Sing for Baby Jesus-Christmas song review

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas up here in the Northwest!  Fresh snow is on the ground, the tree is up, and Christmas Carols are the daily beat to my day.  I hope you are enjoying the season and allowing some time to enjoy quite and peaceful moments where you can reflect on the Savior of the world and His love for you.

Today's activity is inspired by a Christmas story I read to my children each year entitled "The Last Straw" by Paula McDonald.  In it, a family decides to do secret acts of service for each other during the weeks leading up to Christmas.  For every act of service, they get to add a piece of straw to the manager...the goal being to make his bed the most soft and comfy it can be by Christmas.

In our 20 min of singing time, we will do the same thing, but instead of "service", we will earn straw for his bed as we review our Christmas songs for Sacrament meeting next week and make sure we are singing our very best.

Prep:

Several pieces of "Straw": You can use anything to represent straw.  (Yarn, rafia, ribbon, paper, or draw the straw on the chalk board and use pictures for the manager and Jesus)

A Manger: If you do not have a manager, you can use a basket or any container you could tape a picture of a manger to it.  Or, if you have an artist friend, have them draw you one on the chalk board.

Baby Jesus:  You could simply use a little baby doll, a figure from a nativity set, or a picture.

Song list for your Pianist

Presentation:

Tell the children that we have a special job to do today as we put the finishing touches on our Christmas songs for next week.  We will earn a piece of straw for every time we sing and act our best as we work on the songs.  We want to make baby Jesus' bed the softest it can be for him.

Review the songs you have selected.  Be generous with your straw giving.  Never use it negativity...never take any away that they have earned.  Work on Reference, standing and sitting, loud and soft,  watching the chorister.....etc.

Have a wonderful week!

-The Crazy Chorister

Guess Who Christmas edition

Merry Christmas to all of you!  I hope you can take the time to enjoy this season.  My stake is hosting a special nativity event for the community today, so we only have Sacrament meeting....hence, no singing time.  I had an idea come to mind this morning, so I thought I would share it in case this could help anyone out last min.

Remember the kids game "Guess Who"?  Loved that game so much.  This idea is based off of that concept.  I taught the kids "Who is the Child" last week.  If I were able to teach this week, I would have reviewed that song and also had a few more songs in the mix for variety.  This would work well especially if you wanted to sing Christmas songs.

Prep:

6-8 pictures of different people or objects that may be sung about in Christmas songs.  Example: A picture of Joseph, Mary, Jesus, A star, An angel, The stable, a lamb, a shepherd, a wise man, a present...etc.  One picture should coordinate with each song.   (I will just find free "clipart" and label each picture so there is no confusion as to what or who it is)  Let me know in the comments if you would like me to send you the clip art file of the songs I choose and the pics.  I'll eventually add it here, I just don't have it done yet since I'm coming up with this on the fly.

Words to songs your kids may not know

A song chart with pg numbers for your pianist.

Presentation:

Have the pictures displayed on the chalk board.  Tell the children that we get to sing Christmas songs today and that if they listen carefully, they will hear clues as to who the song may be talking about.  Sing the first song.  Have a child ask a yes or no question to begin to eliminate the other pictures to see if they can come up with who you have chosen to highlight in the song (such as, is this a person?  Is this a place?  Is this a boy?  Is this a girl?  etc).  Sing the song again (perhaps in a creative way) and have someone else ask a question of elimination.  Continue this pattern until time is up.  Give the kids a point for every one of the pictures they eventually get correct.

Have a wonderful week and don't forget to join us on Facebook so you never miss a post!

-The Crazy Chorister

Introduction Sunday: My, Oh My...It's Primary Pie!

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!  I'm a bit late getting this out for tomorrow, but I hope, perhaps if it can't help you today, it may be able to help you in the future.

Preparation:

5-7 slices of pie  (I made mine from card stock and cut it from a pie box design that I found in the silhouette design store.  Here is the link to the designer's blog.(http://jamielanedesigns.blogspot.com/2013/10/8-piece-pie-plate.html).

 If you do not have access to a cutting machine, you can make different pies easily by just cutting out some circles in different colors, stacking individual colors on top of a slightly larger circle that is crust colored.  Then cut into pie shape pieces.

2-3 songs:  Pick a Christmas song or another song you would like to focus on and 2-3 different ways to sing those songs and write those on the back of the piece of pie. (only boys, only girls, humming, quiet, loud...etc)  I will be teaching a Christmas song we will be singing on December 22nd for the special Sacrament Meeting Program.

