Are ya ready to tackle this one? I hope you are, it's going to be so much fun.
I'm changing my monthly method a bit this month. This song is big, and repeat week and program week will be incorporated into the activities I'm going to do...but it won't be the main focus this month. All four weeks will actually be somewhat of introduction weeks....but we'll get the job done. Two weeks ago, I already handed out a different verse to each primary class (most of the Jr. primary classes are paired with a Sr. Class so it will work for the program)...so they've been looking over what their verse says already.
I read a primusic group email that suggested the main idea of the time machine. I'm sorry I don't remember who exactly was so brilliant as to come up with this, but thanks a million. My crazy mind took hold and added too it a bit...
So here's week #1 of "Follow The Prophet" ADAM WAS A PROPHET
Prep:
1 Time machine (Okay, I've thought a lot about the best way to go about it. For me, the best way to make a time machine will be to decorate the inside of the primary room door to look like the door of a time machine. You can do this anyway you want, and I really haven't got that far yet...so who knows what it will end up looking like. Just make sure it has a little mock dial that can be turned to "Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon/Pearl of Great Price, Latter Days". The reason I choose to do it on the Primary door was I didn't want anyone to have to sit in a box and wait until I was ready for them to come out...this way, they can just wait for me to say loudly out side the door...."Let's see who comes out of our time machine.")
1 wonderful husband and wife team that will play the part of Adam and Eve. Have them dress up in simple clothing....animal skins ...etc. Post Garden, obviously. Give them a little script as to what they need to say..have them memorize it and put it into their own words so it looks natural for them.
5 picture prompts ..one for each line...that have been mounted on apples (or whatever fruit you would like) cutouts to hang on the board. Have Eve bring these with her.
Draw a picture of a Tree on the board big enough for your apples to fit on.
Presentation:
Tell the children that today is an exciting day. We're going to have a visitor from the past, but before we can do that we need to learn the chorus of our new song. Teach the chorus any way you would like too.....most of the children know this by heart. This shouldn't take more than 2 min.
Go over to the "time machine" Set it to Old Testament times. Put your ear to the door and whisper..."I think its working....I'd better get back."
Have Adam open the door with his back to the children and say, "Over here Eve, I think I found some more firewood." Have him turn around and looked shocked to see the children....Have Eve show up looking at Adam (not noticing the children) and say, "Look Adam, I found some nice apples..." then have her notice his shocked look and look at the kids and have her look surprised.
At this point, invite them to come to the front. Have them introduce themselves (maybe even sing the "hello" song too them for kicks)...then have Adam tell a bit about them and about their lives. Have them be quick and to the point. It should only take two min tops...guide their story through questions. Have Eve show the children the apples, and have her tell them that she thinks this will help the children to remember who they are and what they did...
Have a child come and see if they can pick out the first line of the song. Have them put it on the tree. (For Jr. Primary, have Eve hand them the correct apple and have them put it on the tree.) Sing through the lines. Combine it with the chorus. Have the class that is going to sing this verse come to the front and lead the rest of the Primary in singing it.
Have Adam tell the children he was happy to meet them. Have him encourage them to do their best and keep reading the Scriptures and Following the Living Prophet. Have Adam and Eve wave goodbye and go back into the time machine.
This should take up your time. If not, you can then quickly teach them the Enoch verse.
Next week---Noah. Make sure and keep your time machine stuff, we'll be using it all month.
**thecrazychorister
Monday, March 1, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Test Sunday-- Odd Ball Out
Okay, So my kids know this month's song really, really well...and I know they will pass it off first time through, so I'm going to quickly have them pass off their song by singing it through "program perfect" (standing, all eyes following me, no picture prompts, smiling, singing out, following chorister dynamics). Then we'll move on to the fun stuff. I realized last week after singing the "Hello" song for the 20 billionth time (a different way to keep in interesting) that there are so many great songs to sing that they don't know and that I never have time to teach them...as well as birthday songs...so this week seemed like a perfect opportunity to fill our song buckets.
