"Choose the Right"- egg shakers and body percussion

I am so excited about this idea!!!!  We will be doing it today!

I am using it to teach the 3rd verse of "Choose the Right" but it could easily be applied to learning or reviewing any song...

Prep:

Watch these 2 clips... they will give you the idea of how this activity works!  The first one watch the entire way through, but the rumble ball one just watch the first minute or so...

Set Up:
Arrange chairs in a circle, one for each child and teacher.
(note: we have a large primary so I received permission to use the cultural hall and also I am doing all singing/sharing time, so I hope to be able to get through all the activities... adjustments may need to be made according to the time you have)

I have provided the information below in a printable and editable word document... 

just click on the link below:

PRINTABLE INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINE

 Instructions:

 Sit all the children and teachers on chairs in a circle

Warm-Up:

“Give Said the Little Stream”  cs236 (clap on “gives” stand on “S” words)

Attention Activity:

Clap

Rub hands

Clap

Cup clap low

Alternate clap/ cup clap low

Pat legs

Rub legs

Stomp feet

Rub legs

Pat legs

Snap

Clap

Rub hands

Wiggle/shake fingers

Wave alternating hands

Flip hands back and forth

Pat neighbors hand

Slowly pat your own hand and then neighbors

Speed up

Start singing!

Echo sing verse (you sing a line- everyone else sings echo)

Sing chorus together

Sing song again all the way through

Egg pass- sing the song passing egg shakers one at a time until everyone has one

 Ball Activity:

Shake your eggs to fit the action of the ball

Toss ball in the air a few times

Bounce ball a few times

Roll ball across the ground

Bounce like basketball

Bounce ball and let it stop on own

(Invite a teacher or older child to bounce the ball)

Egg Shaker Activity:

Sing the song passing the egg to the right on word “right” and left on word “light”

Clap on word “choose”

Combine passing and clapping

Sing the song again and have them pass them in (just like they were passed out)

Keep singing until all the eggs are back in the basket

What's Missing?- Review Idea

A review game I used for "As a Child of God" but it could easily be adapted and used for any song...

What's Missing?

 On this board I had these items hung up using magnets

(some with magnet clips, others with magnets taped to the back of them)

The primary children looked at the board for 30 seconds to begin with (usually while I gave instructions) and then the board is removed  (we took it behind the piano by a presidency member who was helping).  

A child was chosen to come up and remove an item.  

We sang the review song while the item was being picked.  

When the song was over the board came back out.  

If a child figured out what was missing, they would raise their hand.  I would call on them and if they got it right, they got to pick the next item to take off the board.  

Whatever item was found missing would have a song to sing with it.

We did not add the item back, but kept it off, so the game got easier as it went on, but the children were anxious to know what song went with each item. 

A number of them were for the review song, but others were wiggle/fun songs.  Some items were for the review song but would indicate a certain way to sing it.  It was fun and low prep.  Gather random things from your house and put them on a board.  I have seen this done on a tray but with the size of my primary it wouldn't be possible to be seen by the entire group unless I had it up.  It worked well and both Junior and Senior had a great time!

Here is the list of what my items were and what they stood for:

“As a Child of God” song items:

Heart

Hammer

 CTR ring

CTR magnet

Smiley face ball- catch and sing (up on the air don't sing, in my hand do)

Boy and girl- boys sing, girls sing

  Flashlight- lights out

Car-fast

Other songs:

Maraca (“I Wiggle” 271)

Bird (“In the Leafy Treetops” 240)

Nest (“Birds in the Tree” 241)

Sunglasses (“Popcorn Popping” 242)

Glove (“My Hands” 273)

Duck (“Give Said the Little Stream” 236)

Snowflake (“Rain is Falling” 241)

Sun ("Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam" 60)

Rolling pin (“Roll Your Hands” 274)

Sock (“Once There Was a Snowman” 249)

Spider (“Oh, How We Love to Stand” 279)

"Rain Is Falling"

Is has been raining here.  And this made me break out my rain cloud.  I made this 10-12 years ago and so my directions on how to make it may be a little vague.  Also, the prop is not in perfect condition anymore, but I think it has held up pretty well considering its age! :)

Here is what it looks like.  It's pretty big in size (see measurements below) and you use it by sticking the nozzle of the spray bottle through the hole from the back and spraying.  

