Teaching: Treasure Hunt

Here is the map I referred to in one of the learning/teaching ideas listed in the previous post.

I like to use this treasure map for both learning and reviewing in Primary. I can't claim responsibility for the idea, as I got it from another chorister years ago. Basically this is a map of my Primary room that I have labeled with different Gospel, LDS or Book of Mormon terms. Here is the key:

• Chairs: Waters of Mormon


• Aisle: Bridge of Friendship


• Podium: Mount Reverence


• Window: Light of Faith


• Talk/Scripture Chairs: Hills of Truth


• Table up front (or the chairs where the presidency sit): Island of Love


• Piano: Songbird Tree


• Extra Chairs on side of room: no name, just made it look like a forest


• Cabinet in back: Bishop's Storehouse


• Back Door: Volcano of No Return (this one is completely made up)


• Chairs where guests/parents sit when they visit: Watch Tower

I try to make one map per class and then they can share. The first time the kids see this map, I do not tell them that it is our primary room. Instead I just tell them that it is a map to the "treasures" they are seeking. It is fun to challenge them to figure it out and they feel so good when they do! I like to laminate it and then use the number stickers you see to depict where the "treasures" are. This way, I can take the stickers off and put them in new places for the next time I use the map.

The "treasures" I use are usually words/pictures that can be hidden pretty much anywhere in the room. This works great for teaching a song, but you can also use it as a motivator or tool for repeating since you could hide puzzle pieces or letters to spell out a special word, etc.

I don't really use this map too often so that it becomes a special treat for the kids. I have had great success with it!

February: I Will Follow God's Plan

February's theme is: The Scriptures Teach of Heavenly Father's Plan. I couldn't help but think of the regional training we just had in our area when I was reading through the month's sharing time and song. (There will be a post on this, as well as the training notes, in the next day or two).

This month's song goes perfectly with this theme. I found two scriptures that can be used as you teach and discuss this song with the kids.

1. Mosiah 2:41 "I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God...and if they hold out faithful to the end they are recieved into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of neverending happiness."
2. Abraham 3:25 "And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them"

Here are some ideas that I have come up with and others that I have found on Sugardoodle and in the Children's Songbook Companion (great book to get if you don't have).

• Introduction (from Companion) "Prepare a beautifully wrapped package in which you have placed a paper with the words MY LIFE written on it. Show the children the gift and say, "Inside this box is a most precious gift. All the money in the whole world can't buy it, yet we each have one. Listen as I sing, and discover what this precious gift is." Sing through the song and ask the children to guess. Open the gift to discover if they are correct. Explain that our lives are precious gifts from Heavenly Father.
• Gifts: Place corresponding objects in different gift boxes to be opened as you introduce each new phrase. These can be used as you practice the song the first week. You can also take a picture of a child holding each object to use as memory cues for the following weeks of practice as the children work on memorizing the words. This allows you to leave the objects at home once you have introduced them and the children will love seeing themselves and the objects in the pictures.
• Map it out: Create a treasure map that lists places in the room where "treasures" are hidden. (I am trying to get a sample map added to my files...) These treasures can be pictures/words/objects to correspond with different phrases in the song. This map can be likened to the scriptures and the map and instructions they provide us as we learn about Heavenly Father's plan and find our way back to Him.
• Thinking and Understanding: Write the words MY LIFE on one side of the chalkboard and I WILL on the other side. Have pictures or key words corresponding to the phrases in the song prepared either randomly in each column or around the room. Sing each phrase once for the children and invite them to find the correct key word(s)/picture and place it in the correct column and order on the board. have the children repeat each phrase after it has been added to its column.
• Question and Answer: You can have the same columns listed above for the activity or just aks teh questions and let the children answer. have questions prepared for each phrase of the song. Ask the children to listen as you sing the song and then try to give you the correct response. Example: What is my life? Where did my life begin? What will I seek?
• Detective/Reporter: Enter the room dressed as a detective or reporter adn play the part of someone who is looking for clues or trying to complete an informative article. You can bring dress up clothes for other kids/teachers to help. You could also give each class a "special mission" with a question in an envelope. Invite the classes to figure out their answers by listening to you sing the song. Once they have the answer, they can be in charge of learning and singing that line in the song. Once all classes have sung their line, you have them switch. You continue switching until all classes have had a turn to sing each line. There are a myrid of ways to take this idea....have fun with it and kids will join in and learn the song!
• What Is Missing? (Friend, Feb 2011): There is a great idea in this month's friend for teaching and repeating. It suggests to either use a tray with objects/words or a poster with pictures/words to play "What is Missing?" Teach the song by pointing out the objects/pictures/words one at a time. (take about 10 min) (You could even start with a blank poster or tray and bring out each item as it is introduced in the song) Repeat the song several times with the kids and then have one child leave the room. Invite another child to remove one object and then have the dismissed child return. Sing through the entire song, or just sing until the child figures out what is missing. You can play this for the rest of your "singing time". Remember that you don't have to spend a lot of time on the words when introducing them, because the kids will get plenty of practice when they play the game (about 10 min) For younger children it is best to maybe do this game in two parts...learn half the song one Sunday and the last half the next Sunday. You can also use less objects to make it a little easier. I think it could also be fun for the older kids to have the teachers leave the room and the kids try to "trick" them. This is a great way to involve the teachers and help them learn the words in a fun way too!

