sing?

This is a great question that we should ask ourselves every time we teach or sing Primary songs.  As we prepare for the Sacrament meeting program, we review songs over and over.  It is when you hear the children humming or singing the songs at home, while they play, in the car, on walks, etc. that many of the words and precepts become apart of them.  They begin to understand why they are baptized, stories from the scriptures, why we study the scriptures, why we pray, the importance of missionary work and genealogy, etc.

This post is to encourage singing, reviewing songs and singing again to help the children remember the songs.  You don't always have to have props or visuals. Singing one song after another or having a contest to see how many songs you can sing during your singing time is a great activity.

Sing standing up, facing the back or side of the room, singing every other phrase and humming the other phrase all help the children think about what they are singing.

Choosing Time - Review

Choosing time can be fun for the children and also help you know the songs they know and love. Often times the songs are the very songs that you have been working on for the up coming program. If your pianist is comfortable with playing any song the children choose, let the children have free rein on choosing. Otherwise, use a controlled choosing time.

I have several posts that have ideas for choosing times: back-to-school, fall,etc. The following is a generic choosing time that will work anytime you need.

• cut out 8 or more circles from colored paper. (You can use different shapes if you would like.)
• Write a song title on the back of the circles (I include the page number for ease of your accompanist)
• Tape the circles to the board or around the room 
• Choose a child to pick a circle and sing the song.
• Always make note of the songs that need a little more review so you can work on it another time.
• Try to keep this activity moving so you sing as many songs as possible.

How many ways do we try to be like Jesus? As you help the children prepare for the Primary Sacrament Meeting Program, review the songs that you have learned. As you sing each song, ask the children to find phrases or clues in the songs that remind us to be like Jesus.

End with "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" - both verses.
Reviewing the songs that you have learned will help the children remember them as well as polish them for the program. Memorizing the words is important. It helps internalize the meaning of the song. If the children know the songs well, they will sing them often throughout the week. They will come to love them and be able to call upon their meaning as they need.

I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus - 2nd verse

The second verse of this song puts into action how we can be like Jesus.
Use the following pictures from your ward library:

• people/children doing service
• Picture of Christ - I use the picture of Christ's appearing to the Nephites or the resurrected Christ
• a child praying and/or studying

1. Sing the second verse while you show the pictures for each phrase.
2. Ask the children to sing the first phrase of the second verse with you 2 or 3 times.
3. Then show the picture of Christ and sing the second phrase with the children 2 or 3 times.
4. Show the child praying or studying and sing the third phrase a few times with the children.
5. Sing the second verse with the children.  
6. You can have the girls sing the first phrase, boys the second and teachers the third.  then rotate who sings each phrase.
7. Sing the whole song as a review.

I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

This is a great song to have in the children's repertoire. This is what we are here on earth to become - more like Jesus.

Find several pictures of people serving others. Include deacons passing the sacrament, collecting fast offerings as well as Jesus serving and blessing others.

• Sing the whole song.
• Then sing one phrase at a time and have the children sing it with you a few times.
• Continue through the first verse.
• Sing the whole verse with the children.
• After, remind them of the importance of being like Jesus.

Reverence Is Love - Review

As you review this song, ask the children why reverence is important.  Sing the song.  If the children are stumbling on words or phrases, sing the phrases a few times that may be difficult to remember.

Ask the following questions to help reinforce the meaning of this song:

• How can you show reverence?
• What are some ways we show reverence while the sacrament is being passed?
• When we sing, how can we show reverence?
• Can we sing fun or fast songs reverently?  How?
• How can we show reverence in our classes? Sharing time?  Singing time?
• How can we show reverence when we have activities in the church?
• Do we only show reverence at church?

As you ask these questions, sing the song after a few answers.  The words will help the children understand the meaning of reverence as you sing the song several times - as well as having it memorized.

Pioneer

This is a great time to review or teach some pioneer songs (p. 214 - 223).  Choose your favorite songs and put a puzzle together.

Draw a picture of a covered wagon:

• Tape 4 pieces of paper together (8 1/2" x 11")
• draw a simple picture of a covered wagon
• cut it into 5 to 8 pieces (puzzle-like shapes)

Tell the children that they are going to put together a puzzle of something that was needs as the pioneers trekked across the plains. Sing one of the songs that you have chosen and after put up a puzzle piece.  Continue singing one song or verse and putting up a puzzle piece until the puzzle is complete.

If you are teaching a new song, sing one phrase at a time and then put up a puzzle piece.