Prep:
4 different shaped balls with a small tag on it with song title and pg # (tennis ball, baseball, football, wacky ball...whatever you have available)
1 Large, empty bucket with a sign that says "Song Bucket" (25 gallon preferred)
Pick 4 songs out of the children's Hymn book in the "welcome" and/or "birthday" section that your primary has never sung.
Presentation:
Have the children pass off the monthly song. Tell them they did so well learning the song this month, that we get to move on to other great songs. Bring out the bucket and place it at the head of the room. Bring out your bag (or basket or whatever) of odd balls. Tell them that there are some songs that we sing over and over again because we just haven't had time to learn other songs. Sometimes new songs sound odd to us because we've never heard them, and we tend to stick with things we know becasue they are more comforatable. Tell them that today, were going to take some of these "odd balls" (songs we've never heard) and put them into our song bucket (our rapporteur) so we can use them in opening exercises.
Have a child come forward and pick one of the balls. Give the tag to the pianist. Have her play the melody of the song once through. Sing the words line by line to the children, having them repeat the line back to you after each one. Sing the song all the way through with them. Ask the children if they think they have it. Have the children sing through the song, and have the child with the ball try to make the ball into the bucket before the end of the song.
Don't bother with picture prompts. These songs are fast and simple and can be easily learned just by singing the line and having them sing it back too you. If you choose a song that is longer, you could use picture prompts to help...or any other technique that you have found is most effective with your kids.
Have a great day!
*thecrazychorister
Prep:
4 different shaped balls with a small tag on it with song title and pg # (tennis ball, baseball, football, wacky ball...whatever you have available)
1 Large, empty bucket with a sign that says "Song Bucket" (25 gallon preferred)
Pick 4 songs out of the children's Hymn book in the "welcome" and/or "birthday" section that your primary has never sung.
Presentation:
Have the children pass off the monthly song. Tell them they did so well learning the song this month, that we get to move on to other great songs. Bring out the bucket and place it at the head of the room. Bring out your bag (or basket or whatever) of odd balls. Tell them that there are some songs that we sing over and over again because we just haven't had time to learn other songs. Sometimes new songs sound odd to us because we've never heard them, and we tend to stick with things we know becasue they are more comforatable. Tell them that today, were going to take some of these "odd balls" (songs we've never heard) and put them into our song bucket (our rapporteur) so we can use them in opening exercises.
Have a child come forward and pick one of the balls. Give the tag to the pianist. Have her play the melody of the song once through. Sing the words line by line to the children, having them repeat the line back to you after each one. Sing the song all the way through with them. Ask the children if they think they have it. Have the children sing through the song, and have the child with the ball try to make the ball into the bucket before the end of the song.
Don't bother with picture prompts. These songs are fast and simple and can be easily learned just by singing the line and having them sing it back too you. If you choose a song that is longer, you could use picture prompts to help...or any other technique that you have found is most effective with your kids.
Have a great day!
*thecrazychorister
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Don't under Estimate yourself....
Before you scroll down and read this weeks idea, I need to to suggest something.
I am so grateful for the Internet and the opportunity we all have to benefit from each other and to have so much fun in our callings. When I started this blog, I had no idea there were so many out there that had the same need for ideas for a primary chorister as I had. I was simply trying to find a way to record what I had done for some future date if I ever have this calling again. I am so happy if I've helped you in even the smallest way.
My hope for this blog is not to be the end all say all to what you do in your calling. I don't post many pictures because I really would hope that you take these ideas as simply suggestions that can be improved upon, changed, and adapted to fit your situation. I would hope that I'm not the "Saturday panic" blog...your primary deserves more. Although, we all have those weeks...me included. I really believe that each of us was set apart in our own wards for a reason. We can be inspired for what our specific primary children need. Some of the ideas I post simply will not work for you.... at times, some of them haven't worked for me either.