I have some more ideas that will work best for motivation, review, and repitition so I will add them in the coming weeks. Hopefully this gets you going!

Happy Singing!!!

Teach and Repeat: Eat and Sing

I know most choristers are part of the yahoo group, but just in case you are not I wanted to share this fabulous idea I recently saw submitted. It goes along with the idea of setting a table as you reveiw the songs. This chorister came up with some great rhymes to go with each piece:

Fork: Stick a fork in it, give a little prick, and sing with some staccato kick: Sing vs. ____. (It can help, especially the little ones, to have them pound their fist on their hands as they sing each words staccato. This helps them to understand the method)

Spoon: Serve it up nice and smooth, legato is the way to move. Sing vs. ____. (You can have a scarf to demonstrate what it means to sing smooth. Just wave it around. You can also let them use their imaginary scarves as they sing legato. I would only encourage them to do this if they have mastered the words since it can be a distraction.)

Knife: Take a knife and slice the group in two. Sing out strong when I point to you. Sing vs. ___. (You can split the group down the middle, do boys/girls, or teachers/kids.)

Glass: Raise your glass, get ready to gulp it down. Take a deep breath, then sing till there's no more sound. Sing vs. ___.

Napkin: When the napkin covers my mouth, no singing we will hear. When the napkin's down, we'll all sing nice and clear. Sing vs. ____.

Plate: Let's fill our plates and have a big meal. Let's sing all 3 verses with some zeal.

You could then conclude with your "feast" of the scriptures and your testimony.
**********************************************************************************
I did think of two ways to tweak this idea for learning verse 3 or just reviewing.

To learn verse 3: For SP I would have all the words, or the key words written on the board or a posterboard. Sing through the song once for the kids, displaying sign language where appropriate. Invite the kids to sing and sign with you as you sing it again. You could then start erasing or covering major words and challenge the kids to memorize quickly. You could do this a couple times, eliminating as many words as possible.

For JP, I would run through the 3 phrases of vs. 3 with sign language by singing it first and then having them sing it back. This would be a quick learning experience, but the goal would be to just get the words going in their heads since the game would allow them to sing the words over and over for more mastery.

After this quick learning session (about 5-7 min), I would use the remaining time to play the review game listed above. I would probably already have the plate on the table along with one or two other items since there will only be 10-12 min. left of singing time. I would also make most of the practice verses vs. 3 since this is what they just learned.

