Primary Singing Time

The trouble with only singing program songs.....is that you don't know any songs.

2012-02-01T12:28:00.000-08:00

Today I was going through my files looking through old things and organizing visual aids. I didn't realize how much I had, but after 4 years it kind of makes sense. I found a list of songs from 2008 when I was first put in. There were about 15 songs on it that the kids in primary knew. Mostly they were program songs, but there was also the snowman song, a birthday song and Hello! They really didn't know any songs! They had had four leaders over the previous year who spent the whole 15-20 minutes every Sunday only teaching and reviewing program songs. There was no continuity. These children didn't know core songs, or even the program songs from the previous year! I went through the list today and highlighted all the songs they knew.

THEY KNOW 71 SONGS!!!!!!

These are songs that they can sing well, without visual aids, at anytime. This is probably about what a primary should be able to sing, but for this primary it's a huge step! I am so proud of these children and all their hard work learning songs!

The trouble with only singing program songs is that ultimately the kids don't know any songs. In order for them to truly learn a song, you have to sing it well beyond the program and keep singing them into the next year. I know it's hard. It takes a lot of planning, and even with good planning sometimes songs fall through the cracks. But consider this, a song taught once, and reviewed periodically, doesn't have to be retaught. The younger kids learn it by hearing the older ones sing it. And that's how favorites and classics are made, and gospel principles are retained.

Stump the Chorister

2012-01-15T16:25:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I thought of a new game. I've been doing this a long time. I had an idea that since I have been chorister multiple times and spent my childhood in primary I know a lot of songs. I decided to make a game of it.
After choosing a child, they could come up to the front and look through the songbook. They had 10 seconds to choose a song. They read me the title. If I could sing the song on the spot with just the title I got to pick the song (in this case we reviewed As a Child of God). If I didn't know the song, they could pick what we sang.
It turned out to be lots of fun. The kids all wanted to see if they could stump me, and sometimes they did. I couldn't sing "The World is so Lovely" or "We are Different", but I knew "Hum your favorite Hymn" and "Family History, I am doing it". It was fun for me and for them.

2012 Theme "Choose the Right" and some random thoughts.

2012-01-08T09:06:00.000-08:00

As outlined:

January - As a Child of God
February - Choose the Right (Hymn 239)
March - Stand for the Right
April - Choice (Jesus Christ teaches me to choose the right)
May - When I am Baptized
June - Nephi's Courage
July - The Wise Man or a song of your choice (I choose the right by living Gospel Principles)
August - I'm trying to be like Jesus

I am really excited about this year's songs!
We already know Stand for the Right, The Wise Man, I'm trying to be like Jesus and Nephi's Courage. This really simplifies things and gives more time to teach the other songs.
Think ahead to the program. You have at least 9 months to get ready but it's not too soon to be thinking about it!

Some ideas to think about:

You can have a solo in the program, a class or a handpicked group of children to sing one of the songs. This adds variety to the program and is really nice. You can think now of which song you could do this with, or you could save the selection for a song that your primary is struggling to learn. Sometimes, for whatever reason, a group of children just aren't learning the song - despite all your efforts. Don't keep struggling with it, let it go. It will still be in the program, and still be beautiful, but you don't have to beat yourself up about it, assign it to a group or as a solo.

You can also add in musical accompaniment. Include a violin, oboe or another approved instrument in one of the songs. Every ward has musical talent! You can ask a child who plays the piano to accompany or to play a verse of a song before the primary begins to sing. (Be sure to give them plenty of time to practice!)

Ask a family to sing one of the songs. I have often thought how beautiful it would be to have a family sing. Parents and children together.

In the months where you choose the songs, look through the sharing time ideas. There are often suggested songs to use during sharing time that work perfectly for the theme. You can also look in the topical index in the back of the songbook and hymnal for songs that work with that theme.

Check out pages 26-29 in this year's Sharing Time Outline. There are instructions for how to use music in primary and ideas to help teach songs, and teach the gospel through music.

I bought the Clive Romney CD at Deseret Book of this year's songs. I was surprised to find a snare drum in the chorus of Choose the Right. I know it would never work in Sacrament Meeting, but it would be really fun one Sunday in singing time! (with permission of course)

Singing in Sacrament Meeting

2011-12-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

We sang our three songs, and as so often happens there are some kids that really stand out from the rest. There are the cute sunbeams who smile and wave to their parents. There are the older kids who stand sullenly in the back and then there is the one girl or boy who sings out with all their heart and as joyfully as they can (without regard for volume and in some cases tempo).
This time my standout singer was Hannah. An 8 year old girl with a smile a mile wide and heart that's twice as big as she is. She sang out beautifully and made me grin from ear to ear with happiness. She carried the whole primary. Because of her the others sang better, and louder. Because of her the older boys took notice and actually sang. Because of her the ward paid attention and showered her parents with praise for her efforts. Because of her we played the musical measles in primary, and she was covered in stickers from the very start. (please see the musical measles post for instructions)
Thank you Hannah! You made my Christmas merry!!!!

Stars Were Gleaming

2011-12-10T20:47:00.000-08:00

I love this song so much, so when it's finally the right year to teach it I get really excited. This year (after approval) I started teaching the song with two extra verses that were written by Elder Spencer J. Condie (emeritus and currently serving as the Nauvoo Temple President). I am not sure exactly when he wrote them, I have had them since about 1991, I remember that he told me that he felt like there should be additional words about Christ. I wish I were half as eloquent as he was when he told me. Here they are (don't judge me for my punctuation errors!):

In the stable we are able,
to behold the infant there.
Baby Jesus, Mary sees us
as she give him tender care.
Every nation hears salvation,
in sublimest contemplation
for he is the Son of God!

He will heal us and reveal us
all his Heavenly Father's light.
He will know us, he will show us,
he will lead us through the night.
Always blessing, sins redressing,
every tongue will be confessing,
that he is the Son of God!

With this song, all four verses, There was Starlight on the Hillside, and Shine On, we are ready to sing in Sacrament meeting, all songs about light. The light that leads to Christ, the light of Christ, and the light we can share with others. Merry Christmas!

A Primary Theme Song

2011-12-04T12:16:00.000-08:00

I think every primary has a theme song, and as soon as I explain you will know exactly which one is yours.
When I was in our previous ward (before the split) the kids requested "Once there was a Snowman" every Sunday. Sometimes two or three times a Sunday. It was their theme song. I got really tired of singing that song every single week. Anytime the kids could request songs, it was always that song!
When the ward split I tried not to sing that song very often. Today I offered to sing it with the kids and they commented that we never sing anymore. So I told them that was the theme song of the other ward. Then I said I didn't know what our ward's theme song was and a bunch of kids at the same time said "Hie to Kolob". That's true. That's our song. It's requested every week. Sometimes multiple times, even though we have already sung it.
I imagine every primary has a song like that. What's yours?

The Very Best Praise

2011-11-20T15:39:00.000-08:00

Today after church I checked my FB page and this is what I found:

Mati, Aaron gave you the best compliment I think any music leader could ever receive: "Today in primary when we were singing, I felt like I was drinking a milkshake.". Translation: singing time is as good as ice cream. Wow. That's high praise.

What a great day! I taught the last verse of The Spirit of God. I will have the picture of that up soon. I have spent the afternoon working on my pioneer dress (we are having a pioneer Christmas for the ward party).

The Spirit of God

2011-11-15T12:03:00.000-08:00

My primary president has been asking me to teach this song since last year about this time. I feel bad that it took this long. We didn't work it into the primary program so it had to wait until that was over. It turns out that I wish I had listened to her and taught it right away. The kids still aren't great with Shine On, but they picked this up so fast they sounded program ready by the end of singing time! Sometimes the kids really do such a great job that I am speechless and amazed at how quickly they fill the room with the spirit.
I had a lot of opinions back and forth about the "Hosanna" bit. I decided to go for it after my president and I talked about the little kids who couldn't read and would be able to use it for the time being to put that word together in their head. In a few weeks, the hose and Anna will be replaced with the word and pictures of angels.

I would like to highly recommend teaching this song because it was so popular right away and the kids sang their hearts out. The truth is though, what I recommend is listening to the primary president when she feels that a song needs to be taught. This has been an amazing teaching experience for me.

Shine On

2011-11-15T11:53:00.000-08:00

I really love this song. I have loved it since I was a little girl. I like the image of holding my light in my hand for all to see. I started teaching this song about the middle of October. The first thing I noticed is that the notes are a lot higher than I remembered. I don't have a super high voice anymore and it's hard to hit the notes. The second thing was the kids seemed to struggle with it. Two weeks ago I used our CTR beanbag and we played the game where one child waits outside while another hides the beanbag in the room, then the kids sing louder or softer to help them find the beanbag. That gave us a lot of repetition with the song and the kids are singing it better. I want to include it with our Christmas songs for Sacrament meeting so that all our songs are themed around light.
One of the teachers said they needed more words on the cards. More words got me thinking, so when I went to do The Spirit of God last week, I went with a poster.

Stake Conference this week

2011-10-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

Stake Conference is one of my favorite Sundays! I get to sit with my family and soak up the spirit and the talks. I'm getting ready to teach "The Spirit of God" and the primary president's request, so another week is welcome. I remember learning it for the program in the early 1980's, and the chorister had a visual of a garden hose and a picture of a girl which makes "hose" "Anna". I can't decide if I am going to use that, and the only reason I would is because I have never forgotten that very memorable visual aid! I can still see it in my head 30 years later!

Due to overwhelming request: Halloween Songs

2011-10-18T07:02:00.000-07:00

This week we have a primary activity and we are going to sing these to the parents. I would have to say by far the kids love "A mean old witch with a Hat" and "Halloween" (The one with witches sailing through the sky). I remember singing these in primary when I was a little girl. My kids love them, and my primary kids too! My son told me this is the first year we have ever sung them, and I'm glad I finally pulled them out.

I hope you create fond memories of these songs too!

I do have pdf formats too, but I'm having trouble keeping up with email requests so be patient if you want those, and I will get them to you.

Halloween Songs

2011-10-15T06:41:00.000-07:00

Many years ago the Children's Friend published some Halloween songs. I took those to the Primary President for approval and she said okay so we sang some last week. The children loved them. They had such a great time singing them. We do sing other seasonal songs, Christmas, Easter, patriotic songs, pioneer songs, but this was something I had always been afraid to try. I think I always figured that if someone was going to complain it would be about this. The surprise was, the kids loved it and the parents didn't mind! It was so fun! I love this time after the program where we get to play and just enjoy singing.
We are also currently learning "Shine On" and we will be starting "The Spirit of God" soon.
If anyone is interested in the Halloween songs let me know, I'll scan them and email them to you. Please keep in mind, this is a copy of my mother's copy from the early 1980's and that was copied from the Friend. At least it's not a copy of a mimeo!

