Teaching: Switcheroo

At its core, this technique consists of writing all the words, or the key words, on the board or a poster for the children to view. Assign each row of children to a phrase in the song and after singing through the song once or twice, the children will switch rows. This will continue until each child has sung each phrase of the song.

A more detailed plan for this idea is as follows:

1. Introduce the gospel principle associated with the selected song through scriptures, a quote, an attention activity, or other interesting method.


2. Sing through the song directing the children's listening to key words, ideas, phrases


3. Display the prepared phrases


4. Assign each row of children to a particular phrase.There are a couple ways you can designate which row sings which phrase: Assign each phrase a number, Write each phrase in a different color, Assign each phrase a shape


5. Each time you switch rows and phrases, take the time to highlight one particular phrase and briefly explain


6. Conclude the singing time by challenging the children to sing all the phrases. This is also a great time to introduce some tool of motivation, such as the slinky, to measure their success.


7. Bear testimony of the gospel principle addressed in the song

Obviously, this idea would work best with Senior Primary since they can read the words. I have attempted it with Junior Primary using objects, but it didn't go quite as planned and I didn't feel it was very effective. If you have a large primary, you can also break the phrases down if needed to allow for more rows of children.

Extension Activity: If you write the words/key words on a posterboard for this activity you can bring that poster back in the following weeks to use for repeats and reviews. You can start covering up certain words as you challenge the children to memorize the words.