Make Room for Him

"Make Room for Him" is a beautiful song in this month's Friend, p. 30.  It tells of Christ's birth and how we can appreciate it today.  This would be a great week to teach it to the primary.

If you can use the sing-a-long video in primary, the children will enjoy seeing/hearing it and it brings in a variety to your singing time.  You can view it on children.lds.org then click on "Music."

Joy to the World

One of my favorite carols is "Joy to the World."  Teaching children  this carol is quite simple because of the repetition.

• Read the first phrase and tell them about how the angels must have sung with great joy and enthusiasm as they announced the birth of Jesus.
• Ask the children to sing like the angels must have sung.
• "Let earth receive their king!" What a great gift that was then and now.
• Again, sing like the angels must have sung.
• The next phrase talks about letting Christ into our lives/hearts
• Sing like the angels must have sung.
• Begin singing the next line soft.  
• As you repeat this line get louder until the last line you are singing quite loud with enthusiasm.

Teach the next verses in a similar fashion - explaining the meaning of each phrase and singing as the angels would have sung.

Silent Night

Children aren't learning Christmas carols in school as much nowadays.  The definition of a carol is a song that talks about anything that has to do with the birth of Christ - the kings, shepherds, animals, star, Mary, Joseph, angels, manger, etc.

Try teaching them "Silent Night" hymn # 204.  Some children will know it and enjoy singing it.  This lends itself to pictures of the manger scene.  Explain the words and phrases such as:

• all is bright and calm around Mary and Jesus
• sleep quietly

Often times children may have heard the song many times but because we don't always enunciate well or the words may be "old fashioned," they do't know what they are saying, but rather mimic what they think they have heard.

Take time to pronounce the words correctly and explain their meaning.

"Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus"

There is never enough time to sing Christmas songs, so dive in!

"Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus," p. 36 is a great song to begin with.  The original name was "Christmas in Zarahemla." (see p. 36, footnotes)

This song begins in the minor key and tells the story of Samuel prophesy of Christ's birth.  The children may want to help tell the story.

Sing the first verse a few times with the children then sing or read the words to the second verse.  Sing the second verse a few times.

The chorus is joyous and the major key enhances the message of joy.  Sing it for the children then have them sing it with you.  Sing the entire song a few times.

You can also point out the rhyming words throughout the song.

Thankful Songs

Adding different lyrics to familiar tunes gives new life to the song.  It also makes you think about the words and/or the message a little more.  A Happy Family and When We're Helping, p. 198, can both be used as "thankful" songs with a few word changes.

I thank Mother; she thanks me.
We thank daddy, yes sirree;
He thanks us, and so you see,
We are a thankful family.

You can change to grandpa, grandma, teacher, friends, sister, brother, bishop, neighbor, uncle, etc.  The children may have some more to add.

When we're thankful, we're happy,
And we sing as we go;
And we like to thank mother,
For we all love her so.

Use the words above to substitute for "mother."

No Time to Prepare Singing Time

No time to put together something for singing time?  We've all been there.

November is a gratitude month.  Sing "I Am Glad for Many Things," p. 151.

• How many syllables are in "many things?"  (3)
• Let's think of some foods that we are thankful for that will fit in place of "many things."  (red apples, bananas, pears & grapes)
• How about favorite foods.  (hamburgers, pizza pie, Mac & cheese)
• Desserts.  (apple pie, choc'late cake, ice cream cone)
• Clothes.  (winter coat, fluffy hat, fuzzy gloves, hiking shoes)
• People.  (Mom & Dad, Gramps & Grams, uncles - aunts)
• Thinks to do.  (bicycling, playing games, racking leaves)

The list can go on and on but the key is to only use 3 syllables.  Sometimes you need to force an extra syllable.

You can also use "Fun to Do," p. 253, and come up with ways to serve others.

• Sharing my toys is fun to do . . .
• Racking up leaves is fun to do . . .
• Sharing my lunch is fun to do . . .
• Helping Mom clean is fun to do . . .
• Gardening with Gramps is fun to do . . . 
• Baking some bread is fun to do . . .
• Playing with friends is fun to do . . .
• Mowing the lawn is fun to do . . .
• Shoveling snow is fun to do . . .
• Mopping the floor is fun to do . . .

These are both fun activities for the children and take very little effort on your part.  They are fun, but also help teach thankfulness and service.

Fall Fun

Choose some favorite songs including a few "Autumn" songs.  You can use "Rain Is Falling..." p. 241, and change the word "rain" to "leaves."  The children will love it.  You could also use p. 246 and 247 along with your favorites.

Cut a large pumpkin shape out of orange paper.  With black paper, cut two eyes, a nose, a mouth, eyebrows, cheeks, maybe ears and curly eyelashes.  You could also cut out a green stem, a vine and a few colored leaves.

Lay all the parts to use on the pumpkin on the table so the children can see them and choose what they want to use to decorate.  Every time you sing a song or a verse, let one or two children put something on the pumpkin.  Be sure to watch your time so the pumpkin gets fully decorated.