Choosing Sticks

2011-09-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's so hard to choose which child should be selected to help or to pick a song. Last night I was at our local Lakeshore Learning (it was 10.95 for a package of 36 sticks) store and I picked up these wooden sticks in the shape of boys and girls. I had each child in the primary color one in to represent themself. They wrote their name on the stick part and we put them in a box (I'll make a garden out of foam for them for later). During singing time all I had to do was choose a stick, they are so new, I didn't even know which ones belonged to my kids. I made one up for me too. I like to pick songs. I will also make two up for visitors and probably one that looks like a missionary so we can invite them in and have them pick songs too.

Some extreme marshmallow action

2011-08-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

I had an idea in the middle of the week to use marshmallows to motivate the kids (actually my idea was for jaw breakers, so thanks to Mary for talking sense into me). The idea is that for every song the kids sing well I will put a marshmallow in a bowl. At the end of singing time I would put them all in my mouth and try to sing to the kids. There are 12 songs in the program, they got 11 marshmallows in the bowl.

Singing "Popcorn Popping" was kind of ridiculous. I could barely breathe. The kids though sang their hearts out to see me do this. I probably won't ever do it again, but I got great feedback from the kids - they loved it. Figures.

Fanfare

2011-08-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

The kids sang "Praise to the Man" this week so well I asked our fabulous pianist for some fanfare. The kids loved the praise from the fanfare and understood how proud I was of their singing. I had her play it for me after primary so you get the idea.

Getting ready for the program

2011-08-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Including this week, our primary has four Sunday's before the program. Instead of doing one singing meter for the whole period of time, we're doing something different every week. I pulled out my Nephite and as the kids passed off a song, we put an article of clothing on him. We had two songs they didn't pass off and so they will be working on those next week. It still amazes me how they sing some with such enthusiasm and others hardly at all.

Training

2011-08-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

Training Tips

When singing with the children, there are a few important tips:
1. Look at the children.
2. Smile
3. Cue them at the beginning of the song, and sing with them.

Look at the children at the beginning of the song. It's better to memorize the song, but if you haven't, memorize the first line quickly right before you sing. That way at the moment it's time to sing you can see the children and the pianist and cue them to begin. Making eye contact is very important.

Looking down at the book doesn't tell the children when to begin and they are less likely to pay attention, because you aren't paying attention to them.

When holding visual aids it's still important to look at the children. Memorize the song you are teaching. If you forget a word or line look back at the poster or picture to remind yourself and then look back at the children. If you spend the whole time looking at the poster you are singing away from them. I have seen children not begin to sing until halfway through the first line, because they didn't know when to start, their chorister was looking away. Conducting at them is not enough.

Use magnets, clips or tape and put your visual aids up on the wall behind you so your hands are free, or check out a big easel from the library. You can even hold a poster in one hand, or cards in front of you.

The subs get all the fun

2011-08-03T15:47:00.000-07:00

It's time to start really working on our program which is coming up in September, but I need a sub for this Sunday so the kids may as well have a good time. The songs are on the back of the leaves and birds and all of them are classic, fun songs. I'm glad the kids get to have fun one more time before we spend five weeks prepping for the program. I'll take a sub for the hard parts, I hate to miss a fun week.

The Lord Gave me a Temple

2011-08-03T15:38:00.000-07:00

I can tell I have been doing this for a while, all my visual aids are starting to look the same. The pictures all come out of the Friend, or a picture pack.

I have actually been really excited to teach this song. I taught it as a program song in the 90's and I really loved it. It's fun to teach it again.

I know this song backwards and forwards but sometimes when I'm behind the card I don't know what I'm looking at so I scrawled the words on the back so I know where I am in the song (scrawled is pretty accurate too, I broke my arm and writing with a cast is a challenge).

A quick run through the laminator and I'm ready to go!

The Handcart Song

2011-07-20T13:53:00.000-07:00

This year we are singing for Sacrament Meeting (again) for Pioneer Day. I chose To Be a Pioneer and The Handcart Song. Since I broke my right arm I've really been making use of this PVC stand I have and taping all my visual aids to it. I also taught the Oxcart song and the kids liked singing and marching slowly around the room pretending to be oxen. It got them out of their seats doing something different.
This Sunday we are combining sharing and singing time to do a big pioneer activity outside.

Father's Day Singing Time

2011-06-11T16:57:00.000-07:00

In years past I have always cut the ties of Dad's who come in to the room (having given them old ties to wear). This year I walked around the building taking pictures of Dad's hands and writing down their favorite primary song. It's really easy and you can show the pictures on a laptop or tablet, or print them out. The idea is to have the kids guess who's hands they are, and see if they can recognize their own Dad's hands. I also took pictures of the Bishop and his counselors.

Books in the Book of Mormon

2011-01-23T21:04:00.000-08:00

This week, I taught the Books in the Book of Mormon Song. I made up cards, one for each book (except for Jarom and Omni - totally off the subject I knew a Jarom, if you know one it's probably the same one). The big flaw about the cards was that the song moves too fast to be flipping cards after each "book". The kids picked it up super fast and they really loved singing it, but by the time they really got the song I was tossing the cards on the floor just to keep up with the kids. Whew. My recommendation is, if you make up cards for the song, put more than one book on each page.

If I Listen With My Heart Sign Language

2011-01-22T07:17:00.000-08:00

I have a really good friend in the ward who uses ASL at home and professionally. She very kindly came over and went through the song with me. She wrote down all the signs for me and then I turned on the music, aimed the camera at myself and did this. It's the most awful video I have made (and I look pretty terrible too). We've had someone sick in the house for the last few weeks, eventually I'll replace this with something not so hard on the eyes. I'm not singing here, my throat was way too sore on the day I did this. We only did the first verse, as I am going to use a soloist for the 2nd and 3rd verses. The last two signs I repeated a few times, I hadn't gotten the timing right and I was practicing them. You only have to do each sign once.

The signs in order go like this:

If I had been a little child when Jesus lived on earth
earth - Jesus - lived - if - I - became - child
I Would have liked to walk with Him and listen to His words
what do - walk with him - Jesus - gospel - me - listen
But as I search the scriptures I can hear His words of peace
scriptures - learn - Jesus - peace - I - understand
If I listen with my heart I hear the Savior's voice.
Pay attention - feel - spirit - inspiration

Review Day for If I Listen With My Heart

2011-01-16T15:12:00.000-08:00

I have been teaching "If I Listen With My Heart" with sign language. I'm not doing it as detailed as last year, but it's still a lot of work for the kids. There are some new teachers and kids in the primary and so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to use one of my favorite activities - snipping ties off of unsuspecting men in the ward. I asked the missionaries a few days prior if they would please wear ties I provided and then use them in the activity. I get old ties, or pick them up at the thrift store. (These came from D.I., my favorite place). I pulled them out of my bag and my husband asked where I had gotten these awful ties. The uglier the better.
The missionaries put the ties on and graciously joined us about halfway through singing time. I let them decide how well the kids sang the song, and then cut their companions tie. They each cut about halfway and then we sang again. One of the little boys sang so well I let him cut a missionaries tie. He was so proud that he had out sung the older boys. It was a lot of fun, and a great way to review the song by singing over and over.

At the end I had the missionaries pick a song to sing and we sang with them. I had the missionaries conduct too.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

2011-01-04T11:34:00.000-08:00

We sing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes a lot. An awful lot. We sing it fast and slow. Loud and soft. We sing it backwards (toes, knees, shoulders, head). We sing it in Spanish and German. We sing it opera style, and like pirates.
Then two weeks ago I had a new request - could we sing it like Bach. I went to my Dad and asked if he could write me an arrangement for the song like Bach would have written. He scowled a little bit and said he would have to think about it. Two days later he said he had written an arrangement like Mozart would have written.
He brought me to the piano and I sat down to play. It's a little like a tongue twister, but not too bad. Once I got the hang of it I was so excited to give it to my pianist.
This Sunday for our activity song we can sing HSKT in a whole new way!
I did ask for permission to publish this - and so here it is! If you have Finale I can email the music file, or just print this out. Yes, I am a proud daughter!

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Arranged by Lynn R. Carson

Not just a small primary, a tiny one.

2010-12-28T08:19:00.000-08:00

While visiting my brother's ward this week, I was asked to substitute in singing time. No problem, thought I, a piece of cake. I knew the primary was small and because it's cold here and the kids all wanted snow to go sledding I decided to do the snowball activity. I got white paper and some pens and I was ready to go. I walked into the primary room and stopped short. I had to take a picture because I really didn't believe. There were a total of 12 chairs set up. I was told this was a really optimistic number and that we probably wouldn't have more than 2 or 3. As it turned out they had 3 children, plus my 3 for a total of 6.
There is a real challenge in preparing for a primary that is large, and I have even worked in a small primary (10-15 kids) but this was really small. Knowing that every week each child would have multiple "turns" presents itself a new challenge, making it fun every week, knowing that the anticipation of whether or not the child will get chosen is gone. I had each child fill out two papers and make two snowballs, but it still wasn't enough songs. We had extra time so I taught Stand for the Right to them. It's a quick song and it was fun to do.
It's a lesson learned for me, I need to prepare some ideas for really small primaries, I have a feeling this isn't the only time I'll be substituting in their primary.

2011 Preliminary Schedule

2010-12-13T19:22:00.000-08:00

January
2 Nursery Song Sunday
9 If I listen
16 review (Sing in Sacrament meeting - Love is Spoken Here)
23 review
30 review

February
6 I will Follow God's Plan for Me
13
20
27

March
6 Stand for Right
13
20 Praise to the Man (vs. 1+3)

27

April
3 General Conference
10
17
24 (Mother Dear 206, Grandmother 200 all verses)

May
1 review mother's day songs
8 Faith 96 - Sing in Sacrament meeting, Mother's Day
15
22
29 I Pray in Faith pg. 4

June
5 My Dad 211,
12
19 The Lord Gave me a Temple pg. 153 - Sing in Sacrament meeting for Father's Day
26

July
3 Sing Patriotic Songs/Pioneer Songs
10 The Oxcart 219 and The Handcart Song 220
17
24 Sing in Sacrament meeting
31

August
7 Spirit of God 1 verse
14
21
28 Program Review

September
4 Program Review
11 PROGRAM

Christmas Songs

2010-12-11T06:46:00.000-08:00

It's time for a new post. How could it have been this long? I missed the posting about the last few months!
I taught Stars Were Gleaming for sacrament meeting this year. I wrote out the words nice and simple on posterboard and taught the words to the kids 3 weeks ago. I know that seems early but we are scheduled to sing December 12 in Sacrament Meeting so we really had to get going on the Christmas songs.
We also worked on Christmas bells, and I had a set of pipes for the kids to ring as we sang the song. That has been really fun. Oh, this is a sad, sad, post. I need to get back in the habit!

