Take Time to Review

This is a 5th week and I try to use it as a review week.  Since January we have learned/reviewed 18 songs.  If you sing each of them, it will take up your entire singing time.  Look at the list and choose 9 songs that the children could use sing once or twice. 

• Cut out 9 stars (I use red, white and blue colors)
• Write on song title on each star
• Tape them to the board
• Choose a child to pick one
• Sing the song or ask if anyone can sing the first line - then sing the whole song with the children

*I make note if there are any songs that need more work for another singing time.

Behold the Great Redeemer Die

We have the great opportunity to teach children the hymns.  Where will they learn them if we don't teach them in Primary and at home.  Yes, some of them are difficult to learn and understand - even for adults, but we must still do our best.

Behold the Great Redeemer Die, # 191, is a beautiful hymn about the Savior's crucifixion, resurrection and the meaning of the sacrament. 

Teach phrase by phrase by singing each each one and then have the children sing it with you a few times.  The repeated phrase at the end will be the easiest.  Explain each phrase after you sing it.  Perhaps some of the children could also explain the meaning.  Repetition is by far the best way to learn a song. 

I like to teach the first and fifth verses.  All 5 verses are important to understand the full meaning of the sacrament and the gift that Christ unselfishly gave to each of us.  Never forget the verses beyond the ones written in the staff!  Often times they are the best!

The 5th verse tells about the triumph over death.  Sing it boldly with joy and love, just as Christ would love to hear it sung.  Use a pictures of Christ in Gethsemane, on the cross and the resurrection.  These pictures will help the children visualize what they are singing about.

*** Look up "Did Jesus Really Live Again" on this blog for ideas to teach this song.

Love One Another

"Love One Another," p. 136, is the perfect song to teach children about love.  In fact, it is used 4 times in 4 lines.  The phrase "love one another" is sung 3 times.

If this is new to your primary, sing each line and then have the children sing it with you 3 times.  Sing the whole song and ask the children to hold up one finger every time they sing "love."

Once they know the song, try teaching them the sign language on page 137.  This will help seal the words in their minds.

Ask the ward music director to sing this hymns in Sacrament meeting sometime this month.  This is a great way to reinforce learning in primary.