4th of July Singing Time

There are some amazing ambitious ideas floating around the internet for 4th of July singing time and while I applaud those whose ambition is so exuberant I am a bit more laid back this year since I'm feeling huge, hot, and pregnant ha ha!  So here's my plan for Jr. and Sr. Primary this Sunday.

Jr. Primary
I'm going to talk to them a little bit about our flag and some of the etiquette involved in the flag such as how we stand whenever it passes us (like in parades, or in Boy Scout activities), how to properly put your hand over your heart so you proudly salute the flag, etc.  Then I have some flags I bought in the Target dollar bins that I'll hand out to 10-12 people at a time and have them line up and march back and forth while we sing My Flag, My Flag (flipchart here) and we'll practice standing and saluting as it passes each row.  Next we'll talk about the configuration of the flag and the importance of the 13 stripes, 50 stars, and the colors red (valour), white (purity) and blue (color of the chief).  We'll assemble a little flag I made (not to scale sadly) while we sing My Country Tis of Thee (flipchart here).  I'll let kids come up and lead the wiggle songs as needed with a flag perhaps.

Sr. Primary
I made a patriotic booklet of my own here and I intend to talk about all the same things as mentioned for the Jr. Primary only in a little more depth and after each little fact we'll sing one of the patriotic songs listed.  My Sr. Primary loves it when they get to sing the "big people songs" from the hymn book and they love it when I treat them like my "primary tabernacle choir"

Patriotic Booklet

Mother's Day Singing Time

Well I'm behind schedule this week and worn out due to the fact that we're expecting baby number 3!! and I'm feeling morning sickness pretty much all day ha ha!  So I went to Pattie's Primary Place and borrowed and tweaked an idea.  Here's what I plan to do.  I found all the images on google image search and plan to print them out, color the super mom, and laminate them with their corresponding word action on the back.  Then I'll tape a song to each one.  During singing time I'll pick a reverent person to come help us learn about all the super things super moms do and we'll sing one of our program songs and a few others using the corresponding item actions.  It should be fun and mix things up while still getting them to practice program songs!  Yeah!
Mothers Day

When I Am Baptized

Because this song has so many important doctrinal truths to teach and there is the beautiful metaphor between the clean earth and our clean lives after baptism and repentance I decided to do a less literal flip chart and more rebus style one.  I like occassionally using these kinds because it gives me an opportunity to really talk about the doctrine and the pictures are just reminders of the lyrics while we're learning.  It doesn't take a lot of outside preparation and really becomes an interactive teaching process while we learn the song.  I'm excited we get to learn this song since it's one of my favorite baptism songs.  Something I want to be careful and aware of is that there may be questions about those children who did not get baptized at age 8 for whatever reason and also questions that may arise about children who pass away before being able to be baptized since we have a few young children who have passed away in our ward.  I think it's going to be a fun Sunday, plus we get to finish getting ready for our Mother's Day Performance!

When I Am Baptized

I Feel My Savior's Love

For this month's song I chose "I Feel My Savior's Love." I think it's an amazing song with lyrics that will teach them about feeling the love of Christ in every aspect of their life. To introduce the song I plan to use different objects and talk about how they feel. For instance wrapping them in a warm blanket, feeling the roughness of a rock, etc. Then I plan to take it a step further and talk about how it feels when we choose the right, how it feels when we make a mistake, and then explain that Jesus came to this earth and felt all those same things. I want to emphasize how they each can feel the warmth of the Savior's love by living a life in accordance with his gospel. I want it to be a testimony builder. Sometimes I talk about the different principles as I'm teaching the song so they really understand what they're singing about. Sometimes the pictures are great reminders but they really need to know what they are singing about because we as choristers are like the gospel doctrine teachers of the primary kids. Here's my flipchart in anyone is using this song this month. I Feel My Savior's Love

Easter Sunday Singing Time

Whew I'm late posting this week because well it's been spring break, Easter weekend and of course I "get to" give a talk in Sacrament tomorrow so I've been a bit busy.  Here's my plan for Easter Sunday.

I wish more of the kids knew the Easter Songs but since they don't I've decided to do two different things for Jr. and Sr. Primary.  I'm using the Resurrection Eggs idea that's found everywhere in the Christian world. . .