Singing Meter

2010-08-15T17:27:00.000-07:00

Today we took all the time (no sharing time) and went through all the songs. It took the whole time, but a few of the songs we sung twice. Next week we'll do some fun ones and wiggle songs as well, but now I know which ones need a little work.

On a Golden Springtime

2010-08-15T17:25:00.000-07:00

This was our last song for the program. I taught it by having the kids decide on their visual aids. I had three blank posters and as we went through the words I drew or had them draw the pictures. The visual aids became their own! I had a few pictures that I put in but mostly it was our drawings. It was a lot of fun to do, and really easy! I brought them home and darkened some of the lines up with thicker markers but other than that this was their project as much as mine.

Singing Meters for the Primary Program

2010-07-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

Since our program is on September 12th it is time once again to make a chart to show the kids how they are doing with the program songs. I thought I would put up a list of different ideas for this - some that I have seen or used and others that I just couldn't help dreaming up. I would love to know what you have thought of, I ALWAYS need good ideas!!!!

Fruit Pizza - using a poster board as a background make a pizza in the center. As the kids learn and master the songs add fruit to the pizza. One fruit per song. At the primary activity just before the program make and serve fruit pizza as a reward.
Thermometer - mark the songs along the side of a thermometer on a posterboard. As the kids master the songs fill in the thermometer until it reaches the top. You could vary this by using a CTR shield and filling that up instead.
Marble Jar (this is what I used last year so you can find the pictures on my blog) - Add marbles to the jar as they master each song, when the jar is full they are done!
Dunk the basketball - use a posterboard as a backing. Decorate a basketball court and make a ball that is seperate from the poster. Cut two holes in the poster and attack the ball to a string and run it through the holes around the back of the board, this way the ball slides along the track and lands in the hoop. Move the ball to show the progress of the songs.
Gone Fishing - Each fish represents a song, the idea is to get all the fish into the net.
Shoot for the stars - Make a rocketship that moves toward the stars as they master the songs.
Let your light so shine - Show the flames on candles (each representing a song) glowing brighter as they master songs.
In the barnyard - move the animals toward the barn as songs are mastered.
Putting on the armor of God - add armor to a warrior, each piece representing a song.
Prophet says to plant a garden - Make up a posterboard to look like a garden. Make enough flowers for each song. Attach green ribbon to each flower and cut holes in the poster where the flower grows out of the ground, and where you would like it's finished height to be. Wrap the ribbon through the holes so that it forms a loop. You can pull the ribbon to make the flower grow!
Popcorn Popping - place large popcorns on a tree with the songs written on them. When all the songs are perfected have popcorn at the primary party. (Variation - put leaves on a tree, or birds in a tree)
Birds (songs) into the nest. Variation - rockets to the planets, cars to garages, boats to the dock.
Gathering ideas: Help squirrels gather nuts, or pioneer children gather berries(songs)
Cat in the hat - Each stripe of the hat represents a song, hat grows and gets taller as they master songs.
Complete the puzzle - each piece of the puzzle represents a song. As they master songs the puzzle is put together.

Final Schedule for the Program

2010-07-13T08:08:00.000-07:00

July 18

Review
To be a Pioneer
fun songs (last fun song day before program)

July 25

Sing in Sacrament meeting - To be a Pioneer
Teach - On a Golden Springtime (final optional song)

August 1

Review in rotation so the kids don't get so burned out
The holy ghost (sung by CTR7)
Come Follow Me
On A Golden Springtime
IKTMSLM
Church of Jesus Christ

August 8

He sent his son
We'll Bring the World his truth
On A Golden Springtime
IKTMSLM
Latter Day Prophets

August 15

The holy ghost (sung by CTR7)
Come Follow Me
On A Golden Springtime
IKTMSLM
Church of Jesus Christ

August 22

He sent his son
We'll Bring the World his truth
On A Golden Springtime
Latter Day Prophets

August 29

Final singing time Program Review, sing all songs
Come Follow Me (all verses)
He sent his son
Piano solo by 10 year old boy
The holy ghost (sung by CTR7)
We'll Bring the World his truth
On A Golden Springtime
IKTMSLM
Church of Jesus Christ
Latter Day Prophets

September 5

Program Practice
Saturday practice activity on 11th

September 12

PROGRAM
The singing time closest to my birthday I always use to review and teach new birthday songs. This year because we need the 5th to review the program, we will be doing the birthday songs on the 12th. I am teaching both verses of Feliz Cumpleanos. The first verse they know moderately well, and we learn the second verse.

To Be A Pioneer

2010-07-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

After much blood, sweat and tears, here they are!!!!!

Patriotic Songbook Songs

2010-07-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

I'm home! I'm so sorry to everyone who waited for this. I asked my husband to forward me the file before he flew to Salt Lake, and he sent me an email with no attachment. So here it is, I guess for next year. The songbook can be whatever you make it to be. Put in the songs that you like, most of these are from the Songbook or the Hymn book, and others are favorites from my childhood.

You're a Grand Old Flag

You're a Grand Old Flag,

Fifty star spangled flag,

And forever in peace may you wave!

You're the emblem of the land I love,

the home of the free and the brave!

Every heart beats true to the red, white, and blue,

Where there's never a boast nor brag;

But "should auld acquaintance be forgot:" Keep your eye on the grand old flag!

My Flag, My Flag

My flag, my flag, my country's flag, I love to see you wave;

My flag, my flag, my country's flag, The banner of the brave.

Wave on, wave on forever,

The banner of the free;

Wave on, wave on forever,

The flag of liberty.

My Country

This is my country! I sing it with pride

Whether it's desert sand duned and wide, Mountains with pine trees, land iceberg bound. It's here where my home and my loved ones are found.

This is my country, and all that I do

Should make it mighty, noble and true.

I love my country. Long may it be

A land where my people are honest and free.

I Love My Land

I love my land America

with blue skies big and wide;

I love my land America with seas on either side.

The prairie corn grows tall and green,

the wheat is amber gold;

The rivers run from mountain peaks

where the stars and stripes unfold.

I love my land America,

and as long as we are good,

the Lord will bless America

in love and brotherhood.

America the Beautiful

Oh, beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee,

and crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea.

The Star Spangled Banner

Oh say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there.

Oh say, does that star spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen thru the mists of the deep,

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,

In full glory reflected how shines on the stream;

'Tis the star spangled banner! Oh, long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh, thus be it ever, when free men shall stand

between their loved homes and the war's desolation!

Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heaven rescued land

Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"

And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

My Country, 'Tis of Thee

My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From every mountainside

Let freedom ring!

Let music swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees, Sweet freedom's song;

Let mortal tongues awake; let all that breathe partake; let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong.

Our fathers' God, to thee, Author of liberty, To thee we sing: Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light. Protect us by thy might, Great God, our King!

3 Sundays Away

2010-06-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

I am visiting family and travelling during our short "summer" from school. I prepared 3 weeks of materials even though we will only be gone two weeks. (Two weeks = three Sundays, that's Church math). It's not easy to put three weeks together all at once, I have to say it was a bit exhausting. But now that it's done, I'm glad, being prepared is important and I'm grateful for my substitute for taking on 3 weeks in primary. Thank you!

Week One

I prepared the bag with songs inside. That's a pretty easy review activitiy, you pull the songs out of the bag and sing them. Most of them are program songs or wiggle songs, and two papers say "your choice".

Week Two (which is this week)

Teaching To Be A Pioneer #218
Sorry these are rotated, what a pain.
I have a great substitute, she will do an amazing job, I am having her teach the two parts separately and then we will put them together when I get back. We are singing for the 24th of July.

Week 3, The 4th of July

How often is it really the 4th of July on Sunday? Not often enough, it's super fun to sing patriotic songs! This year I made new songbooks, because I foolishly gave them to the kids to keep last year. This year I'm hanging onto them. I have songbooks and flags for the little kids.

Fathers Day - Fathers, Grandfathers, Daddy's Homecoming

2010-06-12T13:27:00.000-07:00

This year we are doing three songs. Daddy's Homecoming is really popular so the kids wanted to do that one. We are also doing Fathers which we did last year. I added new pictures since we are in a new ward. The Grandfather one was a new one though and I decided to make it look kind of old fashioned. I talked to the kids about black and white tv, and how all dads are old, and so I made the pictures black and white so they could remember their grandpa's watched black and white tv. I got the photos out of the conference issues of the Ensign.

Wiggle Worms

2010-05-30T12:42:00.000-07:00

I found at IKEA in Draper this week these little toys. They are 50 cents each. I bought ten of the snakes, to use as wiggle worms. I have seen this idea before but with my hands the way they are I haven't been making these things. Each one will represent a wiggle song that the kids can pick when it's time. I think I will even put one in the nursery song bucket.
We started Father's day songs today. The kids remembered Fathers pretty well and Daddy's Homecoming they know well. We will start the Grandfather song next week.

Army of Helaman

2010-05-26T06:55:00.000-07:00

For one of our optional songs we are learning Army of Helaman by Janice Kapp Perry. I made up visuals for the chorus and taught that first. Because my hands have been suffering lately I looked online for visual aids for the verses and I found them at:
http://www.jollyjenn.com/flipcharts.html
Actually this site has tons of visual aids for many of the songs, all using pictures from the friend. I borrowed a printer from a friend and printed these out. The kids really took to the song, and after 3 weeks they finally have it!
We have combined our Jr. and Sr. primary now because we have so few children since the ward split. It's really nice to have everyone together and teach just once a Sunday. Also, this allows the nursery kids to come into the primary room for singing time. It's a treat for them and a ten minute break for their leaders. By the time they come into primary they will already be comfortable with the room, where they sit, the presidency and singing time. Hooray!

Bowling

2010-05-06T07:28:00.000-07:00

A fun way to review a song, with a plastic bowling set. The child bowls, and depending on the number of pins knocked down that's the way they sing the song.

1. Stop/go
2. loud/soft
3. boys/girls
4. teachers only
5. change seats
6. turn around
7. hot/cold game
8. singing dice
9. characteristic dice
10. your choice

I saw this in California last week while we were visiting with family. The kids loved it. She used this to review the mothers day song they were learning and the kids hardly noticed they were repeating the same song, they wanted to try all the different ways to sing it.