Reverence Is Love

"Reverence Is Love," p. 31, is a favorite of mine.  It's all about the true meaning of reverence.  As adults, we tend to use the word reverence to mean quiet.  Then children never quite understand the full meaning of reverence.

• Make word strips of the following:
• quietly sitting
• thinking of Father above
• a feeling
• think of His blessings
• reverence is love
• words and deeds
• the pathway
• I know in my heart
• use a picture of Jesus for the last phrase
• Sing the song for the children.
• Sing the song again and put the word strips on the board (find pictures to go along with the words if possible - this will help the non-readers)
• Ask the children to sing the first phrase with you a few times.
• Continue with each phrase until you have finished the song.
• Plan on reviewing it next week.

My Flag, My Flag

Every country has their own flag.  "My Flag," p. 225, is a great song for any country!  The repetition makes this song easy to teach and fun to sing.  When you look at the words in "poem" style, you can see the repetition and rhymes.

My flag, my flag, my country's flag,
I love to see you wave;
My flag, my flag, my country's flag,
The banner of the brave.

Wave on, wave on forever,
The banner of the free;
Wave on, wave on forever,
The banner of the free;

The flag of liberty.

The children will need to hear the melody several times, so sing 2 lines at a time a few times then go to the next 2 lines.  It helps if you can move your hand with the melody so the children can see when the melody goes up or down.

Find pictures or actual flags of different countries and see if the children can identify which countries they represent.  Missionaries that you know may have one from the country they served in that you might borrow.

My Country

Regardless of the country that you live in, patriotism is important.  The Primary Songbook  has 2 great songs about showing patriotism - p. 224 and 225.  Once the children know these, they will become favorites.

"My Country" p. 224

• Sing the song for the children
• Tell them that countries all over the world have different landscapes:
• mountains
• deserts
• icebergs
• Sing the first verse then ask them to sing with you.
• Ask: What kind of landscape do we have here where we live?
• What other landscapes does this song mention?
• Did you hear any rhyming words? pride - wide, bound - found
• Sing the second verse
• Ask the children to share what this verse talks about.
• Can it apply to any country? Why?
• Sing it with the children.  Listen for rhymes.
• Sing the whole song a few times

Father's Day Fun

Choose some favorite Father's songs from the Primary Songbook - p. 201, 209 - 2011, 188, 191, 192, 193 are all great family songs that appropriate for Father's Day.

Depending on time and how many songs you choose to sing, ask 1 or more children to tell something about their father.  Then sing one of the songs.  things they can tell about their father could be:

• Favorite: food, game, color, scripture story, etc
• What does he do when he goes to work?
• What do you like to do with him?
• What does he like to do for fun?
• What's your favorite family activity?

*There are several activities in past posts.  Check them out!

Father's Day

Father's Day is two weeks away and there are several songs that celebrate fatherhood and grandpas.  One of my favorites is Fathers, p. 209.  I like the message and the importance of those who "father" each of us.

Begin with the chorus.

• phrase 1: We sing "special" twice: father's are so special with a very special love.
• phrase 2: they watch and protect - they guide and direct
• You may want to make word strips of these two sets of words so the children keep them together.
• phrase 3: Ask the children where the home above is. This phrase will have more meaning if they know that it's talking about heaven.

Verses:

• As you teach each verse, make sure the children know what father we are singing about.
• Use the rhyming words to help keep the words in order.
• Be sure to sing each verse separately several times so the children know the melody and words.
• This may take more than one week to teach.

Choose to Live the Gospel

Making the choice to live the gospel is important.  Sometimes we do it without thinking and other times we forget to think about living the gospel.  When the Lord commanded Nephi to return to Jerusalem to get the records, Nephi had no idea what kind of choices he would have to make to get them.

Ask the children what choices he had to make in order to bring the plates back to his father.  You might what to tell the story, read it or ask questions to help the children tell the story.   ( 1 Nephi 3:1-10, 18:4)

• What happened when they asked Laban for the plates?
• What did they decide to do?
• What happened when they offered Laban money?
• What choices did Nephi have to make after?

When the Lord asked Nephi to build a boat, what choices did he have to make as he did his best to do what the Lord asked him to do?

What are we asked to do?  How do we make choices to do what the Lord asks us to do?

• What do we do to prepare for Sunday so we can go to church?
• What choices to we make to honor our parents?
• What choices to we make to serve?

Sing each verse of Nephi's Courage, p. 120 after the discussion for each verse. You may have other questions that will help the children see that they make choices all the time.  Are they making good choices?

Baptism Sharing

We can't teach enough about baptism, confirmation and the 4th article of faith.  Choose songs from the Primary Songbook including p. 105, 100 and 103.