I encourage you will all my heart to pray and ask for guidance in your calling. Rely on Him who inspired your calling to this position. He knows how they learn, how they feel, and how best they will take these precious songs into their hearts. Never under estimate your own abilities to bless their lives or to receive inspiration from Heavenly Father. He called You because You had what they need right now.
I hope your day is wonderful. Thank you for inspiring me to be better.
-Melanie
I am so grateful for the Internet and the opportunity we all have to benefit from each other and to have so much fun in our callings. When I started this blog, I had no idea there were so many out there that had the same need for ideas for a primary chorister as I had. I was simply trying to find a way to record what I had done for some future date if I ever have this calling again. I am so happy if I've helped you in even the smallest way.
My hope for this blog is not to be the end all say all to what you do in your calling. I don't post many pictures because I really would hope that you take these ideas as simply suggestions that can be improved upon, changed, and adapted to fit your situation. I would hope that I'm not the "Saturday panic" blog...your primary deserves more. Although, we all have those weeks...me included. I really believe that each of us was set apart in our own wards for a reason. We can be inspired for what our specific primary children need. Some of the ideas I post simply will not work for you.... at times, some of them haven't worked for me either.
I encourage you will all my heart to pray and ask for guidance in your calling. Rely on Him who inspired your calling to this position. He knows how they learn, how they feel, and how best they will take these precious songs into their hearts. Never under estimate your own abilities to bless their lives or to receive inspiration from Heavenly Father. He called You because You had what they need right now.
I hope your day is wonderful. Thank you for inspiring me to be better.
-Melanie
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Program Review Week--You've Got Mail!
Boy, I'm very late with the post this week. To much to do. Anyhow, This activity with help review Jan and Feb program song as well as get the machine going to tackle the up and coming "Follow the Prophet" song for March. Many of you are feeling worried about teaching this song. I hope this gives you some ideas you can use.
Prep:
1 Mail Box. You can make your own, use a real one, or perhaps you picked up the mail box that I suggested in the last post.....anyone will work just fine.
2 Envelopes per primary class..make them look as real as possible. Address them to specific classes (1 envelope will contain the review of the program songs or some other song that go with the message for the month, the other envelope will contain that Classes "Piece of the Puzzle" for March's song, and will be handed out at the very end....so keep them separate.
1 song picture to go in each envelop (Use your Jan and Feb song for two of the songs and then pick out a few other songs that match the monthly message. It would be easy if you just went to the Jolly Jenn site (on the side bar) and printed up one page to the song of your choice...it has pictures and words...and then they can guess what it is.)
1 very wonderful person who is willing to play the part of the mail carrier. It would be wonderful if they could carry a satchel, wear a hat, and really act the part.
Before Primary, set the mail box up at the front of the room. Give the letters to your carrier and make sure they know what order you want them delivered in. Have them totally out of site.
Presentation:
Tell the children that you wanted to start out with a wiggle song. Choose a favorite song or have a child pick their favorite wiggle song. At the very end of the song, have your carrier march very happily to the front of the room. Greet the Mail Man by saying, "Why hello, Brother/Sister so in so...how are you today?" Have them respond, "I'm doing great. Primary songs always make me feel happy. I just had some mail to deliver. " Have them put it in the mail box and then say, "See you later, Jr Primary (or Sr. Primary)" and then they should walk out of the room. Ask the kids if we should see who the mail is for....Call up a child to open the mail box and then read who it is addressed too...it should be something like:
Prep:
1 Mail Box. You can make your own, use a real one, or perhaps you picked up the mail box that I suggested in the last post.....anyone will work just fine.
2 Envelopes per primary class..make them look as real as possible. Address them to specific classes (1 envelope will contain the review of the program songs or some other song that go with the message for the month, the other envelope will contain that Classes "Piece of the Puzzle" for March's song, and will be handed out at the very end....so keep them separate.