Mothers Day

2010-05-06T07:23:00.000-07:00

We were asked to sing 4 songs for mothers day. We are singing A Happy Family, I often go walking, Grandmother, and Dearest Mother, I love you. The kids knew three of them and they learned Dearest Mother very quickly. We practiced for two weeks and had stake conference this last Sunday, so hopefully with the visual aids they will do just fine for mothers day.

Teaching Come Follow Me

2010-04-11T18:23:00.000-07:00

This week I worked with the Primary President to put together a sharing time/singing time centered around the hymn "Come Follow Me".
She introduced the first verse by doing a little "Simon Says" game. Teaching them about following Christ. Then we learned the first verse. I laminated the pictures with the words laminated separately. This way I can take the words off as they get better at the song.

She introduced the second verse by talking about how following Christ is simple, it isn't difficult. She had two identical pictures of Jesus and cut one into just a few pieces and the other into lots of pieces. She invited children to come up and put them together. It didn't take long for the kids to discover that the puzzle with fewer pieces got them the same result as the other puzzle but was simpler.

We sang the second verse several times and then went on to the last verse. We are having two girls sing the 3rd, 4th and 5th verses in the program and having the primary hum in the background. The entire group will come in on the last verse. We talked about the rewards that come from living the gospel and following Jesus Christ. We sang the third verse several times and then made crowns for each child that said "Come follow me". We also had footprints to glue onto their crowns.

The younger children had help from their teachers but the older ones made some pretty creative crowns. It was a really fun activity for the kids. This song is meant for August but the timing just seemed right this close to Easter.

New Bishop, New Rules

2010-03-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

With our ward change came a new Bishop. He is really great! Last week I asked the Primary President if she would please inquire if the primary would be singing in Sacrament meeting this year. That way I can get songs and teaching of songs scheduled. Our last Bishop only let us sing for Mother's and Father's Day, so I was trying to be prepared for anything. She came back with Easter, Mothers, Fathers, Pioneer day and Christmas!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today's March Madness went really well. My husband was a little worried that the boys would get rowdy, but actually I was surprised at how reverent they can be when they REALLY want to do something. It was a really nice singing time.

We've now been singing I Know that My Savior Loves Me since January. Today I finally felt comfortable with the sign language. And, today my 4 year old daughter was singing it in the backyard. Sometimes it takes a while, but this is why patience is a virtue.

March Madness

2010-03-17T14:18:00.000-07:00

I borrowed a small basketball standard from a friend. We are going to celebrate some March Madness in singing time this week. I'll put strips of masking tape on the floor, if they shoot from the closest line we will sing a program song, if they shoot from the second line then they can sing a fun song and from the last line they can sing a wiggle song or choose a song. It's something new, so I hope it goes well.

Bean Bags

2010-03-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

My sister in law asked me for bean bags to use at the stake leadership meeting. She plans to give one to every Primary President. As I was making them I realized that this would be really fun for singing time. I could use eight and have each one represent a song. Or, I could use one as a "hide the object" while we sing loud and soft to find it. Actually, I could use them for lots of different things. It was a good idea.

Latter Day Prophets

2010-03-17T14:10:00.000-07:00

I got the pictures from the 12 and 13 year old Sunday School Manual. I couldn't find another picture pack, but the manual had exactly what I wanted. I put some of the cues on the pictures and backed them with cardstock. The kids picked this one up super quick, especially the older ones because this was a program song several years ago.

My Bag

2010-03-14T20:42:00.000-07:00

This morning I was sitting in the chapel with my bag and my plinko board. The new RS president strolls up and say's "look what I thought of!", so I looked and she had put all of her materials in a rolling carry on suitcase. Hmmmm, I thought to myself. How much does my bag weigh? 43 pounds it turns out! Between stuff for my own kids, props for singing time, my songbook, my binder with the "other" music like Scripture Power it was super heavy. No wonder I make my husband carry it, and I didn't even weigh the plinko board. This is why my mother used a wagon.
I have pictures to put up about Latter Day Prophets which I taught last week and reviewed this week. Hopefully once the kids go back to school tomorrow (hooray - after a long track break) I can get things up again.

A split in the Ward, and a Choose and Review

2010-02-28T17:20:00.000-08:00

Today's activity was using my poster with the musical staff on it. I put songs on the back of 8 notes and put the notes on the piano. A reverent child was chosen and they picked a note and put it on the staff. Then we sang the song. When we had sung all 8 songs we had the pianist play the song they had "written".

This last week our ward split. We have had the most enormous ward, and while it was wonderful to be with so many great people, a split was not a surprise. Our ward and another were split from two to three wards. Our primary now consists of a small group from my ward and a larger group from the other ward. I got a list of songs from their singing leader and most of them were thankfully the same. I tried to incorporate some of their favorites in with ours and it went really well. One of my frustrations is having spent two months on the signing for IKTMSLM and now I need to spend a week at least teaching the signs to the new children. I also want to do activities to bring the kids together and help them feel comfortable together. Change can be just as difficult for the kids as the adults. There are now about 20 kids in Jr. and about 20 in Sr. Primary, less than half of what we had before. This also means that the kids in Jr. Primary go all the way up to 7 year olds and that makes me want to leap in the air with joy. We have readers in Jr. Primary!!!!! Lots to think about this week.

Our Primary Colors Game

2010-02-26T12:00:00.000-08:00

On Sunday we had a really fun review day. I know we should have spent more time working on He Sent His Son, but we have worked really hard since the beginning of January and it just seemed time to sing some fun songs. I left the numbers on the board so that I could use them with other games, but on Sunday if a child spun a white background they picked the song, and if it was red, I picked the song.

I bought the carnival spinner game from Oriental Trading (item #IN-25/5763) it's 19.99. I had a friend do the vinyl work. It's about 22 inches high so it was plenty big enough to see even at the back of the primary. It's nice to have a game that I can use in a lot of different ways for singing time, sharing time, and even family home evening, it's a little softer on the pocket book knowing I can use it in many different ways.

A Valentine for the Bishop

2010-02-14T15:27:00.000-08:00

I asked the Primary President for some extra time today. I have wanted to do a big Valentine every time I have been the singing leader, but never done it. Today I finally took the opportunity to make a big valentine for the Bishop. I had each child write their name and their favorite song on a heart. We glued them all to the board and then sang the songs until singing time was over. This took all of the time in Jr. Primary because they needed help, but there was still some time for sharing time in Sr. It's always fun to sing their favorite songs, they sing so much more enthusiastically.

February 7

2010-02-07T15:56:00.000-08:00

Jr. Primary

We reviewed I know that my Savior Loves Me. We sang Popcorn Popping and Once there was a snowman. Then I started teaching He Sent His Son. I know that we are supposed to be talking less and singing more so now instead of saying the words and having the kids repeat them I sing the words and the kids sing back. I had Preston subdued with my light up wand so there was no crying today - hooray! and I had their complete attention. The trouble is, with so many Sunbeams and no kids over five in the Jr. Primary it really seemed like the only people who were singing were the teachers.
During Sharing Time the president called me out into the hall and asked if they could do anything to help the children sing more. I have been doing singing time - in different wards - on and off since I started college. I've even taken classes in conducting and teaching music so that I can be the best teacher that I can be. Still though, this felt like the moment of reckoning and that I had failed. I know full well that there are two factors here that contribute to why the little ones aren't singing their hearts out.

1. They are only 3. I know that by summertime they will be singing. I know that right now they are watching and listening and some are even singing the new songs at home. They will sing the songs they know from nursery, but they are careful about they new stuff. So the important thing here is patience. They sing when they are ready.

2. There are no "older" kids in Jr. Primary. When there are older kids that sing, it really helps the little ones to sing. They want to be like the older kids, and when they are singing the younger kids really sing much better. We have no room for older kids in the room and we don't have anyone in Jr. Primary older than 5. So no older kids, and no readers and it really affects the singing.

I tried to explain this to the president, but I still felt like I was defending myself. I know the answer is patience and persistence. It's a lot of new songs for those little ones all at once, not only are they learning the new songs but they are learning the regular primary songs that we sing all the time that they weren't exposed to in nursery. It's a lot for them, but they are quick learners and I know that before too long, they will be singing confidently. I guess I had a "bang my head on the piano" moment today, kind of frustrating.

Sr. Primary
As the older kids were coming in from classes my pianist was playing IKTMSLM (Sorry for the abbreviation, it's just a really long title). Some of the kids started to sing and do the signs. So without singing, I signed with them. By the time we were ready to start opening exercises we had gone through the whole song twice while the kids sang softly and I signed with them. It was really cool.

The older kids picked up He Sent His Son really quickly. We went through it several times. I noticed two boys in the back (one of them was my son) who hadn't opened their mouths at all and I handed them the words and gave them the opportunity to sing in front of the entire group. They did it, reluctantly, but they sang. After that there wasn't a boy on the back row who wasn't singing. I guess I put fear in their hearts that they might have to do a solo.
At the end they had worked so hard, I let them pick a song to sing before sharing time, they picked Love is Spoken Here. My pianist had the music playing as soon as Sam said the name of the song. She knows them so well, it is their favorite song, she already knew what they were going to pick.

He Sent His Son

2010-02-06T07:27:00.001-08:00

I had the 7 year old class color the pictures. It's always fun to see what you get back when you do that, and the kids are proud to see their handiwork displayed for the whole primary. I mounted the pictures on cardstock and laminated them. I'm going to put them up on the board so they are all displayed at once, but later on if they still need them I can hold them and just flip the pictures. I cut out the words for the back of the cards if I ever need them, and also to make it easier to sort them if they get mixed up. The pictures came from the Sunday Savers Singing Fun! CD.
My pianist had the idea to use instruments with the Sunbeams while we teach the song. They get to hold the instruments and help me with the music, hopefully this will help them feel needed and quiet some of the tears. I still have one that is really sad on Sundays.

More on the Janice Kapp Perry Singing Time

2010-02-05T17:25:00.001-08:00

I was talking to my Mom on the phone last night and mentioned how in Sr. Primary we had sung only Janice Kapp Perry songs. She thought that was such a unique idea, and then she recommended that I let her know that I had done that and how much the children had enjoyed singing her songs. Well, that had never occurred to me. So, in an act of boldness, I sent her an email. She wrote me back! And she left some words for the children!

"give my love to the children and tell them to keep singing—that is the easiest way to learn gospel
principles and then later on in their lives the words of the songs can come to them when they are in
moments of temptation, decision or difficult times, and will comfort them. It’s wonderful when they have
a music leader like you who realizes the power of good music in their lives."

Okay, I was touched - and delighted. Now I have a few words for the children on Sunday from Sister Perry (although I won't read the bit about me) directly to them. How cool is that?