First off I made my own set of Resurrection Eggs, you'll notice some Jr. Primary song suggestions since they don't know the Easter songs very well and need a lot more movement.  You can hide the eggs around the room or have the kids come and choose them in order, it's up to you.  In Sr. Primary I will hand out the sheet of song lyrics for all the Easter songs (also below) and we'll sing them instead of the ones listed below for Jr. Primary.  I hope this turns out to be a spiritual yet fun experience, I really want the kids to know what Easter is really all about.
Resurrection EggsEaster Songs

I Can Follow the Prophet Singing Time

So I'll admit my spinner is not my finest power point work but it will have to do for Sunday!  It's the final Sunday before Conference and the theme is about following the prophet so it's a great Sunday to sing our old favorite "Follow the Prophet!"

I'm adapting a little of this and that to make for a fun Sunday.  First we'll talk about the importance once again of listening to the words of prophets in the scriptures as well as prophets that will be speaking in General Conference.  Then we'll start by having a volunteer come and spin the spinner.  They'll get a chance to then answer a corresponding question about that prophet.  When they've answered a question we'll sing that verse while passing a small ball or balloon up and down the aisles.  Whoever the ball ends up with at chorus time will have to answer another question about that prophet.  If they get it right they get to choose to do disco actions for the chorus or asl actions or march in place (sometimes I let them stand up on their chairs and march)!! 

After singing the whole verse we'll start fresh with a new volunteer on the spinner and move on to another verse or continue that one.  It should be easy and fun and if it lands on a line I'll let them choose a favorite song or something, I'm just going to see how it goes and how the kids are.  You never know!  I'm a little excited for Conference because I get a whole week off to not think about planning a Singing Time. . .ha ha! Follow the Prophet Game

The 1st Presidency and the 12 Apostles Singing Time

This weeks sharing time theme is "The First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles are prophets."  So I thought it would be fun to take a break from the norm of teaching songs and do something a little different.  I found this amazing apostle matching game here full of fun facts about each member of the 1st Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  I thought I'd focus on the interesting facts and hobbies part so I don't interfere with anything planned for sharing time.  I'm making it simple and not doing anything fancy.  I'll have all the pictures turned backwards on the board and I'll have a volunteer come and turn one over.  After letting them attempt to name the person, I'll tell the primary the apostle/prophet's name  and then the interesting facts.  These facts correlate with a primary song we'll then sing.  I'm listing tons of hobbies and songs but I'll choose just one for each.  There's tons of songs that could work so use what you're primary knows and loves.  I always let my volunteer help me lead the song and help with the actions if there are any as well. 

1. Thomas S. Monson
• hobbies are fishing (Oh What Do You Do In The Summertime) and raising pigeons (In the Leafy Treetops)
2. Henry B. Eyring
• hobbies are watercoloring (Our Primary Colors) and cooking (When We're Helping We're Happy)
3. Dieter R. Uchtdorf
• profession was an airline pilot and was awarded his wings as a US Jet Fighter Pilot (My Flag, My Flag or My Country Tis' of Thee or Do As I'm Doing -fly like and airplane)
4. Boyd K. Packer
• hobbies are woodcarving birds (In The Leafy Treetops, Birds in the Tree) and painting (Our Primary Colors, Little Purple Pansies, My Heavenly Father Loves Me)
5. L. Tom Perry
• hobbies are sports (Hinges, Head Shoulder Knees and Toes), Repairing Things (??? Atonement song maybe?) and Gardening (the Prophet Said to Plant a Garden, Little Purple Pansies, Little Seeds Lie Fast Asleep, Popcorn Popping)
6. Russell M. Nelson
• hobbies are music (pick your favorite song, or use Sing a Song or Hum Your Favorite Hymn) and skiing (Once There Was a Snowman or Falling Snow)
7. Dallin H. Oaks
• hobbies are fishing (Give Said the Little Stream) and camping (I am Like a Star)
8. M. Russell Ballard
• hobbies are fixing things (maybe I Hope They Call Me On A Mission becuase you're "fixing lives), golf (Do As I'm Doing Golfer style)
9. Richard G. Scott
• hobbies are music (see above music ideas), painting (see above ideas), birding (see above ideas)
10. Robert D. Hales
• hobbies are baseball (see sports ideas above) and piano (maybe pick any song and sing it without the piano?  hmm)
11. Jeffery R. Holland
• hobbies are athletics(see above ideas), teaching (I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus, Come Follow Me, I Will Follow God's Plan) and Spending Time With Family (The Family, Love is Spoken Here)
12. David A. Bednar
• He was a teacher (see above ideas for teaching) and is an author (Book of Mormon Stories)
13. Quentin L. Cook
• He was an attorney (Quickly I'll Obey ha ha!), and captain of his high school football team (The Lord Gave Me a Temple)
14. D. Todd Christofferson
• He was a lawyer and an amazing scholar (Seek the Lord Early, 2nd Article of Faith)
15. Neal L. Anderson
• worked in healthcare (Kindness Begins With Me, The Lord Gave Me A Temple, Jesus Says Love Everyone), real estate (Sing Your Way Home) and speaks three languages French, Spanish and Portuguese(Children All Over the World, or Hello Song in different languages)