Use pictures from your ward library of people - children and adults, being baptized and/or confirmed.  Ask a child to pick a picture and tell something about baptism.  If they have been baptized, they could tell one thing that they remember about it.  If they haven't, they could tell something that they are looking forward to being baptized.

Sing one of the baptism songs then ask another child to share their thoughts. continue singing a song after each child.  You might want to ask one of the adults to share also.

Baptism

Baptism is a very important ordinance.  Whether we've been baptized or preparing to be, reminders of what it is and about is always helpful.

Begin with Baptism, p. 100, that tells about Christ's baptism and why we should be baptized.  Use a picture of Christ being baptized by John the Baptist.

When I Am Baptized, p. 103, tells about "being made clean."  Use a picture of a rainbow and/or a child being baptized.

The Holy Ghost, p.105, tells about the gift of the Holy Ghost and His purpose.  Share the fact that the Holy Ghost whispers, or a feeling and that we must listen carefully.  We must live so we can be close to our Heavenly Father and hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  Use a picture of a child being confirmed.

Appreciating Women

Mother's Day is a great time to be thankful for all the women in our lives. Choose several songs to review including some family songs.

Ask the children to think about all the women/girls in their lives.  You may have to give them an example or two to get them thinking.

• mother
• grandmother
• great grandmother
• aunts
• sister
• neighbor
• teacher - primary, school, music, coach, dance, doctor, dentist, etc.

Have one or two children tell something about a special girl in their lives, then sing one of the songs.  Continue this activity.

Mother's Day

Hanging out the "clothes." Choose some Mother's Day songs to  review.

• Print out several (10 or more) key words or short phrases from each song you want to review.
• cut them in strips (I like to use colored paper)
• If possible string or tie a piece or yarn or string across the board.
• Using clothes pins, clip the strips of paper along the string.
• Make sure the string is low enough for the children to reach.
• Choose a child to pick a strip off of the string.
• Can they guess which song it belongs to?
• Place the string in a small basket or bag.
• Sing the song.
• Repeat until all the strips have been chosen.

You can also do just the opposite and have the strips of paper in a basket and have the children choose from the basket and then "hang the strips out to dry."

*note:  Clothes pins can be found at Walmart or small ones at craft stores.

Mother's Day

Mother's day is a few weeks away. Whether the children are singing in Sacrament meeting, a special presentation in Primary or just to be prepared to sing to Moms and Grandmas, begin learning or reviewing some Mother's Day songs. There are 12 songs in the Primary Songbook that are appropriate for this special day.  Choose your favorites or try the ones with activities listed below.

When We're Helping p. 198

• bring a basket or bag with a few pieces of laundry - hand towel, wash cloth, a few T-shirts, etc.
• place the clothes (unfolded) in a pile on a table or chair
• ask the children if folding these clothes would help their mother
• have a few children come up and fold them as you sing this song
• bring a few dishes 
• ask a child to come up and set the table using the dishes
• sing the song as they set the table
• ask the children what they could do after dinner - wash or place dishes in dishwasher
• Sing the song as a few children play like they are cleaning up the dishes.

My Mother Dear p. 203 make or find pictures of the following:

• sunshine, a colorful flower, bluebird, a picture of a mother
• sing the song using the pictures to prompt the phrases
• sing one phrase and have the children sing with you a few times
• Sing the next phrase a few times and continue with the last two phrases
• Have the children sing the entire song a few times
• ask for helpers to hold up the pictures as you sing 

Easter

Help the children understand the event leading up to the resurrection of Christ.

Choose songs (about 8) from the Easter songs that the children know, include Popcorn Popping, p. 242, In the Leafy Treetops, p.240, Rain Is Falling, p. 241, My Heavenly Father Loves Me, p.228.

Choose several pictures (8) that tell about the last week of Christ's life. Use large pictures from your ward library so they are big enough for the children to see. Tape or hang them around the room.  Ask the children to put them in chronological order or have a child tell about the event.  Sing a song in between each picture.

General Conference Preparation

Next week is General Conference.  It's important that we encourage the children to listen or engage somehow to Conference.

Find several pictures of prophets through the ages, including Pres. Monson, and place them for the children to see.

Sing the first verse and chorus of Follow the Prophet, p. 110.  Tell them about General conference next week and ask them why we have Conference. (Answers will vary)  Sing the chorus again.