A Case of the Musical Measles

2010-01-31T16:28:00.000-08:00

Musical Measles are a fun way to have a choose and review day. I handed sheets of stickers to the teachers, so that they could determine who was singing well. The more they sang, the more "measles" they would get.
We sang some favorites in Jr. Primary and reviewed this month's song. The little ones really tried hard to participate this week, it was nice.
In Sr. Primary we had Janice Kapp Perry day and sang songs of hers from the songbook, plus Holding Hands Around the World. They also did a fantastic job on this months song and did the signing really well too. It was heartwarming.
I think it's fun to note that the little kids are so thrilled to get the measles, and they don't mind them anywhere on their faces. The older kids like to make beards, eyebrows etc. I enjoy their creativity and their enthusiastic singing voices so that they can get measles. I've been doing musical measles for singing time since the mid 1990's. It seems that this simple activity never loses it's popularity.

Keyword Connection

2010-01-31T16:26:00.000-08:00

Last week I used the clown in the cone with Jr. Primary and the Keyword Connection game in Sr. Primary. There is one word on each key, they guess the song that it goes to and we sing! We reviewed I Know That My Savior Loves Me a few times also.

I Know That My Savior Loves Me

2010-01-21T14:46:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPE8i04T_GA

Success! Enjoy!

Technical Difficulties

2010-01-19T07:33:00.000-08:00

I took a video of the kids in Sr. Primary this week signing I Know that my Savior Loves Me. I figured it would be a great way for me to gauge their progress. In a few months I'll take another video of them and then I can show them how much they have improved. Unfortunately I'm having a lot of trouble uploading it - so stay tuned.
I finished the second verse with the Sr. Primary and the first verse with the Jr. Primary. There was a lot fewer tears on Sunday in Jr. Primary but we still went through about 6 fun songs before I had their attention enough to teach. January can be rough.
So, I have two more weeks to get this song down before we begin to add on. I gave the 7 year old teacher the visual aids for He Sent His Son, so that her class can color them for me. I should get those back next Sunday, and then I can get those all laminated.

The Primary Feud

2010-01-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

I know it's not a Singing Time activity but Sister Sharp put together this Primary Feud board and I was so impressed I had to take pictures. She set it up like the old game show from the 1970's (minus the kissing) and had her class do everything. She surveyed ward members and put the answers on the boards, just like they did in the old Feud. It was wonderful. The kids really got the hang of it quickly and I think they liked looking for multiple answers to the questions.

The Sunbeam Debacle

2010-01-10T15:17:00.000-08:00

Let me just say.... 36 Sunbeams!!!!!

I was sick last week. I missed the first and vitally important first Sunday for these Sunbeams. What a mess.
I got into the primary room a little later than normal this morning because my music stand was up by the Organ in Sacrament meeting and I had to grab it on my way to primary. I walked in and there were 5 or 6 kids bawling. Full on bawling I might add. There must have been another 10 who were crying "I want my Mommy!" and then those brave little souls who had silent tears running down their cheeks.

The first counselor bravely began opening exercises with no microphone and a whole lot of chaos. Somehow we got through a prayer a scripture and a talk which nobody heard. Then she turned and looked at me, and I know there was a gleam in her eye, and she introduced music time.

Oh yes, I knew I was in trouble. I had planned to teach I Know that My Savior Loves Me, the chorus and first verse in sign language and I'm behind because I was sick last week. I knew I wasn't going to get through it. I stood up, told them I just couldn't sit anymore and that we had to wiggle. We started off with the Snowman song, followed by the Sunbeam song, Do as I'm Doing, and Book of Mormon Stories. By this time no one was crying (isn't music wonderful) and I had their attention. We started with the chorus and went through that several times with the signs. They did really well. I think it helped that their hands were busy.

To give them a little break before sharing time we sang Kindness begins with me and I hope they call me on a mission. Somehow, by the power of the spirit, no one cried all through sharing time. It wasn't until they had to go to class and they realized that change was happening again that tears started to flow again. What a day. I'm making cinnamon rolls, serious comfort food!

In Senior primary we got through the signs for the first verse and chorus so I am back on schedule with them. I purchased the I know my Savior Lives selected songs in ASL DVD, available at distribution, this is where I got the signs from.

Getting back to business - Tentative Schedule for 2010

2009-12-30T12:20:00.000-08:00

What follows is my tentative schedule for next year. I know there will be a Stake Conference, probably in February and I don't have the date on that yet. Other than that what follows should get me through the program songs and Mothers and Fathers day. Please keep in mind that I have to teach all the songs by June, because of our year round school and extreme summer heat we lose about 1/3 to 1/2 of the primary during the summer months as they travel to cooler climes.

January

3 Begin I know that my savior loves me (Jr. Primary just the chorus) In Sign Language
10 2nd verse with Sr. Primary, 1st verse and chorus with Jr.
17 review with Sr., teach 2nd verse to jr.
24
31

February

7 He Sent His Son (First half with jr, whole song sr.)
14 2nd half jr, review sr.
21
28 Teach Latter Day Prophets (We know Follow the Prophet, so I'm adding this in)

March

7 Teach On A Golden Springtime (3 verses - optional song for August)
14
21
28

April

We know The Church of Jesus Christ in English and Spanish.

4 General Conference
11 Teach Come follow me (not sure how many verses yet)
18
25 Start Mother's Day Songs #202 and 203

May

2 Review Mothers Day songs
9 Sing in Sacrament meeting Teach Keep the Commandments (optional song)
16
23
30 Teach The Holy Ghost

June

6 Begin Father's Day Songs #209 and 210
13 Review Fathers day songs
20 Fathers Day Sing in Sacrament Meeting
27

On the days that I am not teaching a song we review the other songs. Each program song needs to be sung at least twice a month. Add them in as opening or closing songs, as long as you keep singing them. Also keep singing last years songs, add those in as often as you can because the kids love to sing them.

A New Year's Singing Time

2009-12-28T09:20:00.000-08:00

A New Year's Singing Time

Subtitle: My brother makes me look boring

Nat sings Stars Were Gleaming
"Hearken We Can Hear it Still"

Nat said he wanted to do something really spectacular. He did. Inside each balloon suspended from the ceiling was confetti, a song and small gifts like plastic whales, lizards and snakes. He attached pins to the end of the Nerf darts so the child would shoot the balloon, the confetti would come out they would search through the confetti on the floor for the song and the "gifts". The children were sitting away from the balloons so they wouldn't get hit.
Shaking the bells during Jingle Bells and Christmas Bells.

While this is something I will probably never do, it certainly was a huge hit. My son who is impatiently waiting for the computer is suddenly disappointed that I won't be doing this. I can see my Dad at the piano watching in amazement at my brother. I think I have forever lost the coolest singing leader in the family title. Way to go Nat!!!!
(As a side note, he brought his vacuum from home and had quite a time vacuuming before coming over for dinner).

The Gift of Song

2009-12-20T13:24:00.000-08:00

The photo shows the gift bags on the bottom and some of the items that I used in Jr. primary. My husband wouldn't wear the tie, but it was perfect for my activity today.

In Junior Primary this morning I had gift bags with items in them. Each item corresponded to a song. I had a child pick a gift bag, figure out which song it went to, then we sang the song.

popcorn - Popcorn Popping
Shepherd - Shepherd's Carol
Family photo - The Family is of God
Necktie - Daddy's Homecoming
Hand - My Hands
Book of Mormon - Book of Mormon Stories
Bell - Christmas Bells
Telephone - Called to Serve

In Senior Primary we gave the gift of song. I admit that the original idea came from Sugardoodle, I changed it up quite a bit though. We all had a hymn book, we picked one Christmas song and sang it once as a practice. Then I sent a child out into the hall to find someone and bring them back in because we had a gift for them. Then we would sing the song we practiced for that person. It really was a gift! The people the kids found were surprised and bewildered (mostly Dad's with babies, and a bishopbric member) but it was fun to give a different kind of gift. Each time we picked a song, we would practice then sing it to someone. We didn't get through as many songs as we usually do, but today really was special.

Christmas Carols

2009-12-15T08:37:00.000-08:00

In senior primary this week I made 50 Christmas songbooks. There were two pages double sided with Christmas songs from the primary songbook, Hymn book and some assorted favorites. We sang carols for 25 minutes, it was wonderful!

In junior primary I brought in my little 3 foot tree. I plugged it in and had the kids decorate the tree. Each ornament had a song written on it, so we would sing the songs as we decorated. It looks a little sad, after all we only hung 8 ornaments but it was a lot of fun. We had the nursery kids in again and so we also sang the sunbeam song and a few others that they knew.

Jingle Bells and Snowballs

2009-12-06T12:49:00.000-08:00

For Senior Primary, I wanted something fun. I had prepared to do the same thing in Sr and Jr, but I just needed to do something different. I pulled out the snowball idea that i've read about a bunch but never used. I got one sheet of paper for each child and had them write a song they wanted to sing today. I gave them 30 seconds, because otherwise they would spend all singing time choosing. I had them each crumple the paper like a snowball, and throw their first snowball of the year (towards the front of the room). Then I picked up one snowball at a time and we sang the songs. The results were interesting:
11 votes for Love is Spoken here
3 for I am a Child of God
4 for Jingle Bells
3 for Snowman
2 for How Firm a Foundation
2 for Silent Night
2 for Child's Prayer
and one each for 10 other songs.
Also, this must have been a group of boys in the back, there were 4 votes for "I love Chicken". Figures. I brought all the papers home, so my kids can make snowflakes this afternoon. The snowballs were actually really fun, and it was something different and unexpected. I was worried the kids would get too rowdy, but it was okay.

For Junior Primary we sang a lot of the songs that we can use bells for like Christmas Bells and Jingle Bells. They really enjoyed that. Then I had them help me by guest conducting with my light up oven mitt. This thing has been popular for as long as i've used it. They like the lights turned off and they will sing their hearts out to the waving lights.

The 12x12 Cube

2009-12-02T07:08:00.001-08:00

This is made from a box from the U-haul store. The original idea was to take any square shaped box and cover it with colored paper, but this box happened to be red so it made the job easier. Using clear shipping tape, page protectors are taped onto every side. That way whatever you are working on can be changed in and out. There's nothing inside the box so it's lightweight and transports back and forth to Church really easily. Hope this helps Torri!

