August Week 1: Puzzle Time!

August is a song-of-your-choice month, but the theme is: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and He is a God of miracles. Of course everyone's song choice will be different, but I figured any teaching ideas can be tweaked to meet the needs of your ward. I have the fun privilege of filling in this week for our chorister and teaching "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus". I am very excited about it! (In sitting down to come up with ways to teach this song, I thought up about 6 or 8 different and fun ways to introduce and teach the song....I will be sure to include these other ways to teach the songs in my post tomorrow.)


My plan for introducing and teaching this song will be a little different for Junior and Senior primary, but both ideas include actions (this song works wonderfully for this) and using one of my son's shape puzzles to solidify the words so the chorister won't have to worry about it in the coming weeks.

JUNIOR PRIMARY:

Introduce "helper hand" (more on this guy in a later post) and encourage the kids to use their own helper hands as we learn and sing the words to the new song.

*Remind the children of the sharing time (presented by the 1st counselor) and how we can learn all about Christ's miracles by reading the stories about Him. Where can we find those stories? Hold up the scriptures.

*Run through each line of the 1st verse, singing the words and teaching the actions for the major words. Address any vocabulary necessary at this time. (I only plan to run through the full song once as we will be singing it through a number of times during our puzzle "game".)

*Introduce the puzzle, with puzzle pieces in a bag, and explain that now we are going to use our helper hands to complete the puzzle. Ask the children if they think they will be able to figure out where the pieces belong when they pull them from the bag (this increases their enthusiasm and anticipation of the game). Explain, with a smile, that it may not be as easy as they think since they will have to complete a task with each puzzle piece. Challenge them to complete the puzzle by the end of the day. (Sidenote: I don't like issuing challenges if the time does not permit completing them, so I may decide to make a few of them freebies or already have them placed if time is running short)

* The Puzzle Game:
On the back of each piece, or on the actual puzzle, place actions or questions. When a child pulls a piece the primary must complete the direction before they can place the piece. Here are my plans for the 9 pieces:
1. Square: Use a magic crayon to continuously draw a square in the air as we sing the 1st two lines of the verse
2. Octogon: What does "scenes by the wayside" mean? (Have a picture example ready) Sing through that line.
3. Oval: Close your eyes and do the actions as you sing through the whole song
4. Trapezoid: Show a GAK picture of a miracle performed by Jesus and ask the children to describe it. Sing the last line.
5. Circle: Use a magic crayon to continuously draw a circle in the air as we sing the last two lines of the verse
6. Rectangle: Where can we read the stories of Jesus? Pick a favorite song about scriptures to sing.
7. Triangle: Freebie!!!! Sing a fun song :) (if time is running low, just make this a freebie)
8. Diamond: What does "tales of the sea" mean? (Have a picture example ready) Sing through that line.
9. Pentagon: Sing through the whole song; children only.

*Conclude by bearing testimony. Sing through the song once more if time permits

SENIOR PRIMARY:

*Ask the children to name some of the miracles Christ perfomed on earth. How do you know about these? Reiterate the importance of reading the scriptures to learn about Jesus and develop our faith and testimony in Him.

*Explain that today we are going to add to the one verse the children already know from "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus". Explain that the second verse highlights Jesus love and kindness to children.

*Sing through the verse for the kids as they hum and follow along with the actions (just listening to the words). Quickly teach the words to the children and run through each line once with the kids (just as in JP, they will have ample time to review the words throughout the rest of singing time)

*Display your puzzle (with pieces in the bag) and explain that you have brought a very difficult puzzle for them to complete. Assure the children that you have complete faith in their ability to use all their smarts and hard work to complete this challenge. (This is all done in sarcasm as a way to build interest and anticipation in the activity :)

*Explain the puzzle game: Each side of the room will take turns looking up the scripture on the back of each puzzle piece. As one side is looking up a scripture, the other side will be singing through the verse. Once the scripture is found, the children must decide which GAK picture it belongs with and be ready to match it by the end of the singing. Once the match has been made, you can talk with the children about GAK picture, thus reviewing the meaning of the words in the verse. One final component that can be added for a little fun is to invite the teacher of the child who matched the verse up to the front of the room. This teacher will lead the kids in singing and actions for the next run-through. You could even let the kids know that as a reward for completing the puzzle, you will be asking the teachers to stand and sing through the song, with actions, at the end. (A little added incentive and teacher inclusion :)

