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

Mother's Day Idea

I suppose it's time to start thinking about a Mother's Day song as well since they always ask our primary to sing something in Sacrament Meeting on that Sunday. This year I decided to do another little medley. First I went to the lds.org music site and transposed the song "Grandmother" to the key of C and printed it off. Then I printed off the Children's Songbook version of "I am a Child of God" which is also in the key of C. The Grandmother song looks like it will be low to sing but it actually is a lot easier than the original high version and even the older boys will sing it! I will have them sing the 1st verse of the Grandmother song changing the words "gradmother just" to "grandma and mom" and then the piano player will end on the first ending adding a C chord at then end. After a small pause we'll start singing the chorus of "I am a Child of God." I think it will be cute and have a good message for all the mom's and grandma's out there!!

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

Thanksgiving Fun

I love this time of year when the primary program is over and the holiday songs dust themselves off and start to get some "sing time" again!  Of course I'm planning and bringing back my favorite Thanksgiving song "My Blessings" . . .here's how I taught it and used it last year, it was a lot of fun, I just have to find a new guitar player since I still am not so good and need practice.

I also am planning on recycling my Serving Scarecrow for a fun singing time about gratitude and serving others.

Finally I am planning on finally teaching them the "For Health and Strength" using sign language and teaching it it German, I found two amazingly fun ideas here at sugardoodle.

Reinforce the words by teaching the children to sign four of the words. For the word health, extend the forefinger and the middle finger—this is the hand shape for H. Both hands form the H shape and touch the chest and then the waist. For food, use the right hand to act as if you are placing food in the mouth. The sign for praise is made by combining the signs for true and applaud. First the forefinger of the right hand is upright and moves straight forward from the mouth, then a hand-clapping motion is made. To sign the word Lord, use the thumb and first finger of the right hand extended (hand shape L), move the hand from the left side of the chest to the right hip.

Another fun way to review the song is to teach it in a different language. The English and German words to “For Health and Strength” are very similar:

“Für Hilf und Kraft, fürs täglich Brot wir danken dir, o Gott.” (Pronounced similar to “fyur hilf oont kroft, fyurs teglikh brote veer donken deer, oh Gote.”)

It is fun to speak a different language! German has some sounds that we do not have in English. The “ü” sound is made by saying a long “e” and then rounding the lips. The “ä” sound is a short “e” sound. German does not have a “w” sound; the “w” makes the sound of “v.” Point out the similarities in such words as for/für, and/und, health/Hilf, bread/Brot (bread stands for food here), God/Gott.  (Idea taken from the November 2006 Friend Sharing Time Suggestion)

Maybe have the 1st group sing in English and the next group sing in German for Sr. Primary.

Here's a link to a ton of amazing Thanksgiving ideas if you need some more inspiration 

Mother's Day Medley

After a lot of thought and prayer I finally know what we're singing for Mother's Day in Sacrament Meeting!!

I took the following songs and printed them all of in the key of G.  You can do this on LDS.org.

1. Mother Dear page 206
2. We'll Bring the World His Truth page 172
3. Mother, I Love You page 207

Now here's my trick.  Sing the 1st verse of Mother Dear using all the sign language from the previous post.  Make sure you make it super cheesy and cute.  I have emailed lots of mom's in the ward to get pictures of them smiling alone or with their kids, I had them printed and the older kids will hold them up when we sing "you're happy smiling face!".  At the end of this song the pianist will do the little run that leads into the chorus of Army of Helaman. . ."we are as the army of Helaman we have been TAUGHT BY OUR MOMS. . ." and continue until the 1st ending.  after the 4 counts of the first ending we'll sing the very end of Mother, I love you singing "Mother I Love You I Love You I Do!!"

It's gonna be cute, something different but something applicable for today's hard world where Mom's are really working hard to raise righteous strong children.  Happy Mother's Day!!