A Shepherd's Carol

2009-12-02T06:54:00.000-08:00

This week I taught A Shepherd's Carol. I put all the words up on a poster and then we practiced singing it a few times. Once the kids were singing it well I held up boy and girl signs so they had to take turns. Then we sang it with teachers and children. I had kids come up and hold the signs so that they could choose who was singing. It was fun, and a great way to practice the song. After we had sung it that way a few times, we started practicing singing it in a round. It's difficult because the accompaniment doesn't give anything for the other parts, but everyone was really trying hard and it sounded wonderful. I haven't ever taught this song before, I was thrilled at how quickly they picked it up, and they wanted to sing it again and again.
We aren't singing in Sacrament Meeting for Christmas so we can just have a good time with the Christmas songs.

A Thankful Singing Time

2009-11-22T15:54:00.002-08:00

Today I pulled out a Thanksgiving singing time where you put the pieces of food on the table. I've had it for a long time, and told the kids it was older than they were - so it's vintage. They thought that was funny. We sang mostly songs about gratitude, but they got to pick some fun songs to sing. It was a really fun singing time. I only just laminated it this morning, and I realized afterward that I had never colored the S on thanks. Just one of those funny things.
Next week: Christmas songs!!!!

Rent-A-Child

2009-11-15T10:35:00.000-08:00

This morning we attended and participated in the program at my brothers ward. It was absolutely amazing! All these children from wards all over the valley, and some from farther away read parts and sang songs in the program. They did an amazing job! It is a real testament that the spirit really strengthens and shines through children. The Bishop stood up and thanked all the primaries who had prepared these children by teaching them songs and about our Eternal Families so that they would be prepared to come and provide a program for this mostly elderly ward. It was very touching to hear him thank the children for serving them. I know my testimony was strengthened from this experience, and I hope my children learned from this experience as well.

This week the kids in primary wrote their name and their favorite song on a piece of paper. We sang the song and then the kids had to guess who had written that as their favorite. A few clues had to be given but it was a lot of fun. When they discovered who the child was, that child could choose how to sing the next song - in a style, loud, soft, fast etc. It was really fun. I just can't say it enough - I love NOVEMBER!!!

Another Program

2009-11-13T20:18:00.000-08:00

This week we'll be visiting my brother's ward. He lives in a high rise and his whole ward is comprised of the families in the building. There are two children in the primary. Every year the grandparents in the ward round up their grandchildren and bring them to church for the primary program. Almost all the kids come from a variety of wards around the city, and in our case much farther. Tomorrow morning we go to the program practice and then Sunday my kids will have speaking parts and be singing in their program. This will be our first time participating and I have no idea how it will go. Logistically it sounds like a nightmare, but apparently everyone in the ward loves it because their grandchildren come to them. We'll see.
At home we are enjoying a wonderful November of fun songs with the kids picking songs and reviewing fun things. I have found that my daughter LOVES singing My Heavenly Father Loves Me. I am so glad I taught it, it is delightful to hear her sing that song. November just makes me so happy and thankful! I'm thankful that the program is over, i'm thankful to sing fun songs, and i'm thankful we can start Christmas songs soon. I'm just thankful.

Keep singing those songs!!!

2009-11-08T06:31:00.000-08:00

I got a call last night from a good friend of mine who is a Primary President, they had their review for their program yesterday. She said something that really surprised me . She wished that the kids could still sing Scripture Power. That was one of the songs not reviewed after the program a few years ago and so the kids can't sing it anymore. That was really sad to me, because my kids love that song.
I work really hard to review songs so that they aren't lost and forgotten. I do have two songs that were program songs that I wish the kids still knew - The Holy Ghost and Holding Hands Around the World. I really wish that they could still sing them. If the program had allowed for songs out of the songbook I would have re-taught Holding Hands. As it is, these are the two that haunt me, thankfully the Holy Ghost made another appearance this year!

The moral of the story is:
KEEP SINGING THOSE SONGS!!!
DON'T LET THEM FORGET!!!

A Sunday of Classics

2009-11-03T06:03:00.000-08:00

This week I taught My Heavenly Father Loves Me (page 228). It was sung by the Tabernacle Choir during the last Conference and I got to thinking what a shame it was that the kids don't know that song, especially since it was a primary staple when I was growing up.
I made up some illustrations on a board, the song really lends itself to visual aids, then I made up some signs and I was ready to go. The Jr. Primary and Sr. ate the song up. They learned it so quickly. Nothing like signing to make the learning go faster.
We sang the song several times and then we turned to other classics - Give said the little stream, Wise man/foolish man, Primary Colors, Book of Mormon Stories, Once there was a snowman and Popcorn Popping. It was a lot of fun to sing a bunch of songs all at once that I loved as a child. The kids really got into it and were surprised how the teachers were suggesting songs that they loved as kids. I had never thought to have the teachers pick songs that they loved, I always ask the kids, but the kids were really excited about singing their teachers favorite songs. Wow! I struck accidentally upon a great new idea.
November is such a great month! I am thankful for November every year, when we can learn a song for fun, have singing times that are fun with no rigorous practicing and just enjoy the love of singing. Hooray for November!

Stake Conference

2009-10-31T07:34:00.001-07:00

A short break of Stake Conference the week after the program was so very needed. Back to it tomorrow. I am going to teach a song, a bit crazy I know, but that's the plan. More in a bit when I get everything together.

It's over!!!! It was wonderful.

2009-10-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

It was amazing, it all comes together in the end. The program was beautiful, the kids sang like angels. Wow. It was fabulous.

For singing time we played plinko, if the disc landed in 1 I got to pick the song, if 2 the kids picked the song, if 3 the pianist picked the song and if #5 they got the song in a bag for Book of Mormon Stories. Photos to follow.

Singing Time after the program

2009-10-17T19:37:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, after the program, there is still Singing Time. Impossible to imagine, but I have to be prepared for the singing time after the program. Generally the kids are restless, tired, worn out from singing the same songs over and over and they are ready for something new. I bought this disc game from Oriental Trading and a very clever friend of mine did some vinyl lettering to change it from "Halloween disc game" to "singing time plinko". So the numbers represent either the chance to pick a song, a style of singing or if they get number five the new song in a bag. The list of songs will all be fun songs and activity songs. They need a break. Hopefully they will really enjoy this, and the song in a bag, which I will post tomorrow.

Program Practice

2009-10-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

The kids in CTR8 signing and singing Help Me, Dear Father. Their teacher taught them to sign this song. They also taught it to the primary during sharing time. I wish I could remember the signs better, I have to have the kids come up every time we sing it to remind me.
I had my fabulous nieces there to help. Michelle was in the back of the chapel with the balloons. They go up when the kids sing loudly but reverently, and go down when they sing too quiet.
The kids really watched her to gauge how well they were singing. It was fun.
After practicing the program twice, we went outside for pizza. Yaaay! Everyone was starving.

A Practice (of sorts) and a Photograph

2009-10-12T08:09:00.001-07:00

After Sacrament meeting we stayed in the Chapel to practice going through the program. We only had about half an hour because the next ward began at 11am and so we didn't sing any of the songs while we practiced. After the "practice" we all went outside to take a group photo. The primary does this every year to put on the cover of the program. It's really nice, and the kids like seeing their photo on the program. I was glad I brought my camera because it was a great opportunity for me to take photos of the kids, individually and with siblings and friends. These are great in visual aids!!!!
The last photo is the primary room right after closing prayer.
By the time we got back to the primary room it was 11:05am and the presidency had told me I would have whatever time was left for singing. Ummm, that's kind of a lot of time, with 80 kids sitting on the floor. So we sang. We went through all the songs, and I even had each class perform one song while the rest of the primary was the audience. I have to admit, by the end my voice was croaking and I was exhausted. 55 minutes is a long singing time. At the end I finally gave up on the program songs and we sang about 5 activity songs, then Scripture Power and I handed it back over to the President for closing exercises. Whew. Still, I am extremely concerned that we haven't had a proper run through of the program, the kids haven't even practiced saying their parts, just standing at the microphone. So unless the kids all come to Saturday's practice, I think we are going to be in trouble. I just need to have faith.

Elder Eyring's Talk

2009-10-11T07:07:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I was really touched by Elder Eyring's Sunday afternoon talk "Our Perfect Example". To quote just a bit:

"any believing Latter-day Saint is an optimist about what lies ahead for him or her, however difficult the present may be. We believe that through living the gospel of Jesus Christ we can become like the Savior, who is perfect. Considering the attributes of Jesus Christ should quash the pride of the self-satisfied person who thinks he or she has no need to improve. And even the most humble person can take hope in the invitation to become like the Savior.

"How that wonderful transformation will happen is captured for me in a song written for children. I remember watching the faces of a room full of children singing it on a Sunday. Each of the children was leaning forward, almost to the front of the chair. I could see light in their eyes and determination in their faces as they sang with gusto. You may have heard the song too. I hope it will sound forever in our memories. I only hope I can give it the feeling those children had.

I’m trying to be like Jesus; I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,
“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”²

"It seemed to me that they were not just singing; they were declaring their determination. Jesus Christ was their example. To be like Him was their fixed goal. And their eager looks and their shining eyes convinced me that they had no doubts. They expected to succeed. They believed that the instruction of the Savior to be perfect was not a hope but a command. And they were sure He had prepared the way."

Today, for our opening song we are going to sing this wonderful primary song. We are practicing the program today, hopefully i'll get some photos posted this afternoon.

Program Idea

2009-09-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

At my Mom's ward this week they passed around the Primary Program outline. It was unlike anything I have seen before and so I want to share. The program goes like this:

CTR 5 class: I am a spirit Child of Heavenly Father
Song: I lived in Heaven
Family: I came to earth as part of a family
Song: How Firm a Foundation
Family: Family members have important responsibilities
Song: My Eternal Family
Girl: Jesus Christ made it possible for me to live with my Heavenly Father again
Song: I Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ
Family: Baptism and confirmation are ordinances that bless my family
Song: Baptism
Class: Faith, prayer, repentance and forgiveness strengthen me and my family
Song: Seek the Lord Early
Family: I will strengthen my family
Song: Give said the little stream
Family: temple blessings unite families
Song: Families can be together forever
Valiant A: Prophets teach me how to strengthen my family
Family: My family is blessed when we remember Jesus Christ
Song: As I have loved you (English and Spanish)

As I looked around their primary I realized that with just 20 kids most of them had siblings in the primary and they had divided most of them up into speaking parts that they write with their families, and their family presents their parts together. The few kids who didn't have siblings spoke with their class. I thought this was such an interesting idea especially because this year's theme is about the family. Instead of individuals they will have families speaking. I think it's a great idea! We have way too many kids to do that, but it's a great thing to note for the future.
They sang the Eternal Family song all through singing time and they really struggled with it. They haven't sung it since they learned it a few months ago and that's probably why. It's so important to keep singing the songs, even last years songs and from the year before. It's repetition that helps them learn (okay, I'm off my soap box now).
Enjoy General Conference!!!!