To conclude, I would have the scriptures wrapped in a box (like a gift), and then challenge the kids to sing all 3 verses their very best. You can unwrap it as they sing (based on their singing) or after they are done. Bear testimony at the end.

Review: I think it would be fun to add in a few extra songs for the kids if they have already learned all 3 verses. They are probably ready to sing something else if they have been working on this song all month. To add the songs I would just include some play food in the box/bag that all the pieces are in. I would make sure that this food is something that would be considered a side dish. If a child chooses a piece of food, they can sing a fun song that is relevant to the scriptures. This would definitely add to the time it takes to complete this game so I would only include a couple songs, and maybe already have one or two items on the table.

To conclude I would use the same method as I just described above.

Here are some songs to use for the "side dishes": Scripture Power (stand/sit), Book of Mormon Stories (actions, stop/go), Follow the Prophet (use a slinky or balloon to gauge their singing), or even Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam (we learn how to be a good example, aka "a sunbeam", when we read the scriptures).

Happy Singing!!!

Choose and Review: More Scripture Themes

There is a 5th Sunday this month and that probably means different things in different wards. I know in the past, some wards have given the entire sharing time block to the chorister. Other primaries just keep the same schedule. Either way, I feel it is important to follow the guideline given in the 2011 Sharing Time Outline. Under "Instructions of Sharing Time" it advises:

"When there is a fifth Sunday, use this time to review previous lessons. The Spirit can guide you as you plan and prepare activities for lessons."

If a chorister is given the entire 35 minute block, it is probably best to create something similar to an integrated singing and sharing time that focuses on the monthly sharing time theme. It is still completely possible to practice and/or learn whatever songs you wish in this format.

Here are some ideas to use this month, whether you are given the entire 35 minutes or the normal 20 minutes:

1. Feast on the Words: There are a ton of things you can do with this idea. You could have the kids pick different place settings with each piece representing a different song, a different verse, different ways to sing a verse/phrase, or new phrases to learn. This idea can work really well with the 3rd verse as it describes different functions of the Holy Ghost. I have seen a few different choristers on other sites suggest concluding this integrated singing/sharing time with the scriptures as the main course. However you may choose to execute this idea, it lends itself nicely to discussions in between the songs/phrases/verses of the words or principles sung by the kids.


2. "The Bread of Life": I haven't really fleshed out this whole idea, but just come up with the general concept. The idea is to take a bread recipe and have different songs represented through the different ingredients. You could have each ingredient represent a different scripture story of Jesus, with a corresponding song. You could get really detailed and find a way to incorporate different numbers in scripture stories with the measurement of each ingredient in the recipe. An example would be for 1/2 c. you could use the story of Noah and the Ark since they took 2 of every animal. The conclusion and wrap-up of this integrated singing/sharing time would be calling the kids attention to the verse in the scriptures where Jesus explains that He is the bread of life and helping the children understand what this means. This principle goes great with the New Testament study of most kids in the SP.


3. Tell Me the Stories of Jesus: In this activity you would need to display/hide representations of different stories in the New Testament. This could be GAK pictures, objects, letters, etc. As each is chosen you can go directly to the scriptures to read key verses or just discuss the story with the children. Have a corresponding song to sing after each story is discussed. You can also have fun things to do during each song to keep the kids busy and moving if necessary. Conclude this activity by reminding the children that when we feast on the words of Christ we learn more about Him, develop a testimony of Him, and learn what we can do to choose the right in our lives.


4. Matching: This is just a matching game that can be done a couple different ways. You can match the GAK picture to the scripture reference, or match the exact same GAK pictures. Either way have a corresponding song to sing when a match is made and have some fun things for the kids to do as they sing some of the songs. Remember that if you want to include scriptures for the JP without asking them to look up references, have the key phrase of the desired scripture written on the paper and read it for the kids. You can also just read the verse or important phrase when the match is made. It is always great for the JP to hear the scritpures read and understand where the principles are actually coming from. For SP, you can add a little difficulty by asking them to guess which song their match goes with. To decide on the scritpures for JP and SP, try looking at the references at the bottom of each song in the Children's songbook.