1 song picture to go in each envelop (Use your Jan and Feb song for two of the songs and then pick out a few other songs that match the monthly message. It would be easy if you just went to the Jolly Jenn site (on the side bar) and printed up one page to the song of your choice...it has pictures and words...and then they can guess what it is.)
1 very wonderful person who is willing to play the part of the mail carrier. It would be wonderful if they could carry a satchel, wear a hat, and really act the part.
Before Primary, set the mail box up at the front of the room. Give the letters to your carrier and make sure they know what order you want them delivered in. Have them totally out of site.
Presentation:
Tell the children that you wanted to start out with a wiggle song. Choose a favorite song or have a child pick their favorite wiggle song. At the very end of the song, have your carrier march very happily to the front of the room. Greet the Mail Man by saying, "Why hello, Brother/Sister so in so...how are you today?" Have them respond, "I'm doing great. Primary songs always make me feel happy. I just had some mail to deliver. " Have them put it in the mail box and then say, "See you later, Jr Primary (or Sr. Primary)" and then they should walk out of the room. Ask the kids if we should see who the mail is for....Call up a child to open the mail box and then read who it is addressed too...it should be something like:
Sister Smith's CTR 5 Class
Jr. Primary
(Ward and Stake)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Have the child hand it to that classes Teacher. Have them pull out the picture and guess what song that words and picture go too. Then sing the song. After the song, have your carrier come back in with another letter...go through the same process. At the very end, after each class has received a letter, have the carrier come back in for a final delivery. Have Him put an envelop for each class into the mail box. Have a child from each class come to get theirs. Have them open it. It will have a prophets name on it, as well as the words for the "Follow the Prophet" song for each child to take home with them. Each class will have a different prophet. Explain that next month we will be learning this song. Encourage them to learn the song as a class in the next two weeks and to practice their verse at home.
*******
The idea here will then help tackle the enormity of the song. Each class will either sing their verse or help teach that verse in the process and all the children will sing the chorus. Two weeks is a great amount of time for them to at least be familiar with the words. Encourage the teachers to take a little time to review the words with the kids.
I will be picking specific prophets to "highlight" along the way for specific activities in march (I am so excited about the first one) to learn the song and the reasons why we love these men so much.
Have a great week.
*thecrazychorister
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Good Things To Come....
If you're looking for the repeat idea for this coming Sunday, keep going...it's just below this post. I just wanted to give you a heads up so perhaps you could go and find what I just got and I am totally thrilled about.
I've been planning an idea to do in the near future called "You've Got Mail", but I hadn't figuared out how to create my mail box. Yesterday, I was buying Valentine Cards for my kids at Walmart (the only store we have around this area), and I saw this on the shelf. It's perfect...and it was only $3.00. It even lights up when you open the door (totally my style). So, just in case you're interested, go see if your local Walmart is carrying these and grab one. They are in the Valentines section. They might even go on sale the Monday after Valentines and be even more affordable. Most of them have Spiderman or Tinkerbell on them, but there was this great design too that was so perfect for Primary and the theme of the activity I'll be doing. I'll be posting the idea soon.
Have fun!
-thecrazychorister
Monday, February 8, 2010
Repeat Week--Sing Your Heart Out!
I love the theme for this week in our Outline, "Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind may be saved" and I love the theme for February, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Can you not think of a Greater expression of Love? And, since this coming week is Valentines, I thought it would be wonderful to associate this holiday with the Love our Father has for each of us...and also the love we have for our Primary kids.
Prep:
Picture Prompts (I highly recommend printing these from the Primary Singing Ideas Blog link I have on the side bar...She's a Genius Flip Chart creator and I Love, Love, Love her charts.) After printing them, mount them to some heavy paper and cut them out into heart shapes.
10 Red, white, and/or Pink Valentine hearts that have different ways to sing the song. (I'm going to try and put a list together of my favorites that work best for our primary...especially for more reverent songs such as this one.)
