"If the Savior Stood Beside Me"

"If the Savior Stood Beside Me" is the song for March.  The music is printed in the 2013 Sacrament Meeting Program.  It was used in the 2008 Sacrament Meeting Program, as well.  There is a great idea on page 26 for teaching this song.  On the church website, the entire song is printed out with a question mark in the back ground.  I love the pictures that were chosen to go with the questions, however, I couldn't find them all.  Instead of using modern day pictures, I am using pictures from the scriptures such as for the phrase, "would I do the things I do," the picture of Nephi subduing his rebellious brothers or the conversion of Alma the Younger, would be appropriate and a little more difficult to match.  I like to have easy pictures that match the words for the younger children and pictures that the older ones need to think about.

Place the words in order on the board.  Put the pictures on the sides of the board.  Sing the first phrase and have the children find the picture that goes with the phrase.  If they choose the "wrong" picture, put it under the question anyway and go to the next phrase.  Hopefully they will see the mistake as more pictures are chosen.  Be sure to sing the phrases several times. 

This activity may take the entire singing time.  You could teach the second and third verse the next 2 weeks the same way.  Be sure to sprinkle in an active song such as "Do as I'm Doing," "Fun to Do," "Popcorn Popping...," etc. help with keeping wiggles under control.

It's always a good idea to review a verse or two of a previously learned song.

Reviewing Is Fun

Primary is once a week and many of the children don't practice/sing the songs outside of primary so reviewing new songs is critical.  I want the children to know the songs so well that they hum or sing them while they are playing or working -- that's when the songs become apart of them.

Pass out the pictures that were used to teach "My Heavenly Father Love Me" to several children.  You could also use words or phrases from both verses printed on a strip of paper along with the pictures.  As you sing the song, ask the children to stand when their phrase or picture is sung.

If time permits, review "I Am a Child of God" by asking the pianist to play one phrase (preferably not in order).  Ask the children to sing that phrase from each verse.
Example: And He has sent me here
               And so my needs are great
               Rich blessings are in store
               His promises are sure

This activity helps the children think about the words and the melody.

The Blizzard

Cut out 25 or more snowflakes.  Snowflakes have 6 points.  If you cut circles, fold the circle in half then in thirds, it will be an "authentic" snowflake.  With it folded, snip a few slits on each side, then open it and you have a snowflake.  You will be an expert after you cut out 25.  You can also make square ones, as well.  Choose several songs you would like to review. 

Tell the children that you would like to create a "blizzard" on the board.  As the children sing, you will be watching for super singers, reverent singers, happy singers.  You will give several children a snowflake as they sing.  At the end of the song or verse, ask the children with snowflakes to put theirs up on the board.  By the end of singing time the board will be covered with snowflakes.

This activity keeps the children focused, reverent and singing.  It is best if you can have enough snowflakes for each child to put one on the board, however, this may not be possible if you have a large primary.

Valentine Singing Time

Children love holidays, as do I.  Valentine's Day is this week so hearts will be the theme for this week's singing time.  Cut out several hearts out of red, pink, white, purple paper.  They need to be about as big as your hand.  I will be using about 25 hearts.  On the back of some of the hearts (8 to10), write one phrase from a song that you are learning.  You could use phrases from "I Am a Child of God," "My Heavenly Father Loves Me," or any other favorite song.

On the board, tape all the hearts in the shape of one big heart.  Make sure the blank hearts are mixed in with the ones with phrases.  In the middle, place a large picture of Jesus (there are many to choose from).  Have one child pick a heart.  If it has a phrase on it, figure out which song and verse it comes from.  Sing the song/verse.  If they choose a blank heart, they need to tell how they can show love to Jesus (or family members, teachers, etc., all of which show our love for Jesus).  Continue as time permits.

My Heavenly Father Loves Me

There are several places to look for pictures on the internet.  The easiest is to draw them yourself but if you are not an artist, here are a few ideas.  There is a wonderful site, www.sugardoodle.net that has some great ideas and pictures.  

The primary song for February this year is "My Heavenly Father Loves Me."  Many children already know this song.  Both verses lend themselves to pictures.  

An activity that involves all primary children is to ask the children to draw a picture of one thing that we sing about in this song.  The following are words and phrases that are found in the song that children could draw a picture of.

song of a bird

blue sky

rain

wind

velvet rose

lilac tree

beautiful world

eyes - butterfly wings

ears – magical sound

life

mind

heart

Heavenly Father Loves me

If you would like the pictures before Primary, call several children and assign them one phrase or word.  Ask them to bring it to Primary or gather them prior to Primary.  You could also ask the children to bring pictures about the song all during February and display them in the primary room or hallway.  What a great way to visually see how our Heavenly Father loves us!

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.