Hope these ideas can help get the creative juices flowing for your planning!

Happy Singing!!

2011 Challenge: Inviting the Spirit

**This particular post is the first in a monthly series intended specifically for the choristers in my stake. It is quite a lengthy post that I appreciate these choristers reading, and welcome anyone who would like to, to do as well**

This year I have challenged all the choristers in the stake to make an extra effort to invite and acknowledge the Spirit in Primary each Sunday. Each month I will be posting one thought on this topic.

Before I offer my thoughts and ideas, I would like to backtrack just a little to the 2011 Challenge itself. I started thinking about this challenge about 2 months ago when I began to compile the 2011 notebook I provided each chorister. I felt impressed to issue the challenge, but it wasn't until last week that this impression made complete sense. In a Stake Primary presidency meeting, our handbook-thought centered around the new themes and purposes of Primary. Although I do not have the exact wording from the previous handbook, the sister giving the thought pointed out that the Church had condensed the purposes from 6 to 4, and that they had also made them much more concise. For those that have not looked at these new purposes they are "to help the children":

1. Feel Heavenly Father's love for them.
2. Learn and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ
3. Feel and recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost.
4. Prepare to make and keep sacred covenants.

It was during this handbook-thought that I completely understood the reason I had felt impressed to issue the challenge. Purpose #3: to help the children to "feel and recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost", was not present in the last handbook. It is obvious to me, through this new handbook and the impressions I have recieved, that the ability of these precious children to feel and recognize the Holy Ghost in their lives is of vital importance to their success in overcoming all the obstacles they face and will continue to face in life.

I know I am biased, but I really do think that choristers have the unique opportunity to provide the children with the chance to feel the Spirit each and every Sunday....regardless of the songs they are singing. I feel this way because of the strong testimony I have of the power of uplifting music. As I have expressed to a few of the choristers, even if "sharing time" is a bit chaotic or the children are not fully engaged in the lesson and fail to recognize the feeling of the Spirit in the presidency's lesson, they are almost certain to feel it at some point during "singing time". This is a great opportunity and responsibility for choristers. I pray that we can take full advantage of the opportunity and rise to the responsibility given us by the Lord.

Now to January's thought: Creating an environment that encourages reverence and invites the Spirit.

The Spirit speaks in quiet ways to each individual. Even if the Spirit is present in primary, the children will not be able to feel His presence in excessive chaos, excitement, and volume. I am reminded of a scripture in D & C that admonishes the Saints to "cast away...your excess of laughter far from you". Obviously the key to this verse is the warning of excess. There is a time for excitement, laughter, fun, and other similar expressions and feelings in primary. I think the important thing to remember is that everything we do must encourage a reverent atmostphere. By reverence, I am referring to the expression in thought, word, and action of respect and love for Heavenly Father. The children can be respectful while they are having fun. The key, I believe, is to lead the children away from the excess.

I saw two fabulous examples of this principle exhibited in the ward I visited last week. The first occurred when the counselor was presenting the sharing time lesson. In the process of the activity, she asked the children if they wanted to help their friend and there was an immediate response from the children. This was a large Senior primary, and unfortunately some of the older children began to yell out "no" while standing and gesturing with their hands. This outburst caused a similar reaction in the younger children present and it quickly became very loud. The counselor was quick to remind the children that they were in Heavenly Father's house and should remember to act accordingly (there had obviously been a previous lesson related to this). This simple reminder was all the children needed to sit back down and calm themselves. The reverence (respect and love for Heavenly Father) immediately returned and the children were able to continue to participate in this fun lesson/activity.

The second example came during singing time and also occurred in Senior Primary. The chorister was allowing the chosen child to select something for the children to do when a particular word was sung in the song they were learning. The boy quickly chose "jump up and down". The chorister simply suggested that the action should be something that could be completed reverently. The child chose from some suggestions given by the chorister, and the game and singing continued.