Ask the children to look at the pictures and think about the following questions:

• Can you name one of the prophets?
• Did they speak to the people of their time?
• Were they accepted well or did the people try to kill them?
• Can you think of any prophets that were killed by the unbelievers?
• Why do we have prophets?
• Can we learn from ancient prophets like Alma, Abinidi, Nephi, Moses, Abraham, etc.?
• What do learn from Joseph Smith?
• What can we learn from Pres. Monson?

You can come up with your own questions and add to the list.

Intersperse the questions with the following songs:

• Follow the Prophet, p. 110  (sing one verse at a time)
• Latter-day Prophets p. 134
• Stand for the Right p. 159
• Keep the Commandments p.146
• We'll Bring the World His Truth p.172
• Choose the Right hymn # 239
• Book of Mormon Stories p.118
• End with the last verse of Follow the Prophet p. 110

"Nephi's Courage" Review

Review Nephi's Courage, pg. 120, with the following activity:

• Assign each class a word from the song and stand every time it is sung.
• Command, commandment or commanded
• courageous
• obey
• try
• go
• do

An alternative activities are:

• Write the words on the board and ask the children to raise their hand every time they sing one of the words.
• Have the children stand whenever they sing: command, commandment or commanded
• Boys stand when they sing go.  Girls stand when they sing do. 

Nephi's Courage

This song will stick to children throughout life!  It's a favorite to sing, also. Using visuals helps children and adults remember the words as well as the meaning of the song.

You will need the following:

• word strips of: Commands, Commandments, Commanded, Reply
• a picture of "the plates"
• cutouts of Laban, Laman, Lemuel and Nephi (use an outlined picture of any biblical man and color the clothes differently and label each one with one of the names.)
• picture or cutout of a boat

Verse 1 and 2

• Sing one line at a time using the pictures, then have the children sing it with you.
• Hold up the word strips as you sing the word or tape them to the board and point to them as you sing the word. 
• Point our that there are rhyming words at the end of the lines (phrases).  Ask the children to see if they can hear them.

Verse 3

• 1st phrase - sing this phrase and ask, "What commandments does Heavenly Father give us?  How do we obey them?  Sing the phrase with the children.
• 2nd phrase - sing this phrase and ask, "How are we tempted to make wrong choices?"
• Sing the next 2 phrases about being discouraged and courageous.  Ask the children if they have ever been discouraged and then had the courage to do what's right.  Sing the two phrases with the children.

Chorus

• Sing the chorus and ask how many times you sang  "commands?"  Sing it again if necessary.
• Ask the children if any of the phrases in the chorus are repeated.  You may need to sing the chorus again.
• Ask how the Lord provides a way for to keep his commandments.
• Why does Heavenly Father want us to obey?
• Sing the whole chorus - with exuberance.

Sing the entire song and ask the children to tally how many times they sing "command, commandments and commanded."

Review Hearts

At least once a month I try to review songs that we have learned since January. This month I'm using red and pink hearts .  I put the names of several songs on the back of each heart:

• I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus - 1st verse
• I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus - 2nd verse
• When I Am Baptized - 1st verse
• When I Am Baptized - 2nd verse
• Choose the Right - verse only
• Choose the Right - chorus only
• 2 - 5 more songs the children know.

Tap the hearts on the board or around the room.  Ask a child to pick a heart and read the name of the song.  Sing the song.  repeat the process until you have sung all the songs.  Make note of the ones the children need more work on for another week.

Order the Words

A great review activity for any song/songs is "find the word" and put them in order that they are sung.

Here are two examples:
I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus:

• trying
• following
• say
• tempted
• choice
• whispers
• learning
• gladness
• lessons
• gentle

When I Am Baptized

• rainbows
• ponder
• beauty
• earth
• baptized
• washed
• forgiven
• improve
• rain
• best

Make word strips of each word and tape them to the board jumbled up.  Sing the song. Ask two children to place two words (or more as time permits) in the order that they are sung in the song.  Sing the song again and follow the same procedure until all the words are in order.

A more difficult activity is to use words from two songs. Sing them both and have children take turns sorting and putting the words in order.  It's especially fun if you give them 30 seconds to see how many they can sort and/or put in order.

Diction - Singing Understandably

As I have listened to Primary programs throughout the years, although wonderful, most often we don't understand all the words - unless we know the song.

One thing that helps the most is teaching children to sing the words correctly. That means actually pronouncing all the consonants and singing on the vowels. Putting "t's" and "d's" on the end of words is probably the biggest challenge.  Children tend to think the word rather than saying/singing it. "S's" seem to be over done particularly with children - they love to "sssss."