The Great thing about my Mom

2009-09-22T06:57:00.001-07:00

The great thing about my mom is that she is always sending me ideas that they are doing in their primary. (Of course, there are lots of great things about her). This week we have all but two birds in the nest, and the Sr. Primary have just six marbles before the jar is full. We reviewed the program songs and had a great time, but this idea was lots more fun.

Sister Webb reviewing a song using a balloon. The children sing the song. She says the words and pauses and they say what comes next. If they are correct, she blows some air in the balloon. If they are wrong, she lets air out. When the balloon is full (or at the end of the song or verse) she chooses a child to decide whether to let the balloon go, or pop it. The kids chose popping it about half the time. She had the child hold the balloon and use a push pin to pop it. Very popular activity. They loved it.

3 Sundays and counting.......

2009-09-13T16:34:00.000-07:00

We have 3 Sundays left. Two singing times, and the last Sunday is the program review. The Sr. Primary is coming along nicely. The Jr. Primary has a little more work to do.
The idea with the birds is to get all of them into the nest. They all started at the top and have been working their way down. We have two in the nest.
I'm not super huge on endorsing products but these have been wonderful! I have been using the double sided permanent tape to affix the marbles. They stay on and I don't have to make loops of tape during singing time. The removable tape is for the birds - this way I can move them around the board easily. It seems to be about the tackiness of a post-it note and so it's easy to peel and stick where I want them. They made this job easy! All I had to do was sing.
Now, I just have to think of my next trick, for next week.

Have a Very Happy Birthday

2009-09-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

I taught a new birthday song this week. I used four pictures to represent the four parts of the song. It's a really short song and since we only did the first verse the kids picked it up really quickly. I also wore the birthday cake hat, so did Shannon, and the kids thought that was wonderful.

I wanted something to conduct with that was a little different so I used a wrapping paper tube and covered it with scrapbooking paper. Then I made a flame out of yellow paper, stapled it all the way around and stuffed it with batting. I made my own giant birthday cake candle so that I could point to the different parts of the song. The Jr. Primary used the candle for conducting. The Sr. Primary wanted to the hide the candle so that we could sing loud/soft while another child found it. That way we sang the song over and over until they had it down really well. We reviewed the other birthday songs and ironed out some kinks that some of them have and overall it was a really nice Sunday. It's good to review the songs they know and just make sure everyone knows them. It was nice to go over Feliz Cumpleanos again, some of the younger ones really benefited from the review.

And now, it's time to get ready for the program.....

It's Almost Time!!!

2009-08-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

Today I picked out a few fun songs, and a couple for the program that they are working on that needed a little review, like I'll Seek the Lord Early. I let the kids guest conduct so each song had a different conductor. They absolutely love to conduct the songs and it's fun for me to watch them lead the song.
I was looking at the schedule and realized it's almost time to pull out the chart and prep for the program. So the next few weeks will go quickly.

September 6 - Next Sunday is my birthday so we are going to sing birthday songs and learn a new birthday song "Have a Very Happy Birthday" pg 284. I know I probably shouldn't, but the kids know the songs really well and I don't want them to get too burned out singing those program songs too much.
September 13 - This is the week I pull out the motivational posters and we sing all of the songs to see how well they know them.
September 20 - review week
September 27 - review week
October 4 - General Conference
October 11 - This is the Sunday we don't go to class and spend the two hours rehearsing the program. We might do a few wiggle songs, but we'll only sing the program songs and they need to be perfect by then.
October 18 - PROGRAM

Motivational Charts for the Program

2009-08-18T07:41:00.001-07:00

When it's almost time for the program its time to get out some kind of motivator to get the kids prepped for the program. I've seen many different motivators, usually a poster with ice cream cones and the scoops of ice cream are added to the cones as the children improve in their proficiency in a song. When they have added a certain number to each scoop, essentially learning all the songs they are awarded a prize, such as an ice cream party.
Personally, i'm not a huge fan of food as a motivator so the ice cream idea and other "food" related ideas were out for me (like earning toppings for pizza, or fruit toppings for fruit pizza).
This year I traveled over to the local teacher supply store (i'm at my parents this week so it was good old Utah Idaho Supply, but if I had been at home I would have gone to Learning is Fun). I picked up two different kinds of motivators, one for Jr. and one for Sr. I had the marble jar laminated so I can use it again. They only charged $2.00 to laminate a poster, I was really happy about that.

For the Jr. Primary each bird will represent a song, and when the bird lands in the nest they are ready to sing the song for the program so the object is: to get all the birds into the nest.
For Sr. Primary I got the marble jar, although part of me still wishes I had gotten keys and locks, and they had to move the key toward the lock to unlock it. At any rate, There are ten rows/columns which is perfect for the 10 songs we're doing so I'll put a song at the top of each column and as they get better at a song I'll add marbles to that column. Some columns they will fill up the first day and others will take a little longer.

Now for the motivator - what will they get if they get all the birds in the nest and all the marbles in the jar. I didn't want to do food. I thought about trinkets or something from Oriental Trading, I thought about stickers or pencils that say primary from Deseret Book, but I finally settled on a new song in a bag. They loved the last song in a bag so i'll have another one ready when they have completed their charts. We have 10 weeks until the program, one of them General Conference, so only 9 working Sundays. We should be ready.

Families Can Be Together Forever

2009-08-14T11:46:00.001-07:00

While reviewing this song Sister Webb made papers listing family members such as:
hoarse uncle
great grandma
humming sister
cowboy cousin
grandpa (sing low)
whistling brother

Sister Carson, who played the piano also played in the style of these family members. It was wonderful, and the kids didn't notice singing the song over and over. They all enjoyed the cowboy cousin best. (And yes i'm visiting family again - aaaaah it's finally our summer).

Review Week

2009-08-04T19:11:00.000-07:00

This week we reviewed reverence songs. For the Sr. Primary I put one word clues in the jar and they had to guess the song. For the Jr. Primary I put the songs on the back of the animals on Noah's Ark and we would sing the song that was on the back of each animal. Both of these activities came from the Super Singing Activities book and the Super Little Singers book (Covenant).

I put 10 songs on the list and one of them was If The Savior Stood Beside Me. It has been a while since we sang that song and I had forgotten how much the children like it, they really sang and I was impressed how well they remembered the words considering I messed up a whole bunch of times.

I noticed that the children struggled with the Baptism (100) song and I decided to make a chart that will show them their progress as they get ready for the program so that we can work on the songs that they are still struggling with.

Lift Up Your Voice and Sing

2009-07-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

Today I taught a fun song. I spend so much time on program songs it was nice to teach something fun to sing. I told the kids I had a surprise for them if they sang well. This is a really catchy songs and I only used the pictures for about the first four times they sang it. Once they had it down I pulled out my surprise, a song in a bag - see the next post. After Popcorn Popping I used one of the arms that I had made and we sang this song some more by hiding the arm and having a child find it by singing louder when they are close and softer when they are far from it. One child leaves the room and another hides it. One boy pulled his arm into his shirt and stuffed this arm up into it. What a fun singing time. They sang the last three "Lift up your voices" each louder than the last so it was a really great song for a Summer day. We did this about four times so that we ended up singing the song about 20 times, a great way to learn a song is by repetition.
After this I started calming them down with Book of Mormon Stories, I love to See the Temple and Love is Spoken Here. By the time we got to the last song the spirit was back and the room was quiet.

A Song in a Bag

2009-07-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Nat asked if I ever used props for songs that the kids know, or just when I teach new songs. I got the props together for Popcorn Popping, a song they already know really well so they weren't expecting what I did. It was a big hit! In fact, there was applause, that's never happened before. One of the teachers told my husband I was "the Master". Anyway, doing it at home wasn't nearly as exciting as watching the kids faces while I did this. This was their big reward for learning a song today - I taught "Lift Up Your Voice and Sing".

Little Pioneer Children hunting chips for fuel

2009-07-17T12:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my fabulous brother Nat, and his clever ideas, i'm making Buffalo chips for singing time. Not real chips of course but something the kids can actually gather. The chips appear in the Little Pioneer Children song and I love to explain to the kids what chips are and how they were used. Finding real ones would be impossibly difficult (and a little gross) so my brother invented a recipe.

Making Buffalo Chips

Make a recipe of salt dough. I then poured it into a big bowl. I added very dried weeds that I had torn into pieces. I also added a few cups of coffee grounds that were donated by Starbucks (apparently all you have to do is ask and you get them free! although they didn't seem super excited that I was using it to make "poo" if I ever go in again i'll just say it's for the garden).

I also added some lentiles and oatmeal and mixed them up. It looks pretty bad in the picture, and smelled like the dried dill and coffee grounds and salt, not very appealing.

I sort of shaped them into nuggets and placed them in the backyard. I figured the sun would pull all the moisture out of them by early afternoon, Nat baked his in the oven.

This is how they looked after a few hours of desert sun (it's about 113 degrees today).

I am going to have the children gather the chips as we sing. I have this great apron that my mom made when I was a little girl and I often pull it out in July for pioneer occasions. It is a small apron that converts to a bonnet using only two buttons. It's perfect to put on the bonnet, talk about pioneers and collecting chips and berries, then take it off, tie the apron on and I have the perfect place to put the chips as the children gather them.

Guess the Song

2009-07-12T13:04:00.000-07:00

This week I wanted the kids to guess the song. I made up pictures for the Jr. primary that they could use to guess the song. I backed the pictures with cardstock so the kids couldn't see through to the next picture since they were in a stack. Some were easier than others but it was still really fun. They loved that the Book of Mormon was for Scripture Power and we sang it twice. It worked out perfectly with Sharing time because that was about scripture study, so we sang it again before dismissing for class.

For the Sr. primary I made clues for each song. Things like the scripture reference, who wrote the words/music for the song, and clues about the content or principles. They were a lot more challenging but I was pleased to find that they enjoyed the challenge.

It's July! Time for fun songs!

