Teaching: Key Word Scriptures

This teaching method would definitely work best in Senior Primary, though it could be modified to meet the needs of the little ones. The idea is pretty simple. Pick one key word from each phrase in the song you are teaching. Write out the phrases for the children to see (on posterboard, whiteboard, chalkboard, etc.), leaving a blank in place of the key words you have chosen. In place of those key words you will write a short scripture that contains the word. You can find scriptures for each word by doing a search on lds.org. It would work best if you can find a scripture that contains the word a few times and speaks to the meaning or context of the word to add extra meaning and application to the activity.

The goal will be for the kids to determine what word should go in the blank. As they are searching for each key word, you can sing through the particular phrase over and over making sure to hum in place of the key word. You can instruct the children to sing along with you once they have found the word....humming the key word. This is a great way for the kids to let you know they have found the answer. Once it appears the children are ready you can invite them to whisper the word in unison.

Here is how I would use this method for the song "Faith" if I were teaching it as my chosen song this month:

Phrase #1: Sun (Ecc. 1:5)

Phrase #2: Lord (1 Sam 12:18)

Phrase #3: Seed (Mark 4:31)

Phrase #4: Heart (Psalms 57:7)

Phrase #5: Right (1 Kings 15:11)

**Another way you could work this method is to pass out the scripture references to 1 or 2 classes each and ask them to find the words. One class could be in charge of writing the word on the slip of paper and another in charge of drawing a picture or deciding on an action to go with the key word.

**Junior Primary modification: Have pictures on display that correspond with each word and challenge them to listen to the scriptures and pick the correct picture. Once the picture is chosen, the kids could learn/practice the applicable phrase.

Teaching: Hand Signs

Teaching a new song can be a challenge....especially when you have 50-100 little ones and "big kids" squiggling around in their seats or talking while you try to teach them. No matter how many ideas I see or come up with this is THE ONE that always works. It also is the one that ALWAYS works best. I always have high hopes of finding something different and better; I hate the idea of always introducing and teaching a song in the same way. After more than a decade, I have decided, though, that "they" might be right when "they" say: if it isn't broken, don't fix it. I will add that I like to use this idea in conjunction with other teaching methods, though. I usually use this idea, along with directed listening, to introduce the song and get all the words "out there" and then move on to another teaching method to really get into the song and its meaning.

This is a basic idea. Come up with a hand sign to go with each key word or small phrase in the song. You can also learn the actual sign language and teach that to the children. Either way, this method works because it gets their bodies moving, keeps them thinking, and solidifies the words with an action. I think this method is a step above the "picture method" for initial teaching because the kids can practice and use the actions anytime, anywhere; they don't need you to continally supply the pictures.

There are ways to add a little variety to this method. If you are like me and need to switch things up, try using different motivational tools or challenges for the kids as they are learning and reviewing the words and hand signs. Some examples:

• Sing each small phrase and challenge the kids to come up with an appropriate action


• Take pictures of different children doing each action as you sing through the song. You can use this in the following weeks as a "homemade" flip chart. The kids will love it!


• Hum the key words as you sign them, sing all the other words


• Only sing the key words you sign, hum all the other words


• Place a bunch of "directed listening" questions in a can and let the kids answer the questions as they learn and practice the words and sigsn for each phrase


• Play "around the world" by letting the kids face a different direction for each phrase they learn/sing. This means you will be moving around a lot!


• Have a singular goal to measure how much of the song they have learned. This can be a picture they color in as each phrase is learned, filling a vase with colored water, etc.

Last note on this topic: I have learned that kids don't get bored with this idea. You might, but they dont'.

Happy Singing!

Teaching: Pick It

This is another "classic" teaching technique that I love to use because it helps keep the children interested and involved throughout the teaching process.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Select objects and/or pictures to match with the phrases and key words in the song. An example from "Search, Ponder, and Pray" could be a heart and scriptures for "I love to read the holy scriptures". You could also use a GAK picture for that phrase.


2. Place the objects/pictures around the room before the children enter.


3. Introduce the song with an attention-getter


4. Sing through the entire song so they are at least a little familiar with it. Guide their listening by challenging them to look around the room as you sing to determine what object/picture matches different words in the song.


5. Sing through each line seperately and invite the children to pick the object/picture that matches


6. Once the correct item is chosen, the children can sing through that particular line. This is also a great time to talk about what each line means and highlight any difficult words or melody lines.


7. Place all the items in order at the front of the room as they are chosen so the children can build the song as the time progresses. You could also have different children hold the items, though I find this is sometimes a distraction.