*Here are the GAK pictures and scriptures I will be using for this song:
1. Line 1: GAK 216; Mark 10:14
2. Line 2: GAK 213; John 9:1, 6-7
3. Line 2: GAK 214; Mark 4:39
4. Line 3: GAK 230; Luke 23:33-34
5. Line 3: GAK 226; John 13:5
6. Line 4: GAK 240; John 13:34

I plan to give 3 freebies to help with time management. If there is time, I will use the freebies as a chance for the kids to sing a favorite song about Jesus or the scriptures.

*Conclude by bearing testimony and sing through both verses of the song if time permits.

Week 4: Walk Like Jesus

**I just realized, after posting this yesterday, that this coming Sunday is actually the first Sunday of the month, not the 4th Sunday of July! I hope this singing time idea might be useful for future singing times in the coming months :)** I was reading through August's Ensign and came across an article entitled "Those Who Are Different" by Elder Marlin K. Jensen. I thought it was a fabulous article and was especially struck by the lyrics to "I'll Walk With You" that Elder Jensen highlighted at the end. (go to http://www.lds.org/ to read the article) I have known this song for awhile, but I hadn't made the possible connection to "Come Follow Me" until I read it. Needless to say, after I finished reading the article I couldn't stop thinking of a way to include this fabulous song into a singing time with "Come Follow Me" and the theme for this month. I also found the "Say What" game in June's Friend and thought it would be fun to include in singing time. (You can go to The Children Sing blog on the sidebar for a singing time idea with just that game.) I decided to integrate both of the above ideas into one singing time based on the theme for Week 4 : "Jesus Christ's example teaches me how to live". I have entitled this singing time "Walk Like Jesus" and came up with two different ideas for Junior and Senior, with the common prop being some fun socks (fun colors, toe socks, etc) that the kids will be matching up. Some of the songs I chose may not be familiar to the kids, so you can either introduce them or pick a corresonding song to highlight the same idea. Both of the following ideas can be tweaked or changed to match the needs and personality of your primary children. JUNIOR PRIMARY: Supplies: Mr. Potato Head, 5 pairs of fun socks, a bag to put all the socks in, paper footprints (optional), pictures of Christ's life from GAK, create a path with a picture of a child and Christ on the board (optional) Singing Time: *Begin by introducing Brother Potato Head (he should only have a nose at this point). Ask the children to identify what is wrong with him and then explain that he needs their help to add all of his body parts. *Show the children the bag of fun socks and explain that as the kids find matches they will find the body parts that Bro Potato Head needs. Explain also that as they find the different body parts they will get to talk about and sing about ways we can use different body parts to obey Jesus' request of "Come Follow Me". Explain that we can do many things to follow Jesus, or "walk" like Jesus. We can follow him through our actions. (You could even choose to sing out the word "walk" in each song, or omit the word "walk" in each song to highlight following Jesus or walking like Him) *Let different children come up and randomly draw two socks out. When a pair has been made review how the kids can follow Jesus using the body part and sing the corresponding song. You could also include a footprint in each sock pair and place that on the board between a picture of a child and Jesus so that by the end their footprints lead to Jesus. Eyes: Read the stories of Jesus so we can learn about Him and learn about the good choices he made. Sing "I Think When I Read" or "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus" Ears: Listen to our parents, leaders, and teachers so we can learn more about Jesus and His example. We can learn about the Gospel from those people around us just like Jesus learned from his parents and from God. Sing "Teach Me To Walk" Arms: Look for people to serve and use our hands to help them. We can help with chores at home, hug someone that is sad, or hold a friends hand as we invite them to come play with us so they won't feel left out. Sing "I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus" or "Come Follow Me" Mouth: You could go a couple different directions on this one. Speak kindly; Say "Thank You" to those around us and to Heavenly Father. Be happy and cheerful with a good attitude even when things are not going perfectly. Sing "Thanks To Our Father" or "Pioneer Children" Feet: Use our feet to walk and play with everyone. We can be like Jesus as we love and play with everyone, even if they are different, just as Jesus loved everyone. Sing "I'll Walk with You". (If the kids don't know it and you don't have time to teach it, you could help them learn just the beginning or just a couple key phrases and then they could listen as you sing through the rest of the song so they can hear the lyrics) *Conclude by thanking the kids for helping Bro Potato Head. Remind the kids that they can use their whole body to follow Jesus. Bear testimony. If time permits, sing through "Come Follow Me" SENIOR PRIMARY: Supplies: Music Mumbles (found in the documents on the sidebar), 5 pairs of fun socks, paper footprints (optional), pictures of Christ's life from GAK, create a path with a picture of a child and christ (optional) Singing Time: *Review Christ's request to "Come Follow Me". Explain that we can follow Jesus or "walk" like Jesus as we act, talk, and think as He did. Explain that today the children will help you match up some socks from your laundry and complete the fun puzzles inside. *Invite different children to come up and draw socks out of the bag to make a match. When a match is made pull out the paper with the music mumble and the footprint. Have the children try to figure out which song it is and then make the connection of how the song invites us to follow Jesus. Encourage them to think of specific actions the song suggests we can do to follow or "walk" like Jesus. (Optional: Once they have figured it out and sung the song they can put the footprint on the path between a picture of a child and a picture of Christ on the board.) You can make this activity a competition between teachers and children. As suggested for Junior, you could also have the kids emphasize or omit the word "walk" in the songs to further highlight the theme of following Jesus. If you choose to use songs the kids don't know you can prepare the lyrics on posterboard beforehand so they can follow along as they sing. *Music Mumbles: (You can choose any song you like, these are 5 that could work) I'll Walk With You: Eye yellow hawk whit ewe or Aisle wall Keith ewe Teach Me To Walk: Tea chimney two way kin dull loe fizz lug Pioneer Children: Pie yawn ear chill trance sank cass thee wok Tell Me the stories of Jesus: Tail meet us tore Reese off cheese us I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus: Eye um dry ink do be lie cheese us *Conclude by bearing your testimony and challenging the children to follow Jesus in all they do, say, and think. Sing "Come Follow Me"