Mother's Day Songs

Well I've been informed that the primary will be singing 2 songs for Mother's Day . . .that means I've got three weeks to make something spectacular happen so we look really prepared! I love this idea found on The Ordinary Adventures of a Primary Chorister site, I think I'll teach the Junior Primary and nursery this one.
Mother Dear
I will teach them this simple sign language:

Mother dear:

I : Point to themselves

Love: 

You so: Point to their own mothers or if their mother is not there, to any mom.

Your happy smiling face: smile and place pointer fingers at the corners of mouth.

Is such a joy to look at: make an oval viewer putting hands together.

It make home: peak hands together like the roof of a house.

A lovely place: change the roof into a heart shape

 I'm not sure about the second song. . .it's still up in the air as of 6:30 tonight . . . I better get cracking on something ASAP!!

Unwrapping the True Meaning of Christmas

I just wanted to do something fun this week since we've sang all our songs for all the programs and it's almost Christmas and I just wanted to be a little laid back and silly while still retaining the true meaning of Christmas.  So here's the deal.  Explain that today we're going to play a little game to "unwrap' the true meaning of Christmas.

I drew some pictures of the different nativity characters (you could use actual nativity pieces if you wanted) and I wrapped the pictures of baby Jesus in the manger in the boxes.  One for Jr. Primary, and one for Sr. Primary.  I also got a big bag of peppermint discs (you could use any candy in a wrapper). 

The goal for singing time is this. . .choose a child or teacher to come up and while you are singing a Christmas song (their choice or yours) they have to put on the coat, the gloves, the scarf, and the hat (more or less items depending on Jr. or Sr. primary) and then open as many peppermint discs as they can.  If they collectively open 5 discs you add one of your characters to the nativity and you get one step closer to opening the big present and "unwrapping" the true meaning of Christmas!  Ha ha that is extremely cheesy but I think it's going to be fun, the trick will be to keep it reverent. . kind of!!

P.S. use just cloth gloves for junior primary or they'll never get them open. . !!!

True Meaning of Christmas Singing Time!

 

This week's theme was about Jesus being the Savior of the world.  I made the poster above, and yes I'm aware that my foam board is starting to look a bit tattered, but our Primary room doesn't have anything but a rolling chalkboard so it's hard to find room to hang things.  Anyway, I asked the kids if they thought something was wrong with this picture.  I got tons of funny responses, "too much red," "candles burn presents" . . .I told them that it was odd to put Santa and Jesus on the same poster.  Finally I pointed out that we were going to learn how all these exciting Christmas things like Santa and presents actually all tie into the birth of the Savior.  I told them that we were going on a musical journey to find the true meaning of Christmas!  On the back of each picture was the meaning and a song (listed below)  All pictures compliments of google. Also for the junior primary they seemed especially wiggly so I did silly things like had them sway back and forth during Silent Night or lead with me during the First Noel. . .just to keep them focused.  Good Luck!!

Bells- Shepherds ring bells to bring the lost sheep home.  In the same way God values all people, wherever they are, they are not lost to him.  In some places bells are rung on Christmas Day to proclaim the good news.       (Song: Christmas Bells)

Candles - Before electricity candles would light the way so people could see where they were going. The candles were usually handmade, great care was taken in how the candles were used, especially during the long, dark, cold winter months. When it is dark we are afraid, but the light casts away our fears. Jesus came into the world and taught that He is the light of the world.He casts away our fears and helps us feel safe   (Song: Silent Night)

Candy Cane - Represents the shepherds crook.  The crook was a strong stick with a curved end that could be placed around the neck of a sheep that had slipped down the hillside and could pull them back to safety.  The candy cane represents the helping hand we give to others, and reminds us all that we are our brother's keepers.  The original candy cane had three small red stripes which represent the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed.  And a large red stripe that represents the shedding of blood of Jesus so we can have eternal life. (Song: The First Noel)

Evergreen Tree - The evergreen of everlasting life, pointing heavenward. (Song: Away in a Manger)