I use it as a wiggle song.  To get the children's attention first I usually walk around the room spraying the bottle.  If they are not paying attention, they sure will be when they feel the mist of water! (I use the mist setting on the bottle.)  Then I ask about it raining and if they saw, felt, heard the rain lately... Then I start to sing "Rain is Falling"  I usually have to sing it a couple times to get through the whole primary room.

 

 Here are the rough dimensions of the cloud and dowels used to hold it up.  I hand sketched a cloud from a poster board and then cut it out.  I then used a long dowel (just under .5" thickness) and cut it to fit the cloud.  I then hot glued the dowels to the poster board.  I also cut a hole to fit the nozzle through. (see dimensions above for my cloud)

 

 I also used hot glue around the edge of the hole so that the water would be repelled a bit and wouldn't warp the poster.  It has definitely done the trick!

 

For the front, I used batting.  I hot glued it on making sure to leave bumps and billows in the middle section to make it look fluffy.  Then trim around the edge and you have it- your own rain cloud!

Treasure Chests- Choosing Helpers

I love to have creative ways of choosing helpers in Primary.  

I explain how and why I do this on this post here:

Coconut Unbrellas- Choosing Children

Here is another idea I have been using and am almost through...

I have had these boxes for years.  I originally purchased them from either Michaels or Joanns.  I then stained them, hot glued jewels, and added a vinyl of Junior and Senior.

The coins I purchased on clearance but you can find them at party stores or in the party section of stores.  I use the labeling system that I explain in the original post about choosing children found here.  The white strips above on the coins are those labels with the names covered for privacy issues. :)

When I introduce a new choosing idea I like to relate it to the children or to a song.  With this, I told them how much I treasure my time with them and that they are the real treasure to me.  You can never tell them enough how special they are!!!

Skittles Review Game

We did a very easy review after learning a song today.  After teaching the children the song, and feeling like they had it down pretty well, I needed to have a chance to repeat the song a few more times.  I called up one child and had them close their eyes.  Then I picked out a Skittle from my bag and showed it to the group.  I then proceeded to put it in the child's mouth (note: make sure your hands are clean for this activity!)  We sang the song and the child with the Skittle had until the end of the song to determine which flavor/color they had been given.  If they guessed it right, they chose the next song, if they were wrong, then I chose (I picked the song we were reviewing).  Simple and effective.  Everyone wanted a turn!

"As a Child of God" Melody Map (3rd verse)

Hey there!  Sharla Dance did an awesome instructional page and video on melody maps!  You can view that here:

I loved the idea but wanted to incorporate it into the 3rd verse.  Here are the files for the melody maps I made for the 11x17 size.  The first 2 are the 3rd verse and the last 2 are the chorus.  I used the same symbols and colors as Sharla uses on her page.  She is a genius!  I got the the 3rd verse inspiration from Heidi on the LDS Primary Choristers Facebook page.  Thank you ladies for sharing your talents!

 verse 3 map 1

 verse 3 map 2

 chorus 1

chorus 2

"As a Child of God" with rhythm sticks

Back in November we had a chorister get together and we were able to come up with a way to teach a song and share it with the other choristers.  I got to do "As a Child of God."  I am sooooo glad this was my song because now I am all ready for the beginning of the year!

Here is what I have planned!  I decided to give rhythm sticks a try and I got A LOT of inspiration from Sharla Dance.  I hope all the notes make sense!  If I have some time I will try and post videos later in the month... :)

Here is the poster I will use for the chorus to help with introducing the rhythm sticks.  I had it printed on 11x17 and laminated it.

I will try and post a video later... 

but until then this hopefully explains the chorus:

3 pats on the legs starting on "child" 

("as a" is the pick up so you don't do anything)

The clicks in the air start on "God". 

Do the pats and clicks through the word "light". 

Starting on "Holy Ghost" do the leg slide on one leg 

then "helps me" on the other. 