2009-07-06T15:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know i'm a little behind. It's been a holiday weekend and even though we didn't go anywhere I have no idea how the time passed so quickly and how so many dishes ended up in the yard. Somehow though, I managed to find the time last week to get the next three months scheduled.
I don't teach songs for the program in the summer, we are in year round school and the kids are in and out all summer long and I just feel like summer is the time for review. Each song for the program is now scheduled to be sung twice a month. This way it stays in their minds and we still have time to sing lots of fun songs during the summer. I have mostly incorporated them into opening and closing songs, but also reverent songs.
The kids had a blast singing the Patriotic Songs again this week and I let them take their booklets home. They asked to sing "It's a Grand Old Flag" three times! I love to sing it so it was wonderful! We also raced Brother C. at Popcorn Popping - he beat me again. Honestly, I just don't know anyone with fingers faster than his.
We had two kids who are moving this week (it's always devastating and I love them dearly) and the President said that we were going to sing a goodbye song to them. I looked at her blankly. Goodbye song? Okay, I do hello, welcome, birthday, baptism, etc., but goodbye? What's a goodbye song I asked? Apparently, it's when you let the child choose their favorite song. I can do that. They chose the Snowman song - naturally because it's July. So what is a goodbye song? Because I still have no idea what I would have picked. Maybe Onward Christian Soldiers? Maybe Nephi's Courage? Home? Sing Your Way Home? Help!

Patriotic Songs

2009-06-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

It's almost the 4th of July (almost refers to the fact that there is only one Sunday left before the 4th). I like to sing patriotic songs with the kids. This year I made 30 little quarter page books with songs out of the primary book, the Hymn book and also two personal favorites "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "I Love my Land". There are seven songs, which is about perfect for Senior primary, we'll have time to sing all of them. I also have a few dozen flags that they can wave, although I mostly use these for Jr. Primary. With the younger kids we'll probably only do one or possibly two songs, we'll wave flags and sing "My Flag".

I thought about putting the words to the songs on posters but I do that a lot and the idea of little books just seemed so different. At Christmastime I had them singing out of the Hymn book so I know they can do it, and it's nice not to do the same thing every time.
If you want the words to the songs see the post "Patriotic Songbook Songs".

It's Fathers Day! It's Fathers Day!

2009-06-21T14:03:00.000-07:00

Today I asked Brother Gibson to come in to singing time to help out. Although his wife had him in a fabulous shirt and tie, I had him put on a dollar tie from the D.I. We went through I'll Seek the Lord Early and they sang it, but not really great. So he held up his hand and kind of showed how they sang it about so good, about an inch. They didn't know I was going to cut the tie, so they were surprised when I whipped out the scissors and snipped off the end of the tie. His daughter looked a little upset, so maybe next time I should give some kind of warning. Still the primary kids got the hang of what I was doing and they sang their hearts out. After each song he would show how much he thought it was worth based on how well they sang until we had that tie cut off just below the knot. Then we sent him off to Sunday School with plenty of giggles from the kids. He was kind enough to come back for Sr. Primary with another tie and we did it all over again.

Shannon suggested next year we tell the kids that it's fathers day, and he shouldn't have to wear an ugly tie, so we would sing well so that we can cut that tie off and put on a nice one. Sometimes doing the activity is the best way to learn. So we managed to sing I'll Seek the Lord Early a whole bunch more times today, plus some fathers day songs (by the way they sang like angels in Sacrament Meeting) and then I let them pick fun songs. I shouldn't have been surprised, but about 5 of them asked to sing Book of Mormon Stories while running laps. Not on Sunday. So we did I hope they call me on a mission, Golden Plates, Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam, A Child's Prayer, etc. What a fun Fathers Day, next week: Patriotic songs.

I'll Seek the Lord Early

2009-06-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

I taught I'll Seek the Lord Early at the Primary Activity yesterday. I took those Scotch sticky hooks and put them on either side of the room, then I ran a rope across the room about my eye level and hung the pictures from them. It made it really easy to see the visual aids, they weren't wiggling and I could point to them as we went along. The kids picked it up really quickly.

The theme of the activity was Dads. I had fifteen minutes with each group and after we had sung this song a few times, plus some Fathers day songs, I wanted to do some fun activities that we can't do on Sundays. We have two doors in the primary room that lead into the same hall so we did laps jogging and singing Book of Mormon Stories. We sang Follow the Prophet, spinning on "the", and jumping and clapping on "prophet". We did Do as I'm Doing leaping and clapping and moving around. It was a serious workout for me, I did it with all five groups. It was so much fun.

Quarterly Primary Activity

2009-06-15T06:37:00.000-07:00

Our Quarterly Primary Activity is this Saturday and the Primary Presidency has asked me to do a rotation of singing time for the kids (20 minutes per group). I am going to review the Father's Day song, maybe two or three times, they know it pretty well now, but after that i'm not sure. I kind of want to do things that would be fun for Saturday but that I wouldn't do on a Sunday. I have thought about marching around the room while singing Book of Mormon Stories, or being bold and getting balloons to pop with darts (songs inside the balloons). I have even considered teaching I'll Seek the Lord Early. I want it to be fun, because it's Saturday, but I just can't decide what to do.

A Nursery Box

2009-06-09T17:40:00.000-07:00

We are out visiting again! Year round school means that our summer is over in 1 1/2 weeks and my kids spend another 7 weeks in school. So, I made sure to go to primary and take notes about what they are doing in Singing Time. Right away I knew I needed a picture of the Nursery box. The Nursery children are brought into the primary room between Jr. and Sr. primary so that they can get familiar with the room and singing time. They sit in a semi-circle around the singing leader and take turns pulling objects out of the box - and then they sing the song which corresponds to it.

Star - I am Like a Star
Glove - A Happy Family
Book of Mormon - BOM Stories
Doll - I am a Child of God
Leaves - In the leafy treetops
Bag of Popcorn - Popcorn Popping
Raindrop - Rain is falling all around
Smiley Face - Smiles
Tie - I'm so glad when Daddy comes home
Heart - Love one Another
Sponge - When we're helping
Box - Hinges (it has hinges)
Gift - Give said little stream
Duck - Ducks in the Pond
Church - The chapel doors
Hands - My Hands

The nursery kids loved picking out the items and then singing the song. They really got to pick the song! I think older kids would enjoy this kind of activity too.
They were also practicing their Fathers Day song and sang it 18 times between Jr. and Sr. Primary. I have to also say thank you to them because they let me race their pianist in Popcorn Popping and sing like a pirate with them. Sometimes I think i'm as much a child as the kids are.

Reverence Songs

2009-06-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

I saw this poster in the closet last Sunday, the Singing Leader from the other ward put it together. The doors and windows open to reveal the names of reverent songs. I thought it was really clever. I like that it's a church and it reminds the children visually that we need to be reverent because of where we are. I think i'm pretty boring when it comes to reverent songs, I pick one and we sing it. What do you do for reverent songs?

Fathers Day Song

2009-05-28T10:38:00.000-07:00

I had our fabulous secretary take pictures of the dads roaming the halls two weeks ago. It was a lot easier than running around to different houses trying to catch dads while they were home. I hope the kids like seeing their dads.

Our Bishop kindly consented to be photographed, which is great! For the third verse I had a really hard time finding pictures of the Father. There aren't that many, so both of these are of the same scene.

I made 3 different sets of visual aids for the chorus, that way I could flip through them without having to go back. There are different fathers for the other two, that way I could incorporate more dads. I think I need to draw a heart around the dad on the very special love page.

I don't always put all the words on the visual aids, but we don't have a lot of time to learn the song and it is kind of long. This way the older kids can read the words if they need them and the younger kids can see the pictures.

Sing With Me Baptism Music

2009-05-19T18:36:00.000-07:00

I added the music at the bottom of the page.

A Review Week and a Primary Singing Group

2009-05-18T06:19:00.000-07:00

This week we reviewed Baptism. Our organist substitued in primary and I gave him the music from the Sing With Me book (challenging, but I was sure he could handle it). If anyone is interrested i'll scan the music and put it on my blog. He did exceptionally well considering it has four sharps and is generally considered the most difficult primary song to play. Personally, I just think the music flows better and makes more sense musically, I don't know if the kids really noticed any difference between the old and new music.
We also reviewed How Firm a Foundation and I Belong to the Church. I have the schedule now where each program song gets sung twice a month. I only have one left to teach now, and i'm really excited about being done. We're doing I'll Seek the Lord Early at the end of June. Next up, is the Fathers day song and I should have my visual aids finished sometime this week so I can post them. I let my pianist pick the song, we're doing Fathers, I love to involve her any way I can.
I pulled out the rose colored glasses this week, and the magical singing spray for motivation.
We also raced the pianist. We always race with Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, but we were singing Popcorn Popping and Brother C. was just playing so energetically I couldn't help it - we had to race. It was so fun, more fun than HSKT, because your hands are trying move quickly to do the signs, and the song is longer so it made it more challenging. He won. I think with a little practice we will be ready for a rematch when he comes back.
My mom sent me a link this week for a yahoo group that talks about singing time, here's the link if you are interrested in joining: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/primusic/
I started just getting the daily update because it can be a lot of emails in one day. Some of the ideas are really good, and it gives me lots to think about.

Baptism

2009-05-11T06:04:00.000-07:00

Teaching Baptism

I thought I would try something different in teaching this song.

I printed up a posterboard with the words to the song on it. Some of the words were colored, to match signs I made and taped to sticks. For the Junior Primary I would point to the sign with the picture of the word we were singing. In Senior Primary the kids with the sign would have to stand up when we sang their word and then sit down. Words like immersion only come up once, but 'the' came up several times and that seemed to be the word everyone wanted - especially the older boys. They really had to pay attention to stand up at the right time. Also because we kept switching up who had the signs the kids were more than willing to sing it over and over again.

Reverence in Primary

The presidency asked this week if we would be willing to help bring reverence into the primary by starting to sing as soon as the kids start walking in. I was a little worried that I would be singing by myself while everyone got settled, new things can be a little scary, but the kids caught on right away and started singing - it was the grown ups actually that kept on talking and it took them longer to catch on. I am happy to report that both Sr. and Jr. primaries were more settled and even the Sister conducting knew right when to start. It worked! We sang a few reverence songs and then got started. Of course i'm thrilled, now I can add a few more songs to the list every week!

On a Lighter Note

The children sang so beautifully in Sacrament meeting I had to give them a treat - we sang Head, Shoulders, Knees and Stump (slap your stump) like a pirate. And I conducted Give said the Little Stream while snapping, and the kids snapped too. It was a fun treat for working so hard and singing so well for all the mothers.

Choose and Review Apron

2009-05-04T06:40:00.000-07:00

I have had a question about the choose and review apron and if I put it in a post, it will be easier to see the answer.
It's a plain white apron from Michaels, I think it cost about 5 dollars. I used fabric scraps from my stash and sewed pockets onto it. I tried to make them different shapes and sizes, the tooth fabric I tried to shape like a tooth, and the heart fabric I tried to make a heart shaped pocket. I write songs on paper and stick them in the pockets, then the kids can choose a pocket and I pull out the song. I made "girl" and "boy" pockets, because my boys would never choose something out of a pocket with hearts on it, and my daughter would never choose a pocket that wasn't pink or flowery.