2011 Program Outline

There are some wards/stakes that have already gotten their hands on next year's program. Since this is such an exciting announcement each year for choristers and primary presidencies, I thought I would pass the info along!

The theme for next year will be: I Know the Scriptures Are True

Here is a list of songs:

If I Listen With My Heart (find it at www.defordmusic.com/ifilistenwithmyheart.htm)
I Will Follow God's Plan (pg 164)
Stand for the Right (pg 159)
Praise to the Man, vs 1 and 3 (Hymn 27)
I Love To See the Temple
The Lord Gave me a Temple
2 Songs of your choice

Sneak Peek of August

Just wanted to let you know what I will be doing on the blog next month. Since August's song is a "choose your own" I have decided to dedicate the month to random ideas and tips. This means that I will post on a different topic every single day. I hope this helps to get all the ideas, tips, and tricks that I can think of out to you.

So....I would love you to leave a comment with any questions or tip/idea requests you may have so I can address them. I plan to include my own ideas and scour the web for any additional ones I may find. I am a big fan of borrowing, tweaking, and molding other's ideas to benefit the specific needs of your primary children.

Happy Singing!!!!

Teacher Involvement

I have had the blessing of being the Ward Primary Chorister over a ten year span in 4 different wards, and as a Stake Primary Music Leader I have visited the seven or eight ward primaries in our stake a couple different times. One of the things I have noticed in all this time is that when the teachers are involved and engaged, the children are usually better behaved because they are also involved and enagaged. As much as we would love for this teacher involvement, through attentiveness and singing, to be automatic, this is not the case in all wards or with every teacher in a ward. What can you do? Here are a few things that either worked well for me, or I have seen work well for other choristers:

• Prepare a songbook for each teacher at the beginning of the year with the words to each of the program songs for that year. This can give some teachers a litle more confidence as you teach the song to the children. This can also help the children learn the song as the teachers sing it with you while they are still being introduced to it. You can also just prepare the next month's song and work with the Secretary to place it in each class roll so the teachers are prepared. You can use this idea to your advantage in week 3 or 4 of the month by challenging the teachers to put the songbook away and sing the song from memory as the children listen...either from their chairs or as a group at the front of the primary room. The children will eat this up--they love to hear their teachers sing and "judge" them.
• Include the teachers in your games. You can have the teachers on one team and the children on another. You can have a special can with just the teachers names and then every once in awhile pick a teacher helper. You can select a teacher from the best singing class to wear a funny hat or complete a task in your singing time.
• You can have "children sing" and "teachers sing" signs that you use throughout a song or sing a song two times and let each group sing.
• You can highlight a different teacher each month as you sing their favorite song.
• You can let the teachers be the judge in different games or tasks the primary kids complete on Sunday.
• Ask the teachers to "oo" or "ahh" a melody while the kids sing the words. This way even the teachers who may not remember the words can partcipate. You can also switch the teacher's "part" with the children's "part" for a little fun.

That's all I can think of right now....what about you? What has been successful for you in this area?

Pioneer Singing Time

This Sunday will be the day after Pioneer Day so it is a great chance to switch up the songs a little and expand the children's song base....of course you can still get your July song review in too! Some of these ideas would work great as a singing/sharing time combo as well.

• The first idea comes from Sugardoodle and can found at http://sugardoodle.info/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2748&itemid=5. This idea is from 2008 so it uses the songs from the program that year. You can find comparable songs from this year's program if you want to follow the idea exactly or use the idea as a jumping off point.


• Check out http://thechildrensing.blogspot.com/; http://primarysingingtimewithmatilda.blogspot.com/; and http://thecrazychorister.blogspot.com/ for some great pioneer singing time ideas


• I have tweaked an idea in the 2010 Outline a little for this idea. It is the sharing time idea for Week 2 in July. Show the children a pair of hiking/walking boots that are something like what might have been worn by the pioneers. Discuss the pioneers briefly or find a story about a pioneer child and his/her family to introduce the theme of the day. Ask the children how they think the pioneers were faithful in following Jesus. Invite different children to walk around the room and find a pair of shoes. The primary can sing "Pioneer Children Sang As They Walked" as each child is doing so. (If it is not too crazy the primary kids could also walk along at their seats) Once a pair of shoes have been selected you could have a picture depicting events of service in Jesus' life, a picture of a modern-day service example, or a picture or object that links pioneer children and the primary children. Once discussing what was found you can sing a corresponding song. Here are some possible ideas to go with the shoes:

*Brigham Young: This is the prophet that asked the Pioneers to move west. The pioneers were faithful in following him because they knew he spoke for Heavenly Father. They wanted to obey Heavenly Father just as Jesus obeyed Him. Today we have a prophet we can follow. What are some things he has asked us to do? Sing Follow the Prophet.

*Logs or a toy cabin/doll: The Pioneers had to leave their homes and most of their belongings behind when they traveled West. They only had room for the most important things. What type of things do you think were most important? Do you think it was hard for the pioneer children to give up their belongings? How did they know that what they were doing was right? (They felt the peace and love of God through the Holy Ghost) Sing The Holy Ghost.

*GAK 235 "Go Ye Therefore": Invite the children to describe what Jesus is doing in the picture. What other things did Jesus do in His life to help and love others? (heal the blind, teach, love the children) Ask the children to look at Jesus' feet in the picture. Remind them that Jesus walked around in his sandals doing good. We can use our feet to follow his example as we walk through life and see other's needs. Sing Come Follow Me.

*Berries/Wood: Talk to the kids about some of the responsibilities of the pioneer children as they moved West. Sing Do As I'm Doing or Fun To Do using some pioneer ideas or you can teach/sing one of the pioneer songs in the songbook that describes the activities.

*Picture of Christ praying or a child praying: Talk with the children about how Jesus taught us how to pray and the importance of prayer. Remind the children of the pioneer children who prayed every day. What do you think they were praying for? Do you think they were scared? How do you think praying made them feel? Remind the children that when we pray we feel the love of God and Jesus Christ as we thank them for our blessings and ask them for help. Sing I Know That My Savior Loves Me.