"know what is right" do 4 clicks on a rainbow above your head

Update!!!! 
Here is the chorus video

Here is another version of the song "As a Child of God" that has a little more for a pianist to play.  

Thought I would share!
(permission given by Julie Mace Van Ry)

Pick a Pumpkin

This is a fun Fall time game.  I am using it for a singing time around Halloween, but it could be used anytime in the Fall.  I have 12 mini pumpkins, but you could use paper pumpkins or fake ones.  Really anything pumpkin shaped would work! :)

I am using the 9 songs for the Children's Songbook that have been transposed into a minor key by the very talented Tifany Hoecherl.  She originally posted them a couple years back on the Facebook page for LDS Primary Choristers.  I asked her for permission to post them here, and she graciously agreed!  Thank you so much Tifany for your hard work!!!  She also wrote new lyrics for some of the songs.  You can decide what works for you,  the original lyrics or the new ones. :)

DO AS I'M DOING

FUN TO DO

HEAD, SHOULDERS, KNEES AND TOES

HINGES

IF YOU'RE HAPPY

ONCE THERE WAS A SNOWMAN

POPCORN POPPING

RAIN IS FALLING ALL AROUND

SING A SONG

 Out of the 12 pumpkins, I put a star on the bottom of 3 of them.

 Next line up all 12 pumpkins and mix the 3 starred pumpkins in.

Call up a child to pick a pumpkin.  If they pick a pumpkin with a star, they get to pick the song (a treat!) and if they pick a non-star pumpkin then they get to play name that tune (a trick).  Have the pianist play a few notes of one of the songs in minor to see if the primary can guess it.  Then sing the song. This would be a fun opportunity to explain the difference between what major and minor sound like.

"Your Happy Birthday"

Another birthday idea!  

This birthday song is a favorite for the kids mostly because of the phrases:

ZIPP-A-DEE-AY

&

HEIGH-DEE-HO

Why not make those phrases even more fun?!?!?!

This idea is not mine... I found in via the Facebook group LDS Primary Choristers.  A very creative lady by the name of Sheryl came up with this and I knew I had to add it to our Primary's singing!  She provided smaller cards than I wanted, so I made my own and thought I would share...

Supplies:

plain wood box

plastic containers (you could use mason jars instead)

2 pinwheels

cake topper banner 

I painted the box white... or you could leave it plain.

I cut vinyl with the original phrases and my daughter painted them on :)

Next drill some holes to fit the dowels and sand the box to give it rustic feel.

You will need to print the phrases... These are the ones I am using (all thanks to Sheryl!) 

If you would like a copy you can find it

 here.

 

 There are 8 phrases for each original phrase.  I printed them on 2 different colors so I could keep track of which goes with which.  Each color pack goes in one of the 2 containers.

 

How to use:

The birthday child(ren) choose one phrase from each container. (So they choose 1 green and 1 pink card).  Each of those cards replace a part of the song.  See the picture below.  Sing the song like normal and just change the phrases when you get to them.

 I use the clip magnets  to put the phrases on the chalkboard because I have the birthday children do something else while we sing... I'll share that later... :)

Here is the front view:

 

Here is back:

I printed the first page in a 3x5 size and glued it to the back.

Enjoy!

Primary Go!

I was thinking that we needed a fun day after the Primary Program.  The children have worked so hard and need to have a down day.  

I also have a need to sing more of the fun wiggle/nature songs that I feel we don't get to very often.

  Thus was born Primary Go!  

I got the initial idea off of the LDS Primary Choristers Facebook page. There were a few ideas of using the popular Pokemon Go game to review songs.  I decided to use the game portion idea and combined it with amazing super powered characters from the Children's Songbook to give you Primary Go! (my version:)

SET UP:

You will need to print all the cards you are planning on using. 

DOWNLOAD HERE!

 There are 14 character cards and you can pick which ones fit your Primary.  

Also there is a Primary Go back of the card. 

 That is there to be printed for as many cards as you have and attached to the back of the cards.  

I would laminate for durability.  