8. Challenge the children to sing through the entire song using the items. This is another great opportunity to use a motivation tool to measure their success.


9. Bear testimony of the gospel principle the children have just sung about.

Modifications/Tips/Tricks:

• Instead of placing the objects/pictures around the room give one to each class. Ask the children to stand when they think their class' item belongs with the words you sing. You can even have that particular class sing the phrase with you once before the entire primary sing it.


• When it is time for the item to be found, invite all the children to create "magnifying goggles" around their eyes with their hands. This works best in Junior Primary and gives these little ones something to do with their hands. It will also keep them focused.


• In Junior Primary ask the children to use their "helper hands" to point to the correct item once they have found it with their "magnifying goggles". This ensures they are all working on the task and they can all get satisfaction when they are correct. Once they are pointing to the item, you can go pick it up and talk about the words.


• Number the items around the room for the Senior Primary so they can be chosen by the whole group instead of one child. Simply ask them to use their fingers to indicate which numbered item matches the particular phrase.


• If you do decide to choose one child to find an item, invite the rest of the primary to help him/her out by pointing to the correct item.

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.

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!!!

Lesson Learned: Keep It Simple (Sing By Letters Game)

Today I had the opportunity to sub for our ward's chorister and teach the kids "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus". I used the plans I outlined in my previous post. Junior Primary was fantastic and I was able to teach them the full first verse. Senior Primary, on the other hand, did not go as well and I was reminded of the importance of following the Spirit.


I had about 12 min with the Senior Primary (I had about 25 min in JP....usually these numbers are switched.) While I was listening to the sharing time presentation by the counselor I started feeling that I needed to condense or change my plans somehow, but I wasn't sure how I could do that. The first half of the song presentation was tweaked a bit and it went really well. After singing through the 2nd verse with the kids, I held up the GAK picture of Christ and the children and explained that the verse was talking about this, and similar situations, in Jesus life. I emphasized Jesus' love for children and then invited the children to close their eyes and imagine, as it suggests in the verse, that Jesus was blessing them. The Spirit was very strong at this point.


Unfortunately I chose to stick with my puzzle and scripture plans for the last 5-8 min and this activity is just much too-involved for a short singing time. In fact, it would probably be better-suited for an integrated sharing and singing time. The kids did get to sing through the verse 4 times throughout the singing time and we did talk about 2 scripture stories of Jesus so I don't feel it was a complete loss. I do think for an "introduction" Sunday this was not the greatest lesson plan. I was reminded through this experience that keeping it simple is usually the best policy unless you have the full 40 min to teach, sing, and "play" with the kids. I will not soon forget this and hopefully reading about my experience (mistake) will help someone from making it in the future.


Of course I have not been able to stop thinking about the woulda, shoulda, couldas with this Senior Primary singing time. Here is one idea I had thought about doing while planning last week and now realize I probably should have done to help the kids really learn the words. I call it "Sing by Letters" and it is based on the memorization technique that involves writing the first letter of each word to trigger your mind to remember, and eventually memorize, the words. Here is what it looks like:






So I would have put the letters on the board and challenged the kids to sing the song, without explaining what they were looking at or what song it was. After giving them a few seconds, I explain the memorization technique and run through the entire song introducting the words and tune. Once the kids have sung through the song once, I invite a child to come up and pull a letter out of a bag. We then erase that letter from our letter board and either sing through the song or sing through the song while completing an activity that begins with the selected letter. You don't even have to have letters for the kids to pull out of the bag, yesterday I could have had the kids pull the shapes and used the first letter of the shape they pulled. You can also pick objects that apply to the song, time of year, sharing time or monthly theme, etc. You continue doing this until all the letters are gone or the time is up. Here are some ideas for activities:


"T": teachers sing

"C": close eyes or circle lead (draw circles in the air as you sing the song)

"S": sing slowly or "slinky singing" (more on that in a later post!)

"R": raise and lower arms as you sing (follow the leader)


Those are just a few letters, you get the picture. There is another similar idea with this game here: http://primarysingingtimeideas.blogspot.com/2009/01/crack-code.html . There really is a ton of stuff you can do with it!


So....moral of this story is that you should always follow those thoughts or feelings that you get as you are sitting in Primary and it is probably best not to plan too much to begin with (this has always been a downfall for me). The other lesson learned is that even if you think your singing time was horrible, as long as you helped the kids feel the Spirit, it was a success!!!! There is always next week.


Happy Singing!!!!!

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.

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.