Gifts - giving, sharing and thinking of others (Song: Once Within a Lowly Stable)

Star - The star of Bethlehem led the wise men to the Christ child.  It was a heavenly sign of promise from long years ago.  God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was a sign of the fulfillment of that promise.  (Song: Stars Were Gleaming)

Wreath - wreaths being in the shape of a circle represent a love that knows no end.  It signifies the love God has for us in sending His Son.  (Song: He Sent His Son)

 PICTURE OF SANTA

I couldn't find the picture of Santa I used but if you google "santa clipart" there's tons to choose from.

Santa - The spirit of Christmas, giving and receiving love, caring, sharing, goodness, cheerfulness, peace, good will to all, Christ like giving.

THE COLOR RED

The color red - represents the Saviors sacrifice for all of us.  Isaiah 1:18 (Song Joy To The World)

Christmas Bells Are Ringing

So I just found out that our Primary gets to sing not one but two songs for the Ward Christmas Program in December . . .so besides celebrating our program being over and singing some songs of gratitude we are going to have to start singing some holiday songs.  This Sunday I plan to let them celebrate the end of their Christmas Program with some favorite song singing and then we're going to work on Christmas Bells are ringing.  Because of the time constraints I have asked a wonderful soprano in the ward to sing the descant and the primary will all just sing the simple verse.  Here's what we'll do.

 I put together a big poster with clipart for those visual learners . . .I usual talk/sing about the song one phrase at a time and hang up the posters as I do it.  Here's what I came up with using google and sugardoodle and such

Christmas Bells

Are Ringing

Hear What They

 I'll make a poster with a big Capital and lowercase letter "U' for "say to you"

Jesus is Born

In Bethlehem, In Bethlehem

 After teaching them the basic words and tune of the song and letting them sing it while ringing bells I found at the dollar store,  I will introduce the sign language . . .if you use this site you can look up the following words and they work amazing with this song for all those kids that love actions

• Christmas (use Christmas-1 under Religious Signs)
• Ring (I used another site to find "ring" as in ringing a bell) and to do this sign you droop your right hand at the wrist and smack it against your left palm like the thing inside a bell
• Hear
• Say
• Jesus
• Born
• Bethlehem

Good Luck and pass along some ideas if you have some.

My Blessings Part 2

So I got creative last week and tried to play the guitar because I really wanted to use it for primary . . .let's just say that I'm not a stellar as I hoped I would be after all these years!  Then I remembered that one of the Elders in our ward played in a band before he came on a mission. . .so it was an awesome opportunity to get the missionaries in Primary and get the guitar!  So last Sunday I told the kids that because they had been working so hard on our "8 song Race" to prepare for the Primary Program that we were taking a vacation and were not going to be singing any Primary Songs for the whole day!!!  I then introduced them to my "band" and we learned to sing "My Blessings" with the guitar and then with the guitar and piano.  It went really well and to top it off I had the other missionary in the companionship bear his testimony of music and gratitude and blessings!  It was an awesome Sunday.  The song is really quite easy for the kids to learn and in Sr. Primary they learned it good enough to sing both parts together . . .remember don't underestimate these little souls!!

Thanksgiving Song "My Blessings"

So I have this amazing Aunt who is absolutely amazing in all things music and I'm sure would outshine me ten fold as a Primary chorister but thank goodness she loves me and reads my blog because she reminded me of this amazing Thanksgiving song to sing in Primary.  She says that in her home it is a tradition ever November and in Primary she would use the guitar to teach it to the kids and it was catchy enough that they could sing it in a duet . . .she also said she took her guitar and played it in the nursery.  For those of us who aren't quite "Maria" from the Sound of Music and don't have guitar skills brave enough for church the piano works awesome too!  Check it out I know you'll love it!  P.S. it's from the Children's Friend 1983 so it's definitely approved!!

"My Blessings" The Friend 1983