Articles of Faith Review

This is a great time to review the Articles of Faith!
Build a Snowman!

• cut 3 circles out of white paper - 1 large, 1 medium and 1 small
• cut 1 black hat or be creative and cut out a colorful stocking cap
• 3 buttons - black or use colored paper
• 2 brown sticks for the arms - brown paper
• 2 eyes - black
• 1 nose - orange carrot or black button
• 1 mouth - cut out to look like black rocks or coal

You can put a number on the back of each cut-out and sing the Article of Faith as each piece is placed on the board.

OR

Sing the Articles of Faith in order and build the snowman one piece at a time as you sing each Article of Faith.

Christmas Singing Time

There are so many things that you can do this Sunday before Christmas:

• Decorate a cutout Christmas tree with every song you sing
• put berries on a paper wreath with each song you sing
• act out a nativity through song
• wrap several boxes in Christmas wrap with a title of a song in it and let a child or class unwrap it then sing the song

One idea that has been fun is to cut out a large Candy Cane out of white butcher paper (at least 3 feet tall).  Cut several red strips for the candy cane stripes.  Put a song title on the back and have the children add the stripes to the cane after each song.  Se how many stripes you can get on the cane.

Happy Holidays !

Christmas Gift Chain

Choose several Christmas songs from the Primary Songbook and print the titles on strips of red, green and white paper.  (Choose at least 5 or 6 songs.)  Then make at least 20 to 40 more strips in those colors and leave them blank.

Tell the children the Jesus gave us the greatest gift when he was born.  What gift can we give to Him in return?  Ask the children to think of something they can do that would make Jesus happy.  Suggestions might include: help Mom, be kind to a neighbor, sister or brother, write a note to Grandma or Grandpa, rack leaves or shovel snow, etc.

Tell the children that they can each pick a strip of paper.  If a song is written on it, they will sing the song.  If it is blank, they must tell one thing that they can do to show their love for Jesus.  Have tape easily available to tape the links together.  See how long the chain will be by the end of singing time.

The Shepherd's Carol

This song is written in D minor - a little different than most Christmas carols.  The children love this song because it is different and when they know it well, they enjoy singing it as a round.

First line

• Show a picture of Mary and sing the first phrase.  Have the children sing it with you a few times.
• Show a picture of Joseph and sing the second phrase.  Again, have the children sing it with you a few times.
• Sing both phrases together.

Second line

• Show a picture of Jesus and sing the first 4 notes.  Tell the children that the notes begin high and come down.  Sing it a few times with the children.
• Show a picture of a crown and sing the second half of the first phrase.  Sing it a few times with the children.
• Sing the first phrase together.
• Point to the baby Jesus and sing the last part of the second line.  Sing it a few times with the children.
• Sing the whole song together pointing to the pictures as you sing.

Second verse

• Point to all the children and sing the first phrase.  Sing it a few times with the children.
• Bring a present wrapped with the word "love" printed on it.  Sing the second half of the line.  Sing it a few times with the children.
• Tell the children that the last line is the same as the first verse.  Sing it a few times with the children while you point to the corresponding pictures.

Sing the whole song.  

I Am Thankful

This is a fun activity to help children to recognize the many things they can be thankful for.

You will need:

•  a stapler (the smaller the better) or tape
• 1 inch strips of paper (8 inches long)  fall colors
• choose several songs of gratitude and favorite songs

The goal is to make a "Thankful Chain" as long as possible.  Depending on how large your primary is will depend on how many children you choose in between songs.

Begin by telling one thing you are thankful for.  Make the first link.  Ask each member of the presidency to tell one thing they are thankful for and add a link for each one.  Sing a "thankful" song.  Now ask a few children to tell one thing they are thankful for.  Have each of them add a link to the chain.  (Younger children may need help, so enlist the help of another adult to help them so you can keep the activity going.)  Sing another song and then ask a few more children to share one thing they are thankful for.  Continue until you are out of time.  Try to give all the children an opportunity to share and add a link.

*This is similar to a previous post on gratitude.  Check out other posts on this subject.

I Am Glad for Many Things

One of my favorite thankful song is "I Am Glad for Many Things," p. 151  I have spent the entire singing time on this song.  Children come up with something that they are thankful for and we substitute it in place of "many things."  (You may need to change more words in the song to make sense.) Keep track of what the children are thankful for by writing it on the board.  See how many things they can be thankful for without repeating anything.  Use the last verse to finish.

Example:
I am glad for my Savior, my Savior, my Savior.
I am glad for my Savior who is mine today.

I am glad for sunshine bright, etc.

I am glad for my fam'ly, etc.

I am glad for forests green, etc.

I am glad for oceans blue, etc.

I Am Thankful to Be Me

It is always good to pause from our busy lives and think of the many blessings we have.  It is important to help children take a moment to feel grateful, as well.  "I Am Thankful to Be Me," p. 11, is the perfect song to help children recognize their blessings.

Ask the children to listen to the words and see if they can find things in the song to be thankful for.  Recite or sing the song as the pianist plays it through.

• Sing the first line.  Ask what might be happening.  (getting ready to pray)  
• Sing the second phrase and ask where blessings come from.
• Have the children sing both phrases with you 2 or 3 times.
• The third phrase suggests some specific things to be thankful for.
• Sing the third phrase with the children.
• Ask them what specific things can we be thankful for. (They may have other ideas, but point out what the song lists.)
• Sing the last phrase and have the children sing it with you 2 times.
• Ask why it's important toe be thankful to be who you are.
• Sing the whole song.