Good Luck I'd love to hear what you all are doing in your primaries this fun month!

Stand For the Right 2012 Week One

I've debated all week on how to reintroduce this song since we just learned it last year and it's really quite easy. I really wanted to emphasize that prophets are put her on earth to be watchmen on towers that guide us throw this life safely.  I want the kids to know what it means to "stand for the right" and "be true."  I want them to know what President Monson said about this (collection of quotes found here which I plan to use later this month).  And most importantly I want them to be able to realize that next month during conference they will be hearing those words from the apostles and prophet that will guide them safely through this life.  I found an amazing lesson plan in an old "Primary Partners" Follow the Prophet book.  I can't post the pictures because of copyright laws but here's the idea.

There's a huge tower with the prophet and his apostles on top of it.  On the tower is written "Prophets and apostles are watchmen on the tower."  Then there are several large conversation bubbles with different ways of following the prophet listed.  There's

1. Repent
2. Have Family Home Evening
3. Keep the Commandments
4. Study the Scriptures
5. Share the Gospel
6. Forgive One Another
7. Keep the Word of Wisdom
8. Attend Church Meetings
9. Attend the Temple
10. Pray Often
11. Follow the Savior Jesus Christ
12. Pay Tithing
13. Love One Another
14. Keep the Sabbath Day Holy
15. Dress Modestly
16. Be Honest

For each of these topics there is a corresponding quote from an apostle or prophet that emphasizes the importance of this.  After singing through the song I will just introduce and talk about each bubble in Junior Primary, I'll let the little ones help me hang them up by the prophet as we talk about them.  In Sr. Primary I'll hide the quote under their chair and then I'll have them read their quote and match it to the picture.  For each two quotes/pictures we'll sing Stand for The Right with great exuberance!

Stand for the Right 2012

Luckily it's only been a year since we got to teach this amazingly simple and testimony building song.  That being said I do plan on recycle some old ideas as well as bringing in some new.  Here's the link to lasts year's teaching and review ideas, maybe they will help.

Stand For The Right Teaching Ideas from 2011

Choose The Right Verse 2 Flipchart/Visuals

Well I have decided to brave my way into teaching the second verse for a number of reasons.  The kids have learned the 1st verse so well and they seem to really love this song.  Secondly, this song has the most amazing gospel truths to teach and share with the kids and third, if we learn this song in primary is completes one of the Faith in God requirements for the older boys and girls.  See details HERE for the girls and HERE for the boys!

I've decided to use some helps from the current Friend magazine to help discuss the topics in the second verse.  It's got some big words that have lots of meaning like "digression" and "inspiration".  I've tried to stick with pictures that convey the message well and hopefully not confuse the younger ones.  My plan is to use THIS memory match game from the friend.  I'm going to put the first match on a phrase of the flipchart.  So the picture of Nephi's broken bow will be on "CTR" (first page) and then when we talk about the choices Nephi had to make and how he went about choosing the right I'll have a volunteer search the room for the matching piece that shows Nephi with a new bow hunting.  When they find it we will attach it to the 2nd page of the flipchart "let no spirit of digression" and put them up on the chalkboard.  Once we have a complete phrase we will sing it through a couple times and talk about the hard words.  It may take the whole 20 minutes to get through the verse but I think it will be a good way to discuss how important listening to the Holy Ghost and not letting anything deter you from making the right choice.

Here's my flipchart/visuals for the second verse

CTR 2nd Verse

Choose the Right Flip Chart (Corrected)

It was brought to my attention that I added apostraphes to the word "its" in my flipchart . . .oh no! I corrected it and here is the correct spelled version! Thanks for keeping me up on my grammar skills! Okay here's the first verse of Choose the Right that I plan on teaching on Sunday.  I am also planning on using various animals in a black bag and then having a volunteer come up and I'll make the sound of an animal and they'll have to reach into the bag and try and find the animal without looking. When they struggle I'll then hand them a flashlight and repeat the process with the help of the light. I'll emphasize the correlation between choices, light or the Holy Ghost, and choosing the right. It will introduce the theme of the song perfectly. I saw a similar activity on someone's blog but I can't remember where. If it was yours please tell me.