I know that it is possible to encourage reverence in primary while the children are singing and participating in activities. I think it is important for choristers to be one of the leaders in this endeavor, as it is the choristers who are involved in sharing time and in front of the children every single week. Here are a few practical ideas I have seen implemented:

• Have the children whisper "hey" or "hel-lo" at the end of the "Hello Song". You could also have them use the sign language for "hello" at the end of the song. It seems this one song can be a source of excess at times in primary.
• Have the children use their hands to acknowledge the "-beam" in "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam" instead of jumping up.
• Refrain from any jumping or hopping activities. Standing and sitting, when controlled, works just fine, and can be a lot of fun.
• Avoid competitions that pit the children against one another. I have found it best to give the children a challenge or goal they can work toward together so they are supporting and loving one another. I have set the children against the teachers and have had both good and bad experiences with it so it is always an activity I am cautious to initiate. I always make sure to use lots of reminders of reverence during competitions.
• Encourage the children to display their excitement using the sign language for clapping or whispering "yeah". Discourage children from "booing" or cheering.
• Instead of asking open-ended questions, ask the children to "place your hand on your ____" if they know the answer to your question. This works particularly well in Junior Primary.
• Remind, remind, remind. Remember that the children are still learning and expect that there will be times they will need to have a quick, mini-lesson on the importance of reverence. Obviously we cannot expect perfection in this category, but we can always strive for it.

Primary is, and should be, a place the children enjoy coming to. It should also be a place they can expect to feel the Spirit. I know that choristers can play a vital role in this endeavor through all the singing and activities we partipate in with the children. Fun and games are great, as long as it does not result in excess and detract from the overall goal of displaying respect and love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Choristers are not called to entertain the children (though at times I know it can feel like we have to in order to keep their attention and focus). We are called to fulfill the purposes of Primary outlined in the handbook. Rely on the inspiration you are entitled to in this calling as you prepare your singing times and songs each week. I know that through prayerful preparation and attentiveness to the Spirit we feel, the children can begin to feel and recognize the Spirit in their lives.

Please know that I feel that each and every chorister in our stake is doing an amazing job. I love learning from you as I visit your wards and talk with you....you are inspiring women! Thank you for your time and continued efforts on behalf of the children in your ward. I know you will be blessed for your willingness to serve in this calling.

I would love to hear your thoughts, feelings, or experiences on this topic if you are interested in sharing....:)

Repeat: Feasting on the Words

I had the privilege of visiting a ward in our stake yesterday and was really enjoyed the singing time. This particular chorister did a fabulous job of integrating the monthly scripture of "feast on the words of Christ". Here is a recap:

Introduction: Discuss with/remind the children what the word "feast" means. Liken feasting on food to feasting on the scriptures and the benefit each can be to our bodies and spirits, respectively.

The next step can be done in a couple different ways:

• Display a prepared visual with the word "FEAST" at the top and a variety of clip art food below. At the bottom of this you can attach the key phrase of January's scripture. (This chorister used a page from her children's file folder game, but you can easily find clip art online)


• Present a shopping cart or basket full of play food for the children to choose from.


• You could also do this activity with a place setting of silverware, cup, bowl, plate, etc.

Activity:

• Invite different children to come up and pick a piece of food. Write different ways to sing the song on/under each piece. Some ideas: staccato, legato, talking (like a parrot), loud (like an auctioneer), soft (like a spy), stand on the words "hear" or "listen", leave out the words "hear" or "listen", etc. Obviously this is where you can customize the plan to best fit the needs, abilities, and preferences of your primary.

Closing:

• Bear testimony of the importance of feasting on the words of Christ.

This is a great activity to use as a review of verses learned in previous weeks or you can quickly teach a new verse the first 10 minutes (fastest way to do this is usually with sign language/actions) and then play the game the last 10 minutes.

