Ramblings on Lessons Learned

I had another opportunity to step in for a chorister this last Sunday and was reminded, yet again, that there is always more to learn in this calling. I was asked to review the 2nd and 3rd verses of "If I Listen With My Heart" with the children to help solidify the words. (Anybody else noticing how difficult this song can be for some of the kids?) I won't go into exactly what I did. Instead I want to list a few things I thought of as I planned and was reminded of as I taught.

*Sometimes it is best, especially in JP, to only focus on 1 verse of a review song. This helps the kids to really solidify the words and also allows for some additional songs that add the variety those little minds can benefit from.

*KISS: Keep It Simple Silly! I am guilty of planning elaborate singing times only to discover that something much simpler could have accomplished the same goal....and most times would have done so in a better way.

*I need to work harder at giving the kids a specific goal or directive when they repeat a song we are reviewing. Instead of just telling them I couldn't completely understand the words or hear them, I should challenge them to sing one particular work a little louder than the others (ie. "prophet"), or to complete some other task that will keep their focus and limit the chance things are getting monotonous.

*It is always a good idea to invite the teachers to take a break from singing so I can hear how well the children really know the words.

*There should never be a Sunday that is devoted to just singing "fun songs". We should always have a gospel theme associated with our plans. Each and every song in Primary is inspired and can help teach these children gospel truths that will strengthen their testimonies.

*It is always a good idea to get the little bodies in JP moving. This can be as simple as having everyone use their "pointer finger" to help you find a requested picture or object. It is amazing the attention and participation that you can get when you invite all the kids to help from their chairs, instead of just one.

*SP loves to be challenged. These kids are smart and we should not underestimate their musical ability and gospel understanding.

2011 Challenge: Spiritually Prepare

**My challenge this year to all the choristers in the stake is to make an effort to invite the Spirit into Primary each Sunday. This post is the second in a series of thoughts on how we can accomplish this.**

As I considered how we can successfully invite the Spirit into our Primaries, my mind was drawn to the recent Regional Training. I feel it is important to remember that before we can help the children in Primary feel and recognize the Spirit on Sunday, we must be prepared and worthy of it ourselves.

In the Regional Training in January both Jim L. Wright of the Seventy and Sister Wixom, the General Primary President, spoke about the importance of living the gospel principles we teach the children each week. As we do this, we are inviting the Spirit into our lives and preparing ourselves for Sunday. Regarding this topic, Brother Wright reminded us that we need to work daily to develop our personal commitment and testimony to follow Jesus and love Him. Sister Wixom followed up with some thoughts on how we can spiritually prepare ourselves to teach the Primary children. Her ideas were not new: we should pray and read the scriptures each day. These simple actions, though, will reap great rewards in our lives and, in turn, in the lives of the children we serve. We will have a greater outpouring of the Spirit in our daily lives and thus be worthy to invite that Spirit into our lessons.

One of the purposes of Primary (found in the Handbook) is to "help the children feel and recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost". We cannot teach what we ourselves do not know. We cannot teach the children of the Spirit, if we are not familiar with the Spirit. When we have prepared ourselves spiritually throughout the week, we will be able to invite the Spirit into our lessons and allow the children to begin to feel and recognize the Holy Ghost in their own lives.

MIA

I have been missing-in-action. I had a baby about 3 weeks ago and now have 4 kids under the age of 5. I love it! Of course, this also means it is a bit crazy right now. I decided to take the month of March off.

I will be back at it in April....

Happy Singing!!!