I also have a map of my ward building I got years ago when I was Primary Secretary which I used as a map to the hidden cards around the building.  I printed off 8 different ones with a red star in the place the card is located. 

If you don't have a map, you could draw a rough sketch of the building or just have word strips that say "kitchen", "stage", etc.  That way they know where to go to find the card.

Get to church a little early to set up the cards in their places around the building.  Note, please be respectful of the chapel, classes in session, other wards that may be meeting, etc.  Make sure when you plan out your map that you place the cards in places that are easily accessible and are not disruptive to others attending church.

HOW TO PLAY:

It's basically a treasure hunt game.

Choose a helper.  The helper chooses a map and with their teacher or other adult leader, they go on the hunt to find the card.  When they return, read the card and sing the song.  

Each card is labeled with a character from a song from the Children's Songbook.  Below the picture is a "superpower" that the character possesses, and in some cases it is something we would all like to have! :) 

Some cards have a note on bottom for others that share the power. (ie- rain- "Rain is Falling" shares it with sun, wind, leaves, and snow) These are variations of the song or other objects included in the song. 

 Sing the song listed and while you are singing, send out the next child to find another card.

Sing the song as many times as it takes for the child to get back.  Then switch songs and start again!

Simple and easy!  I am planning on trying to do 8 different songs (one for each class).  We will see if we will get through all of them or not...

Have fun!

"I Believe in Jesus"- song chart

This has been one of my favorite songs I taught this year.  

It is simple and beautiful, perfect for Primary!

This is how I taught it:

First I printed the song chart I created here.

Bring in 7 large (21in) paint sticks- the ones that are used for the 5 gallon paint buckets. And also bring tape to stick the pictures onto the sticks.  You will fit 2 pictures on a stick except for the last phrase in the chorus which has 3 small pictures (as shown below).  You will have a total of 2 sticks for each verse and 3 for the chorus.

I called up one child and had them pick 2 of the pictures from off the table.  I then handed him/her one of the paint sticks and placed the pictures picked into the right order. (The first time I had to bring up another child to help hold a second paint stick).  Then we "ooo"ed the song until we came to the pictures we had up and sang those parts. (Lots of "ooo"ing the first few times but I like that especially with a song they have never heard.  They get to hear the melody and are still learning the song.) I would then call up another child and would add 2 more pictures, repeating the "ooo"ing.  We continued with this until we had the whole song up and we sang it all the way through.

I would stop and give them hints and I would throw in a few hands signs to help them remember as we sang it.  I also liked pointing out how the melody moves while we sing the first "I believe in Jesus". 

After we completed in getting all the pictures on the sticks, I put them all up on the board and sat the helpers down.  We then played a hot and cold game for the remaining few minutes.  The children learned this song in ONE week!!!  It was amazing to see them pick up on it so fast!

Lastly, bear your testimony.  I liked being able to tell them that you can bear your testimony through song and this song is a strong and simple testimony of our Savior.  The words are something they can understand and relate to easily.

Thank you to the artists who wrote this song and made it available. Here is the link to the song.  You will need to scroll down to find it.  The list is in alphabetical order.  This song was submitted to and published by lds.org.

And here is the YouTube video someone put together of this song:

Primary Program Songbooks

Sometimes teachers need a little help with the program songs.

I made a booklet with the songs and the Primary Presidency added the program to it.  That way the teachers can follow along and help the children during the program.

Why print the words for teachers?

• Adults don't learn as well or as quickly as children. They may struggle to learn all the words.
• Some adults may have medical or mental conditions that limit their ability to memorize the songs.
• Teachers or leaders may have been called into Primary later on during the year and so they did not have an opportunity to learn all the songs.
• Some teachers are converts and this is their first time in Primary.  This helps them to learn the songs.
• Some teachers who may know all the songs, like to be able to see the music and words. I have had requests for songs from some of my best teacher singers/participators. :)

I am sure there are other reasons as well, but these are the ones that I personally thought of when supplying the booklets.  We have been practicing with them the past month and will use them this Sunday for our Primary Program!