*Joseph Smith: Share the story of Jesus revealing the name of the Church to Joseph Smith before he died. Discuss with the children why it was important that the name included the name of Jesus Christ. Sing The Church of Jesus Christ

Week 2 and 3: July Repitition and Motivation

It is always a good idea to correlate your singing times with the weekly themes found in the 2010 Outline for Sharing Time. Sometimes this is easier said than done, but it is a great goal to have nonetheless! The next two week's themes are:

Week 2: Jesus Christ went about doing good.
Week 3: Jesus Christ's example teaches me how to live.

Following are some ideas to encourage the kids to sing through "Come Follow Me" as many times as possible and motivate them to do it with a smile on their face and in their heart. As you notice, I have not specified exact ways to correlate the weekly theme with the singing in each idea. That's ok....that is why we also have sharing time. Plus, by singing "Come Follow Me" and reviewing the words and meanings you will naturally be following the weekly and monthly theme.

• Tabernacle Choir: This one would definitely be geared more toward the Senior Primary, but could be adapted to Junior. Pass out hymn books to the children so that there is one for at least every two kids. Remind the children that this song is a Hymn, invite them to turn to page #116 and review the origins of it found at the bottom of the page. Explain that many of the songs sung by the Tabernacle Choir are from our Hymn Book. Talk with the children about how the Tabernacle Choir sounds, looks, performs, etc. Remind the children that they are a choir and have the potential to be just as wonderful as the Tabernacle Choir. You can then sing through all the verses, or just the ones you are focusing on and have the children work on: sitting up tall, sitting and standing in unison, dynamics, holding notes out together, cutting off together, sing the song slowly with extra enunciation, sing the song a little faster (it is still a reverent song), etc.


• Treasure Hunt: This idea is set up the same as the hunt described in the last post (you don't have to number the footprints, though). Instead of words in each bag, place a picture of Jesus doing good (week 2) or ways we can follow Jesus example in our own life (week 3). In this hunt the Primary children will have to Sing "Come Follow Me" as each detective follows the colored footprints to the next bag. The detective, with your help, will move slowly or quickly depending on how well the primary sings. In some cases I have not allowed the detective to make it all the way to the next bag the first time the song is sung, but have had the Primary sing through it again because it wasn't good enough the first time. Once the detective has reached the bag/clue, reveal the picture and discuss it with the children. You can pick a corresponding song to go with each picture to break up the practice on "Come Follow Me". The treasure will be the same as in the previous post.


• Balloon/Ball Pass: Prepare balloons with scenerios the kids will have to resolve, scriptures highlighting Jesus' example or difficult words in this month's song. Give a balloon to a child on each side of the room and have them begin passing the balloon around as the Primary sings "Come Follow Me". When the piano stops, invite the two children holding a balloon to pop the balloon and complete the task as you have prepared it: solve the scenerio, read the scripture and discuss, or explain the word. If their are children who do not like to hear the balloon pop or do it themselves you can provide a pin for popping or scissors for cutting (the balloon will not "pop" with scissors, just slowly lose air). Another modification of this activity is to use a ball and invite the children to come up with ways to follow Jesus when the music stops. You can also use a beach ball and write questions, scriptures, words, or scenerios on the different sections. When the music stops the children have to read the section under their right thumb.


• Chorister Says: This activity can be used to highlight the importance of following Jesus. Invite the children to follow you as you tap different body parts for each phrase in the song. (head, shoulders, elbows, nose, etc.) After one time through the song, begin to invite other children up to lead the group or pick a teacher to come up. You can add a little to the activity by preparing items that remind us of ways to follow Jesus. Once the item is selected the kids can follow the leader as he/she acts it out throughout the song. An example of this might be a shovel to represent service and the kids could shovel while singing...the possibilites are endless on this one.


