"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!

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.

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!

"If You're Happy" and You Know It!

I have been looking for a spinner to help with the song "If You're Happy" cs 266,  but I couldn't find one I really loved.  Sooooo I made one. :)  I used the pictures provided by the church in the sharing time outlines because I love their simplicity.  This is what I came up with!  Hope it helps someone else, but I know we are going to love it in our primary!

note: print this on 11x17 and then laminate it and attach the spinner