 

Primary Olympics

This is one of those singing times that you are so grateful for the talents and generosity of others.  Most of what I used I got from In the Leafy Treetops, her singing time she made 4 years ago for the Olympics.  It is wonderful and I used a portion of her genius to make my own singing time.  It took us 2 weeks of all singing and sharing time to get through what I did... and there are so many more ideas on her post than I didn't have time to do.  Jump over there and get some inspiration!

Here is what I did with her awesomeness!

 First I made this poster.  Again this idea I cannot take credit for... Tammy on "LDS Primary Choristers" Facebook page came up with the design for this tri-fold poster.  We have 8 songs for the program and I put all 8 titles on the poster sides and then made the middle Olympic-ish... :)

 Also for decor, my friend Karen had just had a b-day party for her son and let me borrow the flags she bought and the rings she made.  (They are made of Styrofoam wreaths from the dollar store and then wrapped with crepe paper... So cute!!!)

For each song I chose one Olympic event:

For synchronized singing, I used the primary position cards found on Camille's Primary Ideas.  I chose a slower song for this one so that we could move in a relaxed fashion.

song: "If I Listen With My Heart"

 For fencing fun, I passed out straws to each child.  The package was from the dollar store so they were very cheap!  I gave instructions on proper behavior and use of the 'sword' and then gave them a second to pare with their neighbor... just to get it out of their system.  Then I had them hold them up and follow me in conducting to the beat.  I chose another slow song for this one and it had a 4/4 time signature.  I also lead a modified rhythm so that all could participate.

song: "Faith"

 Table tennis was fun!  I held up ping pong paddles, one for each side of the room.  I picked a song that dealt with service.  I explained that in ping pong sometimes you serve and sometimes the other person serves.  Just like in life, sometimes the Lord asks us to serve others and sometimes he steps in to help.  Also, sometimes we are on the receiving end of service.

song: "Holding Hands Around the World"

 In torch relay, I did as suggested and passed the torch around the room with the lights off.  Then when the pianist stopped playing the song, the child holding the torch gave the next word in the line of the song.  Then we would continue singing. This was good to work on trouble spots that we had in a song.

song: "I Love to See the Temple"

 Boxing beat was a winner, mostly because I borrowed these gloves from a friend of mine!  I had a child wear them and they, along with the entire primary, followed punching moves I made.  I picked a short song for this one and all we needed were 4 moves done in slow rhythm to get through the song...  punching twice with each hand.   

For example: front punch right x 2, front punch left x 2, side punch right x 2, side punch left x 2, slide punch right x 2, slide punch left x2, uppercut right x 2, upper cut left x 2

song: "Stand for the Right"

 

Weightlifting!  A child came up to the front and pretended to be a weightlifter.  I did an example for them on how weightlifters move very slowly as they lift the heavy weights up above their heads.  I then had them mimic moving the 'weight' up and down as would a weightlifter.  When the weight was low we sang soft, as it went up we got louder.  This weight was one I made years ago for a party photo prop.  It is a large dowel with foam balls on either end... all spray painted black.  It's fun! :)

song: "Praise to the Man"

For the relay, I used the idea of splitting the primary into 4 sections.  You have each section sing a different part of the song.  It's like passing a baton to the next group to sing. This worked great for our song because the 2 verses can easily be split up into 2 sections and then everyone sang the chorus together both times.

song: "I Believe in Jesus"

Sailing was kind of a repeat idea I had done to review this song a month or so before.  I had each row of children come to the center of their row so that there was an empty chair on either end of the row.  Then as we sang the song, we listened for key words that repeat frequently that required us to move seats (left or right... I would point the way to move).  I chose the words 'me', 'my', & 'I'.  We moved every time one of these were sung. The movement they made was kind of like swaying on the boat or hitting turbulant water that caused them to move seats.

song: "I Will Follow God's Plan"

After we sang each song the fun way a time or two, our practice was over.  We got serious and sang for the Gold!  The pianist and I judged them honestly and they received either a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal on the song they sang. I had different medals for Junior and Senior. We practiced standing up and being still like soldiers.   Then we sang like we were champions!  And they were!!!!  They each got a Rolo as a gold medal as they left that day. :)

I am so excited for this program and how awesome they are going to be!