****Not to do with the review, but if would like*****
1 paper or foam heart cut out for each primary child that has the following saying on it, "Thanks for Singing Your Heart Out Each Week." Love, " . I will attach 1 Hershey Hug to each Heart.
Before Primary: Put The Picture Prompts in Order on the Chalk board or the front of the room with the words facing out. Put the Little Hearts with the ways to sing the song on the board below them turned around so they cannot see what is written.
Presentation:
Begin by bearing your testimony of the Love the Savior and Heavenly Father has for each of them. Tell them that Valentines is a holiday to express our love for others in special ways, and that the biggest and most special way love was ever shown to anyone was the giving of God's only begotten Son to save the world. Tell them it is a precious gift that we have the choice of accepting or rejecting, and it was given to all the world
Point to the song on the board. Tell them for Repeat Week we're going to play a game called "Sing Your Heart Out." Call two children to the front. Designate one child to go out in the hallway for a moment with another leader. Have the other child choose one of the picture prompt hearts to take out of the song. Have the other child come back into the room. Have them try and say the line of the song that was removed (encourage them to get help from teachers and other children if they looked worried or scared). Once they have guessed correctly, have them choose one of the smaller hearts. Have all of the children sing the line that was taken out...(hence, sing your heart out) in the way the song suggests. Repeat the process, but each time a heart is removed...have the children sing all the lines of the hearts that were removed...eventually you will end up singing the entire song and they should have it memorized. Don't worry too much if time runs out before you get to the end, but really it should work time wise if you go quickly.
At the end, again emphasize that Father and Jesus Christ showed love for us. Encourage them to in turn show love to others by doing something extra specially kind for someone today. Give them the hearts you made. (If you choose to do this, I would suggest giving it to their teachers to pass out after church is done so you don't have any distractions for sharing time or class.)
Happy Valentines!
**the crazy chorister
Prep:
Picture Prompts (I highly recommend printing these from the Primary Singing Ideas Blog link I have on the side bar...She's a Genius Flip Chart creator and I Love, Love, Love her charts.) After printing them, mount them to some heavy paper and cut them out into heart shapes.
10 Red, white, and/or Pink Valentine hearts that have different ways to sing the song. (I'm going to try and put a list together of my favorites that work best for our primary...especially for more reverent songs such as this one.)
****Not to do with the review, but if would like*****
1 paper or foam heart cut out for each primary child that has the following saying on it, "Thanks for Singing Your Heart Out Each Week." Love, " . I will attach 1 Hershey Hug to each Heart.
Before Primary: Put The Picture Prompts in Order on the Chalk board or the front of the room with the words facing out. Put the Little Hearts with the ways to sing the song on the board below them turned around so they cannot see what is written.
Presentation:
Begin by bearing your testimony of the Love the Savior and Heavenly Father has for each of them. Tell them that Valentines is a holiday to express our love for others in special ways, and that the biggest and most special way love was ever shown to anyone was the giving of God's only begotten Son to save the world. Tell them it is a precious gift that we have the choice of accepting or rejecting, and it was given to all the world
Point to the song on the board. Tell them for Repeat Week we're going to play a game called "Sing Your Heart Out." Call two children to the front. Designate one child to go out in the hallway for a moment with another leader. Have the other child choose one of the picture prompt hearts to take out of the song. Have the other child come back into the room. Have them try and say the line of the song that was removed (encourage them to get help from teachers and other children if they looked worried or scared). Once they have guessed correctly, have them choose one of the smaller hearts. Have all of the children sing the line that was taken out...(hence, sing your heart out) in the way the song suggests. Repeat the process, but each time a heart is removed...have the children sing all the lines of the hearts that were removed...eventually you will end up singing the entire song and they should have it memorized. Don't worry too much if time runs out before you get to the end, but really it should work time wise if you go quickly.