If you are introducing a new verse before playing this game, remember that it is ok to go fairly quickly through each line because the kids will get the chance to hear and sing the words at least 3 or 4 more times during the activity. Sometimes I think this method of teaching can be helpful, especially in a large junior primary, because it keeps the kids' interest and allows them to hear and practice the words numerous times. I know it worked like a charm for the primary I was visiting (both in JP and SP), and they have a good 60-80 kids in each group.

Happy Singing!!!

"If I Listen With My Heart"

Here are some ideas for teaching and reviewing the song this month:

1. Sign Language/actions for key words: I think this song lends itself very nicely for this. If you have been doing sign language/actions previously, there should be some words the kids already know. You can also let the kids come up with actions.
2. Let the children draw their own picture map of the verses. All you have to do is create a large posterboard with 8 squares. In each square put a picture that represents a phrase. On Sunday pass out blank pieces of paper for the kids and as you go through each line have them copy your drawings (keep them very simple). It is best to only give them one crayon for the entire sheet. By the end of the song they will have their own "sheet music/lyrics" for the song to follow along with as they sing. As the month progresses you can have them cover certain pictures, fold the paper, or give you the paper to show how well they have the words memorized.
3. Color a large, prepared heart as you learn the song or review it. Draw lines inside the heart so the kids know where to color as the Primary sings. This works as a great motivator for Junior Primary.
4. Build a heart as the kids learn the phrases. Each piece could have a key word or picture on it or you could just use this as a motivator to build a heart through their fabulous singing and memory.
5. Storybook: Create a book of pictures and tell the song to the kids as you would a story. You could actually let each class build a page for the book. The kids really like this as they are fulfilling an important role and they will get to see their own artwork as they learn and sing the song. If you let each class build a page, make sure to write the phrase on the back of each piece. Have the song playing in the background (with or without words) as the kids are working so they will start to familiarize themselves with it. You do not have to actually make a storybook out of these pages...you could just have a member of each class hold the picture. These pictures can help in weeks to come as you take certain pictures away or assign each class to sing their own page and then have the classes trade lines. There is a lot you can do with these pages.

I think that about does it. I hope you can use these ideas for your primary or they can get your creative juices flowing.

Happy Singing!!!!

Choose and Review: Scipture Themes

Another year, another theme, another program.....so exciting!!!!

I do have a few ideas on how to teach the year's new, wonderful song....but those will come on the next post.

I wanted to outline a couple of singing times that can fit in pretty much any Sunday because they all focus on the year's theme. I had the opportunity to sub for the chorister in my ward this past Sunday. It was the first Sunday of the year and I knew it might be a bit hectic. She and I thought it best for her to start teaching "If I Listen With My Heart" next week when she gets back. I decided to focus on the scriptures for my singing time. I came up with two similar ideas for Junior and Senior, then had another idea pop into my head Monday as I was running errands.

Here are the three Scripture Singing Time ideas:

Junior: Name that Scripture Story

*Pick 4-5 scripture stories and find the corresponding GAK pictures. These will be taped at the front of the room on the board/podium/etc.

*Pick a song to correspond to each scripture story. This should be a song that highlights one of the lessons learned through the scripture stories.

*Find 1-2 objects that can represent each story you have picked. These should either be hidden around the room or put in different boxes/containers/bags for the kids to open upon request.

*Intro: I sang the new song for the kids so they would be familiar with the tune for next week. I also had them sing the last line with me a couple times. I then reiterated the fact that when we read the scripture stories we can feel the Spirit and learn what Heavenly Father and Jesus want us to do to choose the right so we can live with them again someday.

*Instructions: I explained to the kids that we would be opening the containers to find objects inside that would remind us of scripture stories. We would then have to match the object to the pictures at the front. Then we would sing a song.

