"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!!!!