At the end, again emphasize that Father and Jesus Christ showed love for us. Encourage them to in turn show love to others by doing something extra specially kind for someone today. Give them the hearts you made. (If you choose to do this, I would suggest giving it to their teachers to pass out after church is done so you don't have any distractions for sharing time or class.)
Happy Valentines!
**the crazy chorister
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Introduction Week--He Sent His Son--"Door #1 OR Door #2"
Crazy to think we're on to a new month already. I am excited to review this song with our primary. I am sure the entire Sr. Primary knows it by heart already, and so most of the work will go on in Jr. Primary....but, we're going to have fun learning the deeper meaning to the song this month for everyone, and of course have fun doing it.
Prep:
2 Heavy poster boards. ( First, Cut a door in each poster board making sure to leave one side attached so it can open and close like a door. Use Glitter Glue to write a #1 on one board and a #2 on the second board. Second, fancy the boards up any way you wish to make them bright and eye catching. Third, attach magnets or heavy tape to the back of the boards so they can be hung on the chalk board or wall.
6 3X5 cards that have the following questions written out (one question per card)
How could the Father Tell the World of Love and Tenderness?
How could the Father Show the World the Pathway we should go?
How could the Father Tell the World of Sacrifice, of Death?
What Does the Father ask of Us?
What do the Scriptures Say?
What Does He (the Father) Ask?
6 Pictures that coordinate (there are a lot) with the following phrases. (attach each phrase to the picture it goes with. Make sure the pictures and phrases can fit easily behind your doors)
He sent His Son a new born babe, with peace and holiness
He sent His Son to Walk with man, on Earth that we may know
He sent His Son to die for us, and rise with living breath
Have Faith Have Hope, live like His Son.
Help Others on Their way
Live Like His Son
6 Pictures that Coordinate with the following phrases...or create your own phrases and find pictures that go with them .
He Gave us All Ice Cream and Cake
He sent His Son to do all our chores for us so we could go play outside
He Sent His Son to die for us, but that was the end
Complain a lot to other people when things are not going your way
Only help others when there's something in it for you
Eat All your vegetables
Picture Prompts if needed
Presentation:
Before Primary Begins, set up your doors at the front of the room. Place the first two picture phrases behind each door. Tell the children that we get to find out what our monthly song is today. To help us discover it we're going to play a game called "What's behind door #1....or door #2". Call a child to the front. Sing the first line of the song to the child..."How could the Father Tell the World of Love and Tenderness?" Then ask the child if S/he thinks the answer is behind door 1 or 2. Open the door they choose. Ask the child if they think that is the correct answer. If it is...have the entire primary sing the question and the answer. If it is not, let the child have the option of seeing what's behind the other door. If the child says that they think the silly phrase is the right answer, humor them by trying to put that to the music....and then explain that not only does it not fit the music, but it doesn't fit Heavenly Father's plan either and quickly talk about the significance of the line your singing...and open the other door for them.
As the child is sitting down, quickly replace what is behind each door (or have an adult helper do this for you while you are singing the song) and go onto the next question.
Continue this until you have gone through the whole song. Asking questions and then answering them. If you have time at the end, sing the song once or twice all the way through. Make sure and bear Testimony that the Plan of Salvation was laid out before we came to Earth, and that if we understand and accept our Savior's Love we can come back to Father in Heaven.
**thecrazychorister
Prep:
2 Heavy poster boards. ( First, Cut a door in each poster board making sure to leave one side attached so it can open and close like a door. Use Glitter Glue to write a #1 on one board and a #2 on the second board. Second, fancy the boards up any way you wish to make them bright and eye catching. Third, attach magnets or heavy tape to the back of the boards so they can be hung on the chalk board or wall.
6 3X5 cards that have the following questions written out (one question per card)
How could the Father Tell the World of Love and Tenderness?
How could the Father Show the World the Pathway we should go?
How could the Father Tell the World of Sacrifice, of Death?
