We Thanks Thee, O God, for a Prophet

The theme for primary this month, May, is "Prophets Teach Us to Live the Restored Gospel."  There is no suggested song for the month.  If you choose to learn hymn # 19, "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet," there is a great idea in the 2013 Sharing Time Outline on page 11.  (You can access the outline on the Church website.)  Using the colored paper helps the non-readers as well as the rest of us.  We learned this hymn for the 2008 Sacrament Meeting Program, so hopefully a few of the older classes will remember it or at least pick it up quickly.

Remember to review songs learned in previous months by singing them for opening or closing songs in primary.

Blossom Tree

This is a great "Spring" choosing time.  Cut out several flowers - all different colors.  Draw a large tree on the board (you can cut one out of brown paper if you choose).  In a basket, place all the flowers with songs on the back.  On some of the flowers put a question mark.  Have children choose a blossom to put on the tree.  If it has a song on it, sing it.  If it has a question mark, ask them to tell what Heavenly Father blesses us with, particularly in the Spring.  You can also have some blossoms to give to reverent children to place on the tree.  Try to cover the tree with flowers by the end of singing time.

Mother, Tell Me a Story

"Mother, Tell Me a Story," p. 204, is perfect in adding a variety if you are planning a little Mother's Day program.  Teaching children this song can be quite easy by using your hands and arms as you sing.  Every time you sing "love," put both hands over your heart.

• Mother, tell me a story - act like you are holding a book with your hands
• that I love (hands over your heart) to hear - point to ear
• Tell me of heaven - point up
• and why I came here - both hands point to the children
• Mother, tell how you love me - hands over your heart then point to yourself
• and gently speak - put one finger to your lips as if to say "shhhhhh"
• and then I will go to sleep - put both hands to the side of your face as if a pillow and shut your eyes

Ask all the female teachers to learn the "Mother" part or ask a soloist to sing the second part with the children.  I have the children sing first by themselves then sing it again with the second part (Mother part).  A flutist  or violinist could also play the second part as the children sing.

I Often Go Walking

Mother's Day is a month away.  If you need to teach or review some Mother's day songs, now is the time.  One of my favorites is "I Often Go Walking" on p.202.  I have several "prompts" for phrases that help the children.
First verse:
  1st line - cut-out of a green clover 
  2nd line - several stems of artificial or paper blue flowers
  3rd line - act like you are picking flowers
  4th line - point to flowers and then point to the children

Second verse:
  1st line - cut out a few hearts with love written on them and put them on a stick to look like a flower
  2nd line - a bottle of perfume or smell a flower
  3rd line - use a picture of a field of flowers
  4th line - show a picture of a mother

The first verse is beautiful but the second verse tells about the heart and soul of loving a mother.  There is also a post on this same song last year.  You may choose to use those ideas, as well.

Easter Pageant

This is a great "Easter Pageant!" If you sing all 4 verses of "I Am a Child of God" it will take about 15 minutes. I like to use pictures for each song and tell a little about Easter celebration. With the narration, it will take longer.

I Am a Child of God p. 2     picture of Christ with little children
He Sent His Son p. 34    picture of baby Jesus
Did Jesus Really Live Again p. 64    picture of the resurrected Christ
Easter Hosanna p. 68     picture of Samuel prophesying on the wall
Hosanna p. 66     picture of Christ visiting the Americas
My Heavenly Father Loves Me p. 228     picture of nature
If the Savior Stood Beside Me     picture showing kindness
I Will Be Valiant p. 162     picture of missionaries

Easter Egg Choosing Time

One of my favorites -- and probably the children's, too, is the "Easter Egg" singing time.  You will need several (12 -24) plastic Easter eggs that open.  On slips of paper, write the titles of songs that you would like to sing/review.  My list is:

My Heavenly Father Loves Me p. 228

I Am a Child of God p. 2

Did Jesus Really Live Again p. 64

I Will Be Valiant p. 162

Fun to Do p. 253

If the Savior Stood Beside Me 

Hosanna p. 66

Easter Hosanna p. 68

He Sent His Son  p. 34

On a few other slips of paper, write a few questions about Easter.

Why do we celebrate Easter?

How was Jesus crucified?

What was placed on Jesus' head?

Where did Jesus pray before he was crucified?

Where did they put Jesus' body?

What happened in 3 days?

Who did Jesus see first after He was resurrected?

Who did he visit after His resurrection? 

Use only enough songs and questions that you will have time for in singing time.  Place slips of paper in each egg.  You can hide them in the primary room or I prefer to have them in a basket and choose children to open the eggs. 

Eastertime

Easter is 4 weeks away (counting this week).  There are several Easter songs listed in the index of the Children's Songbook.  I like to add a few "springtime" songs as well.  "Heavenly Father Loves Me," p. 228  fits into this genre so you could review it with the children so they keep it up for the Sacrament Meeting Program. 

This year our primary will have an "Easter Pageant" during singing time.  It isn't a "big" program, just a little different from what we usually do during that time.  I will be reviewing the Easter songs and springtime songs with the children - two or three songs a week.  We will also continue learning the rest of "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" this month.

As you review or learn the Easter songs, ask questions about this event that are answered in the songs.  Questions for "Did Jesus Really Live Again" could be:
What day was Jesus risen?  "Yes, when the third day came."
Who did He see first?   Mary
What did He eat?   Fish and honeycomb
What was in His hands?   nail prints
What was in His side?   spear wound
Is Jesus the only one who will be resurrected?  No, "and so shall I."