Song list for your Pianist

Picture Prompts if needed

Presentation:

After a few wiggle songs (especially for Jr. Primary), explain that there will be a very important Sunday in a few weeks where the Primary children have been asked to help others feel the spirit.  Tell them we will learn the words to a Christmas song, and then we will play a fun game with some "left over pie" from the holidays.

Teach the song to the children, making sure to explain words and phrases.  I like to let them listen to the music first and then add the words a phrase at a time to help them feel the special spirit of the song.

Then show them the pie and have a child choose a piece.  Sing the song in the suggested way.  Perhaps have a few pieces of pie that allow the child to choose a song of their choice or their classes choice.  When time runs out, make sure and express your testimony of this song and encourage the children to go home and share what they have learned with their families.

Enjoy!

-The Crazy Chorister

The Thankful Primary Turkey

Hello Everyone!

Thanksgiving is next week in the U.S.A. and I thought it would be fun to do an activity that gets everyone ready for the holiday.   There are two ideas for using the turkey.  You could do one or the other...or combine and do a mix of both.  You could also split and use one idea for Jr. primary and one for Sr. Primary

Preparation:

1 Turkey Body (you can make this out of card stock like I did, poster board, construction paper....etc.  My turkey is 16.25 inches long by about 9.75 inches at the widest point on the belly.  I made it large so everyone could easily see it.  I would recommend laminating the feathers and body so it will be more durable, but it's not required.

6 Feathers (19.5 inches long by 7 inches wide)

1 Marker

1 blindfold

A List of songs and page numbers for your pianist

Presentation:

First variation:

Hide the turkey feathers around the primary room before the kids get there.  Explain that your friend Tom, the thankful turkey, has come to the primary room today to sing with us.  Unfortunately, the wind has blown Tom's feathers all over the primary room, but we can help him get them back.  Ask a child to go and find one and bring it to the front.  Ask the child what is one thing they are thankful for.  Help them or have them write it on the feather.  Share it with the primary.  Sing the song on the back of the feather in a fun way...such as fast/slow, loud/soft, boys/girls, etc....

Second Variation:

After the child writes what he is thankful for, put a blindfold on him and have him try and pin the feather on Tom while the kids sing the song.  Have the children sing softer when the child is closer to placing it the correct way.

Have a great week!

-The Crazy Chorister

Primary Gone Wild Additional Animals

Hello!  For my first Sunday back after a decade, I thought I'd revamp an old favorite.  The original post title is "Primary Gone Wild", and it's on the side bar if you would like to try it.  It's essentially the same activity, but I'm adding a few more animals to the idea and updated some of the songs.  I'm still using animal hand puppets, but you can easily use pictures or clip-art added to paper bags to do the activity.

Preparation:

Animal puppets.  (I happen to have a great deal of animal puppets, but you could print out cute clip-art pictures of animals, color them, and attach them to paper lunch bags to make cute puppets.  If you would like

Cheat sheet for you and your pianist so the time isn't wasted trying to find the song

A fun bag to put everything in

Presentation:

Put your bag full of puppets on a table at the front of the room.  Tell the children that you had a bunch of "wild" friends beg to come to primary with you.  Each one of your friends has a favorite primary song they would like to lead the kids in, and they also have a special way they like to sing their song.

Percy Pig---Percy is a prankster.  He loves to do silly things.  (Take the wig out and have Percy hold it)  Tell the children that Percy loves to play "Teacher guess the song".  If the teacher can guess the song in a few notes, the chorister has to wear the silly wig, if they guess it wrong....the teacher has to wear the wig during his favorite song.  (Pg. 253 Singing a Song is Fun to Do)

Cathy Caterpillar---She loves slow and reverent songs.  Sing the song as slow and reverent as possible.  (Pg. 74 I feel my Savior’s Love)

Floyd Flamingo---Floyd loves to sing his song standing on one leg.  Have the children sing the song while standing on one leg and see who can make it all the way through the song.  (Pg. 55 Jesus Once was a little child)

Felix Fly---Felix likes to land on people’s heads during the song and doesn't want to get off unless they know the next phrase.  Have the children hum or buzz the song, Felix will land on a child's or teacher's head during the song and have them repeat the next line.  (Pg. 246 It’s Autumntime)

Polly Peacock---Polly is shy and doesn't want to lead the music, but she loves to switch places with a child in the audience.  You and Polly go sit where the child was sitting and have that child lead the song.  (pg. 95 I love to see the temple)

Marvin Monkey--- Marvin loves it when the children sing his song monkey style in Ooo's and Aahs.  (pg 78 I’m trying to be like Jesus)

Freddy Frog---  Freddy just cannot stay still for music time.  He loves to hop right out of his seat every time he hears the word "I".  Have the children up every time they sing the word "I"  (Pg 77 I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints)  (for Sr. primary, I let them hop down the row to the next seat....they loved that.)