What Does the Father ask of Us?
What do the Scriptures Say?
What Does He (the Father) Ask?
6 Pictures that coordinate (there are a lot) with the following phrases. (attach each phrase to the picture it goes with. Make sure the pictures and phrases can fit easily behind your doors)
He sent His Son a new born babe, with peace and holiness
He sent His Son to Walk with man, on Earth that we may know
He sent His Son to die for us, and rise with living breath
Have Faith Have Hope, live like His Son.
Help Others on Their way
Live Like His Son
6 Pictures that Coordinate with the following phrases...or create your own phrases and find pictures that go with them .
He Gave us All Ice Cream and Cake
He sent His Son to do all our chores for us so we could go play outside
He Sent His Son to die for us, but that was the end
Complain a lot to other people when things are not going your way
Only help others when there's something in it for you
Eat All your vegetables
Picture Prompts if needed
Presentation:
Before Primary Begins, set up your doors at the front of the room. Place the first two picture phrases behind each door. Tell the children that we get to find out what our monthly song is today. To help us discover it we're going to play a game called "What's behind door #1....or door #2". Call a child to the front. Sing the first line of the song to the child..."How could the Father Tell the World of Love and Tenderness?" Then ask the child if S/he thinks the answer is behind door 1 or 2. Open the door they choose. Ask the child if they think that is the correct answer. If it is...have the entire primary sing the question and the answer. If it is not, let the child have the option of seeing what's behind the other door. If the child says that they think the silly phrase is the right answer, humor them by trying to put that to the music....and then explain that not only does it not fit the music, but it doesn't fit Heavenly Father's plan either and quickly talk about the significance of the line your singing...and open the other door for them.
As the child is sitting down, quickly replace what is behind each door (or have an adult helper do this for you while you are singing the song) and go onto the next question.
Continue this until you have gone through the whole song. Asking questions and then answering them. If you have time at the end, sing the song once or twice all the way through. Make sure and bear Testimony that the Plan of Salvation was laid out before we came to Earth, and that if we understand and accept our Savior's Love we can come back to Father in Heaven.
**thecrazychorister
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
5th Sunday-Test Week "Singing Golf"
First, thank you to everyone who has left kind comments. It's been so wonderful knowing that so many of you are being helped and loving your callings. I am so grateful for the Internet and the many resources we have that assist us to teach these children in ways they learn the best.
Second, I just wanted to clear up something for everyone. Early last year, I posted my "monthly method" for teaching on the side of my blog. It was something I felt was inspired for my calling and was very helpful for me to be organized. I just wanted to make sure everyone knows that this is NOT an Official, Church Directed way to teach. This is not in the primary guide or the handbook. If it works for you, or part of it works for you, great. If not, you in no way have to use it. There are countless methods you can use, and I encourage you to pray and find what will help your primary the best.
With that said, let's move on. I realized I am doing "Test" week out of order, but I wanted a bit more time for this activity. An idea sparked in my brain from an idea suggested for a sharing time on Sugardoodle by Lisa Christiansen. I've adapted it to work for singing time. This can easily be used for your traditional 20 min or you can expand it to the entire time if you have that assignment.
PREP:
A small bucket or container
7 or more cut out pictures of Golf Balls (depending on how much time you have)
9 pieces of green paper (construction or card stock) Tape them together to form a "Green". On Each Paper have a different way to sing the song it...(Staccato, Stop/Go, Boy/Girl, Teach stands on one foot. etc)
1 Black circle paper to represent the hole...Have the words...."Teacher Challenge" written on the hole
A yard stick or something else long enough they can hit the ball with. You might even have an actual child size putter...that would be great.
1 part of the Program song written on a small piece of paper with a question and taped to each golf ball. (EX. "Wrapped in the Arms of His Gentle Love" Which verse of the song is this line in? 1st or 2nd?)