Choose the Right 1

Simplified Primary Songs

My music share went so well last week, we had a full 15 minutes of sharing including solos, duets, piano solos, viola rendition of "The First Noel" and one of my 11 year olds brought his bassoon and played "I am a Child of God."  One of my favorite parts was when one of our autistic children stood up and wanted to sing "Praise to the Man,"  he grabbed the microphone and I started playing the piano and he sang every single word so amazing!  These are some of my favorite experiences in Sr. Primary, the spirit is so strong and the kids are learning how to share their testimonies and talents through music.  I LOVE IT.  That being said, I'm going to start an ongoing post here with links to simplified versions of our songs.  I have kids learn the songs throughout the year to play as prelude in primary and for the primary program, and if they are brave enough I let them accompany the primary while we sing, it's a great opportunity for them to share.  If you have some please leave a comment and I'll include it in the post.

1. AS A CHILD OF GOD
• lds.org 
2.  CHOOSE THE RIGHT
• smurthwaitesongs
3. STAND FOR THE RIGHT
• smurthwaitesongs 
4. I FEEL MY SAVIOR'S LOVE
• VKBrown 
• smurthwaitesongs 
5. WHEN I AM BAPTIZED
• laytonmusic
• VKBrown
6. NEPHI'S COURAGE
• lds.org 
• laytonmsuic
• VKBrown 
• smurthwaitesongs
7. THE WISE MAN AND THE FOOLISH MAN
• smurthwaitesongs 
8. I'M TRYING TO BE LIKE JESUS
• lds.org
• laytonmusic
• smurthwaitesongs

Pictionary Review and 5th Sunday Fun!

So because we have a HUGE primary that's split into Jr. and Sr. I often have to plan separate activities that are age appropriate for each group.  This week is one of those weeks!

Jr. Primary - I want to review "As a Child of God" but I want to have some fun too so here's the plan.  I found this fun "straw blowin'" activity on sugardoodle and want to use it.  I'm going to put important words of the songs inside the straws (i.e. Earth, Power, Child of God, etc.). On the back of the word will be a direction like "sing on one foot" sing with eyes closed", etc.  Then  I'm going to put four tape lines on the floor.  If they reach the first they have to sing the 1st verse, the second is the 2nd verse, the third is the chorus, and the fourth is the WHOLE song.  Should be really fun!

Sr. Primary - I will do a similar activity in Sr. Primary only with a bit of a twist.  I'll split them into two teams, boys against girls or just count them off, it all just depends on how rowdy they are that day.  The rowdier they are the more apt I am to count them off by two's instead of boys vs. girls (sshh it's my little secret).  Next I'll have a basket the word strips included below in it. The first contestant will have one minute to Pictionary style try to draw the word for his team, if they guess it correctly they will have the opportunity to earn an additional point by also choosing one of my "sing it like" cards.  We'll sing the song alternating 1st verse and second verse.  Then go to the next contestant.  If they don't get the answer the other team will get a chance to guess but cannot earn extra points.  This is always a popular activity in my primary, they love it and it's a fun way to include the kids will difficulties like autism or other challenging issues because the drawing is a fun way for them to participate.

Child of God Review Strips

As A Child of God Week 2

Yes I'm only on week 2 of getting to teach this song and yet I'm feeling quite confident it will go great.  Here's the plan.

• We're going to sing the first verse of the song two times to just review what we learned last time and refresh their little brains.  After we're done we'll have a quick review using this idea "Building a Child of God".  Once we've gone through each phrase competing girls vs. boys, I'll tell them that's it's time to start learning the second verse.
• We are doing sign language for the second verse (I have sign language pictures on my flip chart and there are tons of resources out there on to show you like here)  So phrase by phrase I'll teach them the sign language and words and go through it twice then have the competition again to see.
• I'll probably get some of the primary presidency members to be my panel of judges because it helps if I can be neutral when we're still so early in learning.

I found awesome free clipart to use for the boys and girls hangman bodies . . .check out this site   to print off a useable copy without the black border.