Keep the Commandments

We learn from Lehi and Nephi how important it is to keep the commandments that the Lord has given us. Nephi was able to get the brass plates from Laban because he obeyed the commandment to to bring the plates back to Lehi. The Liahona only showed the directions or gave instructions when the people obeyed the commandments.  They were kept safe and felt peace.  They received blessings and so can we.

"Keep the Commandments," p. 146, tells us the very things the Nephites were told.  This song has several lines that are repeated. Repetition helps us to learn and remember.

• Sing the first two lines.
• Ask the children what two things we can have if we keep the commandments.  Safety and peace 
• Sing the two lines a couple of time with the children.
• Sing the next 2 lines.
• Ask the children what Heavenly Father will send us if we keep His commandments.  Blessings
• Sing the two lines a couple of time with the children.
• The last two lines will be easy.  Sing them then have the children sing with you.
• Sing the first verse all the way through 2 times.

*Remember to review songs that you have taught in previous weeks so the children remember them.

The Iron Rod

It's important that we all take the time to teach as many hymns as we can to these Primary children.  "The Iron Rod," # 274, is perfect for this year's study of the Book of Mormon.

Begin with the first 2 lines:

• "To Nephi, seer of olden time,"
• show a picture of Nephi
• "seer" a person that can see the future such as a prophet
• "A vision came from God"
• What is a vision?
• This hymn talks about holding to "the rod of iron" in Nephi's dream.
• "Wherein the holy word sublime"
• "Holy word" - word of God
• sublime -  beauty that can inspire great admiration or awe, wonder
• "Was shown an iron rod"
• What did the iron rod represent? The word of God
• Where can we find the word of God?  The scriptures

The chorus is easy to teach by singing one line and having the children repeat it with you a few times. (3 times is my magic number).  You can use word strips for "strong, bright and true" so the children get the correct order.

The children will love this hymn - especially the chorus!

Book of Mormon Stories

We are studying the Book of Mormon this year and what a great time to learn or review the song on page 118! 

Choose pictures for versus 3 - 8

• Alma
• Abinadi
• Ammon
• two thousand sons - army of Helaman
• Samuel the Lamanite
• Risen Christ blessing the children.

You might want to review or teach the first 2 verses and then add a verse each week.  The children will know the melody so words will be what needs work and repetition.  Showing the rhyming words in each verse can help, also.

Christmas Lullaby's

Lullaby's about the baby Jesus create a reverence this time of year.  There are several lullaby's in the Primary Songbook.  Learn /teach as many as you have time for - the children will love them.

Bring a nativity scene to help set the mood.

Little Jesus  p. 39
The Shepherd's Carol  p. 40
Once within a Lowly stable  p. 41
Away in a Manger  p. 42
Mary's Lullaby  p. 44
Who Is the Child?  p. 46
Sleep, Little Jesus  p. 47
Oh, Hush Thee, My Baby  p. 48

Decorate the Tree

'Tis the season of Christmas.  Challenge yourself to teach your primary one new Christmas song from the Primary Songbook this year.

Use a Christmas Tree (paper cutout, small artificial, or draw one on the board) to teach the new song.  I like to begin with the last phrase or line.  Sing the phrase once for the children then have them sing it 3 times.  After each time, have a child add an ornament to the tree. 

Then work on the next line from the end of the song in the same fashion, adding an ornament after each time you sing the line.  The third time, finish the song by adding the last line. This way you always review what you have learned.

Continue in the same way until all the lines/phrases are learned.  You can double triple the ornaments to get more on the tree if you would like.  This also gives more children the opportunity to place one on the tree.

Gratitude

This Sunday is a great day to sing "thankful" or "gratitude" songs.

Ask the children to think of things that they are thankful for.  Have several share one thing then sing a "thankful" song.  (Several are listed below.)

Ask the children to think of ways they can show gratitude.  You may need to share a few examples: thank Mom for fixing dinner or packing your school lunch.  Have several share one thing then sing a "thankful" song.

Continue sharing thankful and gratitude ideas then sing a song.  The hope is that the children will go home singing these songs to help remind them to be grateful.

I Am Glad for Many Things p. 151
For Health and Strength p. 21
I'm Thankful to Be Me p.11
A Song of Thanks p. 20
For Thy Bounteous Blessings p.21
I Think the World Is Glorious p. 230

See "Gratitude" in the topics of "The Children's Songbook" for more songs.

Tell Me, Dear Lord

Seeking the lord's help in all we do is so important to teach children - and we as adults need the reminder. Tell Me, Dear Lord, p. 176, is the perfect teaching tool.

List on the board or make word strips of the following:
(I like using word strips so I can use them again as needed.)

• Say
• Do
• Know and love thy will
• understand thy loving word

2nd verse:

• guided
• hear thy voice
• obey
• Know thou art near
• strength impart
• banish every fear

Explain to the children that this song is bout asking the Lord to be with us in all we do.  It is important to ask for His help each day to know what He would like us to do or say or how we can help others.

Ask the children to count or listen for the many ways we can ask for Heavenly Father's help to guide us each day as you sing through the song.

Using the word strips as prompts, have the children sing the song with you as you point to the words.

Sing the song several times.  You can mix up the words on the board and have the children put them in order.  OR, give the word strips to the children and have them bring them up as they sing them.