As a primary music director, it is your job to help the children sing beautifully and understandably to help bring the spirit as we, the listeners, understand the words, hence the meaning.  Because the director already knows the words, we forget to really listen as the children sing to see if what they are singing can be understood.

To help with this challenge, here is a helpful activity to add when you teach a new song or review old songs:

• on 5" by 7" cards write the letter that you can't hear or need the children to think about saying.  I have a card for the following letters: T, D, V, K and C, P, L, B, R, G, M, N.  
• Using an 8 1/2" by 11" piece of card stock and with cotton balls outline an "S" - which means to sing a "soft" S.

These cards have helped children sing these letters so we can hear them - thus understanding the song.

When I Am Baptized - mirror activity

When teaching a new song (or even reviewing), young children need some visuals to to help them learn especially non-readers.  The older children will enjoy the visuals and it also helps keep everyone focused (even adults).

Before singing When I Am Baptized, p. 103, try the following activity:
You will need:

• a large mirror that is quite dirty so you can barely see yourself for the dirt or smudges. (bigger than a make-up compact)
• a clean rag to clean the mirror
• water or glass cleaner to clean the mirror

Show the dirty mirror to the children.  

Ask them if there is a way to clean the mirror.

Ask a child to clean the mirror.

Relate the activity to being baptized.

• What are things that we do that "smudge" ourselves?
• hit our brother/sister
• don't share
• don't obey
• the children will have other ideas
• We can always say we are sorry and try not to do it again
• When we take a bath, all our dirt is washed away
• When it rains, the earth gets a bath.
• When we are baptized, our sins or all the things we've done wrong are washed away just like cleaning the mirror.

Sing the song using any visuals from last weeks post.  Always sing a song 2 or 3 times to help it sink into the children's minds.

When I Am Baptized

This song is a fun one to teach.  You will need:

•  picture of a rainbow or make one
• picture of rain or cutout of a rain drop
• picture of a child being baptized
• word strip of "forgiven"
• wash rag

Ask the children if they have been really dirty.  How did they feel when they could wash their hands or take a bath.

Ask a recently baptized child to share their feelings after being baptized.  Ask an adult or you can tell how you felt when you were baptized.

This song tells how we can be spiritually clean.

Using the pictures, sing the first verse.  Have the children sing it with you.  With the pictures, sing the second verse and have them sing with you.  Sing both phrases a few times.

Sing the chorus. Invite the children to sing it with you.  Sing it a few times then try the whole song.

Be sure to thank the children for their participation in learning this new song.

Winter Singing Time

Make 10 or 12 snowflakes. Choose several songs that the children know - 10 or 12.  Include Choose the Right and I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus as well as Once There Was a Snowman, p. 249, and Rain Is Falling, p.241.  Tape the snowflakes on the board or all around the room.  Ask a child to choose one then sing the song.  It is always good to sing a song more than once, especially if they struggle with the words.

Snowflakes:

• Snowflakes have 6 points
• Cut 10 or 12 large circles out of white and/or light blue construction paper (dinner plate size)
• Fold circles in half then in thirds so it looks like a watermelon slice
• cut several small triangles, diamonds, etc. along the folded sides.
• unfold the circle and see the design you have made.
• Use your imagination so no two snowflakes are not alike.
• I laminate them so I can use them over and over again.

"Choose the Right" Review

Using the visuals from last weeks post (Jan. 8, 2017), tape them to the board and ask the children to put them in order as you sing the hymn.  If the visual is used more than once, put a tally mark next to it.

Review phrases that they need help on, then sing it again.

If they know the hymn well, try this activity as everyone sings the hymn:

• Boys stand when the word "choose" is sung.
• Girls stand when the word "right" is sung.
• As soon as they sing their word, they must quickly sit back down.

Choose the Right

I like to start learning the hymn for the year as soon as possible so the children have plenty of time to internalize it.  this year it is Choose the Right, #239. Click the links for pictures.

Preparation:

• Make a shield with CTR printed in the middle, (Hopefully you all know that it stands for Choose the Right.)  I used heavy cardstock and made it about about 14 inches tall.
• Picture of a flashlight or light bulb (or you can use the real thing)

Sing the first and hold up the shield every time you sing choose the right or right.

Every time you sing light, hold up the flashlight or light bulb.

Sing it a few times with the children.  

Have two children hold up the two pictures as you sing them.

Chorus

• Use the shield and flashlight/light bulb as you sing the chorus.
• Picture of books with a bookmark - "let wisdom mark the way before"
• Picture of children with Christ - "and God will bless you evermore"

Sing the chorus showing the pictures as you sing.  Invite the children to sing with you.