Peter Pelican ---  Peter loves it when the kids sing staccato so he can peck the beat.  Have the children help Charlie peck the beat to this song.  (pg. 118 Book of Mormon Stories)

Matthew Moose---Matthew loves to play "hide it and find it".  Have Matthew give the bean bag to a child to hide it, and then have a child come and find it while you play the song.  You could even have the child finding it wear Matthew on their hand so he can "help" too.  (pg. 146 Keep the commandments)

Edgar Eagle--- Edgar likes to fly up high so the children will sing louder, or fly down low so they sing softer.  (136 As I have loved you)

Alfred Alligator---Alfred loves to make people happy.  Have the children face the door of the primary room.  Have them sing.  If someone comes by, have them smile as big as possible to try and get that person to smile.  You might have to prearrange for someone to walk by.....(pg. 267 if you chance to meet a frown)

Peter Pelican--- Peter loves to carry around shinning things in his mouth.  Have him show the coin.  Tell them that he is going to throw it up in the air.  If it lands on heads..boys sing.....if tails...girls sing.  (pg 198 When we’re helping we’re happy)

Oscar Owl--- Oscar loves to play "hot potato".  Have the children pass around the bean bag as fast as they can to see if everyone can have a chance to pass it before the end of the song.  (Pg. 61Jesus said love everyone)

Brian Bear---Brian just loves primary teachers.  Have the teachers stand up and do hinges as the children sing it.  Have the teachers pretend they are very very old and slow.  Then have the kids stand up and do it as fast as they can.  (pg. 277 I’m all made of hinges)

Sean Shark:  Sean loves to smile!  He loves to see everyone smile really big.  Have the kids sing "If you chance to meet a frown" (pg 236 give said the little stream) with huge smiles the entire time.

Larry Lobster: Larry likes to clap his claws to the beat of the music.  Have the children clap gently to the beat of the music.  (pg 196 Saturday)

Olive Octopus:  Olive likes to Hide.  Have a child Hide Olive.  Have another child come and and find Olive while the children sing (pg.198 A Happy Family).

Tyler Turtle:  Tyler Turtle likes his shell because it's a sturdy home.  Have the children sing (pg 281 Wise man/Foolish man) while doing the actions to wise man/foolish man.

Sally Starfish:  Sally is shy.  Have the children sing gently to her as she finally shines and is happy(pg 163 I am like a star shining brightly).

Debbie Dolphin:  Debbie loves to spin around, jump, and bob her head up and down.  Have the children follow Debbie as you sing (pg 276 Do As I’m Doing).

You can copy and paste the following to give to your Pianist...

Percy Pig-(Pg. 253 Singing a Song is Fun to Do)

Cathy Caterpillar-(Pg. 74 I feel my Savior’s Love)

Floyd Flamingo-(Pg. 55 Jesus Once was a little child)

Felix Fly-(Pg. 246 It’s Autumn time)

Polly Peacock-(pg. 95 I love to see the temple)

Marvin Monkey-(pg 78 I’m trying to be like Jesus)

Freddy Frog: (Pg 77 I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints)

 
Peter Pelican -(pg. 118 Book of Mormon Stories)

Matthew Moose-(pg. 146 Keep the commandments)

Edgar Eagle-(136 As I have loved you)

Alfred Alligator-(pg. 267 if you chance to meet a frown)

Peter Pelican-(pg 198 When we’re helping we’re happy)

Oscar Owl---(Pg. 61 Jesus said love everyone)

Brian Bear-(pg. 277 I’m all made of hinges)

Sean Shark-(pg 236 give said the little stream)

Larry Lobster-(pg 196 Saturday)

Olive Octopus-(pg.198 A Happy Family).

Tyler Turtle-(pg. 281 Wise man/Foolish man)

Sally Starfish: (pg. 163 I am like a star shining brightly).