Some Lego's, or books, or something that you can put around the "Green" to contain the ball when it is putted. (I hope that makes sense...but think of it like a mini-golf course only with just this one hole. )
Presentation:
Set up the "Green" before primary begins. Tell the kids that we're going to test on our program song today. Show them the bucket with the golf balls in it (or the pictures of golf balls in the bucket). Explain that just like golf balls have holes and dents in them that help them go farther, we too, through life, will have to go through some things that will give us some dents and holes. Heavenly Father loves us so much that he gave us a perfect path to follow through the example of his son, Jesus Christ, and the things we go through can help us be stronger and go farther.
Have a child come and pick a ball. Read or have them read what the line of the song is. Have them answer the question. If they cannot, they can get help from others. When the answer has been answered correctly, have the child putt the ball. If the ball lands on the green, sing the song as suggested on the green paper the ball rests on. If they get it in the "hole" or it comes to rest on the black then the children get to choose a way for the teachers to sing the song. This can be really fun for the kids and teachers so be creative in suggestions. You might want to have a separate bucket with teacher suggestions in it the kids can choose from. Continue this process until all your golf balls are gone from the bucket.
Have them sing the entire song. Then, bare your testimony of its truthfulness.
*thecrazychorister
Second, I just wanted to clear up something for everyone. Early last year, I posted my "monthly method" for teaching on the side of my blog. It was something I felt was inspired for my calling and was very helpful for me to be organized. I just wanted to make sure everyone knows that this is NOT an Official, Church Directed way to teach. This is not in the primary guide or the handbook. If it works for you, or part of it works for you, great. If not, you in no way have to use it. There are countless methods you can use, and I encourage you to pray and find what will help your primary the best.
With that said, let's move on. I realized I am doing "Test" week out of order, but I wanted a bit more time for this activity. An idea sparked in my brain from an idea suggested for a sharing time on Sugardoodle by Lisa Christiansen. I've adapted it to work for singing time. This can easily be used for your traditional 20 min or you can expand it to the entire time if you have that assignment.
PREP:
A small bucket or container
7 or more cut out pictures of Golf Balls (depending on how much time you have)
9 pieces of green paper (construction or card stock) Tape them together to form a "Green". On Each Paper have a different way to sing the song it...(Staccato, Stop/Go, Boy/Girl, Teach stands on one foot. etc)
1 Black circle paper to represent the hole...Have the words...."Teacher Challenge" written on the hole
A yard stick or something else long enough they can hit the ball with. You might even have an actual child size putter...that would be great.
1 part of the Program song written on a small piece of paper with a question and taped to each golf ball. (EX. "Wrapped in the Arms of His Gentle Love" Which verse of the song is this line in? 1st or 2nd?)
Some Lego's, or books, or something that you can put around the "Green" to contain the ball when it is putted. (I hope that makes sense...but think of it like a mini-golf course only with just this one hole. )
Presentation:
Set up the "Green" before primary begins. Tell the kids that we're going to test on our program song today. Show them the bucket with the golf balls in it (or the pictures of golf balls in the bucket). Explain that just like golf balls have holes and dents in them that help them go farther, we too, through life, will have to go through some things that will give us some dents and holes. Heavenly Father loves us so much that he gave us a perfect path to follow through the example of his son, Jesus Christ, and the things we go through can help us be stronger and go farther.
Have a child come and pick a ball. Read or have them read what the line of the song is. Have them answer the question. If they cannot, they can get help from others. When the answer has been answered correctly, have the child putt the ball. If the ball lands on the green, sing the song as suggested on the green paper the ball rests on. If they get it in the "hole" or it comes to rest on the black then the children get to choose a way for the teachers to sing the song. This can be really fun for the kids and teachers so be creative in suggestions. You might want to have a separate bucket with teacher suggestions in it the kids can choose from. Continue this process until all your golf balls are gone from the bucket.
Have them sing the entire song. Then, bare your testimony of its truthfulness.
*thecrazychorister
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