• Shape Shuffle: Write the words to the verse(s) on a posterboard. Outline each phrase or groups of words with different shapes. (You could also just write the different phrases on different shapes) Sing through the entire song and then begin picking shapes out of a bag. When a shape is taken cover that portion of the song or remove the shape. You can also assign each class or groups of classes a different shape and make them responsible for that phrase. Sing through the song with each class singing their assigned shape. This will become harder as the shapes are removed. You can also continually rotate shapes throughout the singing. You can also provide the teachers with signs designating which shape their class is.


• Pick-A-Picture Memory: Select a picture to represent each phrase in the song. You will need two of each picture as well as a wordstrip with the phrases to place on each picture. Play memory with the pictures and as each match is made, practice the corresponding phrase. You can also add in different ways to sing the particular phrase, ie. boys/girls/teachers, loud, soft, etc. You can also discuss the selected picture once a match is made to remind the children how it helps them remember how Jesus lived and how we can follow His example.

July: Come Follow Me

There are six verses to this song. This, of course, means that depending on how many verses you have chosen to teach the children, there could be quite a few weeks of simply learning the words. If this is the case, just remember that there is time for review and repitition of all verses learned in the next few months during singing time, sharing time, as an opening or closing song, or inviting the children to sing it with you as they enter the Primary room and prepare for class dismissal.

With these thoughts in mind, here are some ideas on introducing any of the verses and mastering the words:

• First and foremost is the idea presented in the 2010 Outline. The idea and footsteps suggested can be found at http://www.lds.org/.
• The following blogs also have some fabulous ideas for teaching the song, as well as flipcharts: http://camillesprimaryideas.blogspot.com/; http://primarysingingtimeideas.blogspot.com/; http://thecrazychorister.blogspot.com/
• Picture Puzzle: prepare a Gospel Art Kit picture of Christ either by cutting it up into different puzzle pieces or covering it with puzzle pieces. There are two ways to go about the learning process, depending on which puzzle method you choose. For a Christ puzzle, place the key words/pictures on the different pieces and place them in numbered bags. The children will then select the bags in order and as each phrase is learned it will go on the board to eventually complete the puzzle. The goal will then be for the children to master each phrase so they can flip each corresponding piece over and eventually reveal the picture of Jesus. For the puzzle pieces on top of the picture of Christ, you can cover the pieces with numbered pieces of paper. The children can remove the numbers in order to reveal the key words/pictures you have already written on each puzzle piece. Once the entire song has been learned, the children can again work to remove the pieces to reveal the picture underneath. It is important to discuss Christ and his importance and example throughout the learning process.
• Place a circle or square around the words that you feel need to be discussed in greater detail as you are teaching the song. As you come to these on Sunday it will help you to remember to pause and explain the meaning of those particular words to the children.
• Treasure Hunt: Before primary place different colored footsteps leading to corresponding colored bags. In each of these bags should be word strips and/or pictures for the phrases of the verse. I find it best to only have four bags corresponding with the four phrases. I also find it helpful to number the first step of each color so the children can find the phrases in order. When singing time is announced, enter the room dressed as a detective and explain to the children that you are searching for a treasure that has been left in the Primary Room. Invite one child to come up and find the #1 footstep. Explain to the Primary that they need to follow the corresponding colored footprints to the first clue. It helps to invite the children to point (no words) in the correct direction to help the clue-finder. When the clue has been found you can promote reverence by saying, "Thank you Primary Detective helpers! You many now fold your helping pointer fingers while we read the first clue." You will then pull out the first wordstrip/pictures and teach the first line to the Primary. Sing through it a few times, possibly tapping different body parts as the children follow along. Move through the four clues in a similar manner and place each "clue" on the board so the kids can sing through all the phrases they know each time a new clue is found. At the end of the singingtime ask the kids if they know what the treasure is. Explain that it is the Savior and He can be with us always if we choose the right and follow His example.
• Switcheroo: I have found this idea works best in Senior Primary. Write the entire song on the chalkboard, or use your footsteps. Sing through the entire song one time. Next, assign each row, or couple of rows, a phrase from the song. Sing through the song a number of times, switching the row assignments so that each child gets a chance to focus on each phrase. You can also add the teachers into the mix by giving them their own turn. It could also be fun to invite them to create their own row at the front of the room so all the kids can see and hear them while they sing. This can also be used as a repitition idea.