Debbie Dolphin:  (pg. 276 Do As I’m Doing)

Have the children say hello and goodbye to the animals as they come and go.  You can save the animals you do not get to for another easy activity in future weeks.

Have a great day!

-The Crazy Chorister

The Crazy Chorister is Back!

Over a decade ago, I was called to be the Primary Chorister.  I found so much joy serving in that calling, and shared that joy and lots of ideas through this blog.  I was released nearly 9 years ago.  In that 9 years, I've served in many different callings that I enjoyed, but none has ever filled me as much as primary chorister (YW camp director came very close).  Last week, I was released from my sweet calling in nursery and before I could be sad about it, he said, ...."and we would like to call you to be the primary chorister".  I nearly jumped out of my chair to give him a hug.  It couldn't have come at a better time in my life.  It felt like a gift from Heavenly Father.

I never thought I'd be able to revisit and contribute again to this blog.  I don't know if its still helpful or of use to anyone.  But, if it is, I hope I can jump back into the calling with both feet and help others to embrace the joy.

I'm going to try my best to update the blog regularly with my Sunday plans.  Please feel free to ask questions or contribute your own ideas in the comment sections.  Let's do this together!

The fun begins again tomorrow!  Wish me luck!

-The Crazy Chorister

Introduction Sunday: When I am Baptized pg 103

Howdy Folks!  Every now and then I get the phone call of my dreams and someone asks me to substitute as Primary Chorister for a day.  So, I thought I'd include what I taught on Sunday just in case it would help any of you out there.  It's been so long since I posted....I truly hope this blog is still helping some of you out.

PREP:

1 colorful umbrella (or just an umbrella)
1 jacket (I brought my rain jacket..but any jacket will do)
1 Rain Stick (there are several DIY on how to make a rain stick.  Just keep it simple)
Colorful Popsicle sticks (you can get these at the craft section of Walmart)
Four different color streamers (I chose Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green)
Red, Yellow, Blue, Green card stock with one line of the song on each one...for example, RED would have the line "I like to look for Rainbows", Blue would have "Whenever there is Rain"....etc.
White Card stock that has the chorus on it.  I used four pieces of White card stock for the chorus'.

Before hand, attach small strips of streamer to the Popsicle sticks.  Match the color of streamer with the color of the Popsicle stick.  The idea is to make small banners the kids can wave around.

PRESENTATION:

Begin by having the kids guess what song you will be learning about.  Show them the umbrella, put on your rain jacket (if you have rain boots that could be fun too)....have them silently raise their hands when they think they know.  Pick up the rain stick...let them hear the sound a couple of times.  When you have the majority of the children raising their hands, have the pianist begin to play the music softly.  Ask the children to hum the melody with you.  You could even point out that the rhythm of the music is similar to the rhythm of a soft rain.   Pass out your banners.  Try to spread the different colors around the room.  Have the children say the words of the song with you as you hang up the different colors of papers on the board.  Explain why rain cleaning the Earth can be symbolic of our own baptism.   Tell the children to listen for the rain stick sound to start the music.  Encourage them to be reverent.  Then, have each group stand and wave their banner in coordination with the color of paper on the board.  Ex,..the red group would stand, wave their banner, and sing.."I like to look for rainbows"  then the blue group would stand and sing.."Whenever there is rain....etc.  All groups stand and wave their banners and sing the chorus.  Have them do this exercise twice.  Then, if there is still time, repeat the exercise with the second verse.  I simply had the second vs words on the reverse side of the colored paper.

Hope that sparks some ideas of your own.  Happy Chorsitering!  I'm jealous of all of you.

Love,  The once upon a time Crazy Chorsiter

The Gift of Christmas

Howdy folks,

I substituted for the chorister on Sunday and thought I'd post the idea I used.

Prep:

1 picture or toy of Jesus in the manger (I used my Fisher Price manger set piece)
1 small box for the toy to go into
8-10 different layers of wrapping paper

Put the picture or Toy of Jesus into the Box, then wrap it in different layers of wrapping paper.

Presentation:

Tell the children that you have a special gift of Christmas you want to share with them.  Tell them that the pianist will start to play a song...as soon as they know the song and start singing it...they will begin to pass the present.  The pianist can play the whole song or stop whenever...but when the music stops the child holding the gift will unwrap one layer of the present.  You continue to do this until you get to Jesus.  Then bare your testimony about Heavenly Father's gift to the world was His Only Begotten Son.

It went really well, and the spirit was present.  Merry Christmas.

-thecrazychorister