*Game: We played the game and as each object was chosen I was able to review the story for the kids using the objects/props. We would then sing the corresponding songs. When appropriate, I did use fun signs and challenges for the kids as they sang to keep them interested and excited.

*Conclusion: I finished by having the kids sing through the final line of January's song again and bearing my testimony about what we had talked about.

Evaluation: This singing time went really well and kept the attention of these little kids (ages 3-5 in this ward). I do think you could get even more group participation by adding in another element to the game. You could have the kids pick the object and then ask them to follow different colored footprints around the room to find the appropriate GAK pictures. In this way you could have all the kids use their hands as binoculars to find the footprints and corresponding pictures (in large envelopes). This keeps them all involved and working toward a common goal.

My stories: I used the following stories for my singing time: Noah's Ark (animals), Daniel and the Lion's Den (lions), The Liahona (a liahona replica available at Deseret), Jesus Feeds 5000 (fish picture and some bread), and Ammon Guarding the flock (a sheep and sword).

Senior Primary: Match that Scripture

This singing time goes almost exactly the same as the one above. I used the same stories, but tweaked some of the songs since the kids in Senior know a few more songs. You can use the same objects/props for each scripture story, as well as GAK picture. You will keep the GAK with you to use as you tell the stories, and place the objects at the front for the kids to see as you are playing the game. Here are the changes:

*Select and prepare 1-2 verses for each scripture story that provide the main idea or "crux" of the story. You need to have these ready to read for the children. If time permits you could also ask the kids to find these in a scripture chase and let them read the verses. I found reading the verses best-suited my needs.

*Intro: same as above

*Instructions: Explain to the kids that you will read the verse and then they should stand as soon as they think they know what the scritpure story is. I made sure to tell the kids that as soon as I saw someone stand I would stop talking and ask them to find the appropriate object. I wanted to make sure the kids didn't just stand for fun.

*Game: Read each verse and let the kids find the appropriate object. Then you tell the scripture story and ask the kids to tell you the lesson. Sing the song at the end...I did include games and challenges as we sang, when appropriate.

*Conclusion: same as above

Evaluation: I thought this also worked great for Senior primary!

Additional Singing Time: Every Song Has a Story

This is the singing time that came to me on Monday. I have not sat down to create a lesson plan for it, so I will just explain the idea and if you like it, you can run with it!

The idea behind this is to help the kids understand that the songs we are singing in Primary are inspired by God and can help us remember and learn from the Scriptures (the actual words of God).

*Give each class a list of all the songs in the Children's Songbook. For this activity it is important to leave off the activity songs. If you think the kids can handle it, you could leave this step out.

*Instruct each class to choose a song from the Songbook...preferrably one they actually know, but this does not have to be a rule.

*Hand out half-sheets of paper with a large rectangle outlined in marker. You then have each class write the name of their song in white crayon inside the rectangle.

*You can get creative with this next step. You can have the classes crumble up their papers and throw them at you (like a snowball), you could have them fold them up, or you could just collect each one.

*Select one child to come up and pick a paper. They will reveal the written song by coloring in the rectangle with a marker.

*Once the song is selected you will challenge the kids to think of a scripture story that the song corresponds with (there should be more than one). You could also make this a challenge to the teachers or you from the kids. You can ask a teacher to come up a story, or you have to come up with a story. If the teachers or you cannot come up with a story, then the kids get to sing an activity song, or you can start puting on funny accessories...the possibities are endless.

*Sing the selected song. You can make it more interactive by using fun signs, leading props, omitting words, standing on certain words...once again there are lots of options.

*Conclude by bearing your testimony of the scriptures and songs.

As you can see, this idea is a little rough but hopefully you get the point. I want the kids to realize and feel the spirit of these songs and how they relate to the scriptures. I have done the "magic writing" activity in Senior and they loved it. You could do this with Junior, but would either need more teacher involvement or you could let the kids draw pictures (they will probably have to interpret their drawings for you as they are revealed).

Hope this helps get some ideas flowing!!!