Primary Gone Wild

Well....hello again.  I'm not sure really anyone  checks this blog anymore, but I thought it was about time to post something.  I've been the second counselor for Primary these eight or so months...and I think I've subbed for the chorister at least a dozen times..more or less.  I've enjoyed teaching sharing time (thought about posting some of those ideas...but didn't want to start an entirely different blog...to much work).

Anyhow, I thought I should post some of the things I've done as substitute so...here's my first  "I'm the crazy chorister sometimes" post.


Preparation:

10-15 animal puppets.  (I happen to have a great deal of animal puppets, but you could print out cute clipart pictures of animals, color them, and attach them to paper lunch bags to make cute puppets.

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

1 Bean bag

1 coin

1 silly hat or wig or dress up (whatever you have that is silly and can be worn is great...I used a bright, purple wig)


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)

Cathy Caterpillar---She loves slow and reverent songs.  Sing the song as slow and reverent as possible.  (Pg. 74)

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.  (Praise to the Man)

Felix Fly---Felix likes to land on peoples 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. 245)

Polly Peacock---Polly is stubborn 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)

Marvin Monkey--- Marvin loves it when the children sing his song monkey style in Ooo's and Aahs.  (pg 159)

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)  (for Sr. primary, I let them hop down the row to the next seat....they loved that.)

Charlie Chicken---  Charlie 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)

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. 96)

Edgar Eagle--- Edgar likes to fly up high so the children will sing louder, or fly down low so they sing softer.  (If I listen with my heart)

Alfred Alligator---Alfred loves to smile at people.  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. 236)

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 164)

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. 61)

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 had the Jr. Primary say "hello" and "goodbye" to the animals as they were picked.  They really loved it.  For Sr. primary...I skipped the pretending for the most part and just used the animals as indicators for the songs and activities....they actually really enjoyed it too.  

I had a great time doing it.  I always appreciate the opportunity to wear the chorister hat again.  Have a great day!

*thecrazychorister

Good Bye

Hey, they called a new chorister and she starts this coming Sunday.

It was a great experience being a Chorister and I'll always cherish all the fun and uplifting times I had each week.

Thank you for encouraging me with your comments. I hope you all have success and find joy in your calling as I did.

May the Lord Bless you.

-Melanie Ketcheson

One more for old times sake?---Christmas Singing Sugar Cookies

Hey folks....they haven't found a replacement for me yet and so I've been pulling double duty for a couple of weeks. I think they are being kind and allowing me to back away slowly so I don't go into shock. :)

Anyhow, I had a fun idea this past week for singing time and it worked really well and was so much fun. I thought I'd post it.

Prep:

6-7 different shaped Christmas Cookie Cutters

1 12 x 12 piece of brownish (dough colored) paper

6-7 different colored paper

1 cookie sheet

Tape

Use your cookie cutters to trace their shape on the large piece of brown paper. Fit them like a puzzle so all of them fit just as you would if you were trying to get the most out of the last bit of cookie dough. I used the outside edge of the cookie cutter to get the largest shape possible for the dough part. Carefully cut them out and tape the large brown paper back together where you cut through. Write different Christmas songs on the back of the cookies

Now, using the inside edge of the cutter, trace and cut the different shapes out of the colored paper. This will serve as the frosting of the cookie so you want it slightly smaller than the cookie.

Before singing time begins, tape the "dough" on the board, and using a small piece of tape on the back of each cookie, carefully fit them back into their cut out spot on the dough.


Presentation:

I Welcomed the children to primary. I Explained that fun family traditions are always apart of the Christmas season and I wanted to share with them my family tradition of making sugar cookies. As we sang "do as I'm doing" I had them follow me in pretending to make the dough for the cookies and rolling it out.

I then showed them my cookie cutters. I explained that as the pianist was playing some music, they would pass one of the cookie cutters around the room. When the music randomly stopped, whoever was holding the cookie cutter would come up and try and find the shape on the dough that it matched. Place the cookie on the cookie sheet. (I leaned my cookie sheet up on the chalk board so all could see the cookies on the tray as we put them there) We would then sing the song on the back (I made it slightly harder for senior...they had to try and guess what song it was). If they sang the song really well, I told them we would be able to decorate the cookie.

To decorate the cookie, have them pretend to have a huge bag of whatever color frosting goes with that cookie. Have them pretend from their seats to frost the cookie their very best. Tape the frosting to the cookie. Repeat the process until all the cookie cutters have been passed around the room.

This was so much fun, and we were able to sing quite a few Christmas songs...even some they didn't really know.

I hope you all are having a very Merry Christmas!

*thecrazychorister (who apparently can't let go)

Nothing More Constant than Change....

Dear Fellow choristers, My friends....

Today was a bitter /sweet Sunday. I was released from my calling as Primary Chorister, and as the tears fell...I was called to be the 2nd counselor of the Primary....and then the tears really started to fall. :)

The past two and a half years have been a joy to me. I have never felt so encompassed by the spirit through each step of my calling. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity to serve and hope someday I can have this calling again. It's simply too much fun.

I am grateful to all of you for your kind remarks and words of encouragement as I have shared the inspirations I received for this calling, and I'm grateful if I helped you in any way.

Now...what to do about this blog.... Well, obviously I will not be posting new ideas since I will need to concentrate on my new calling, but the suggestions on this blog will be at your disposal.

If I could leave you with one suggestion that I learned as I've had the privilege of serving in this capacity...., Don't rely on blogs like this one to do your calling for you. They are great resources and I benefited many times from others ideas, but YOU were called as Chorister of your ward primary for a reason. The Lord is waiting to help you grow if you will come unto him and ask Him how He would like you to teach these children. I have a testimony that He has made up for everything I lacked coming into this calling. He consistently gave me answers, lesson plans, and words to speak that made all the difference to the children I was called to teach. He knows their hearts and the way they learn best. Trust Him. Go to Him. You will find miracles are waiting for you and those kids.

Thank you for all you do in serving children of this church. We are truly raising a mighty generation that will have the strength to overcome all and endure to the end because they know the Truth and love the Savior.

I know my Savior Lives and Loves us. He is my friend, and I am so grateful to serve Him in anyway I can.


Bless you All,

Melanie Ketcheson ( aka: The Crazy Chorister)

Primary Program Reward...new take on used idea

Hey folks! We preformed our primary program yesterday, and it was heavenly. My kids did so well, and many ward members were obviously touched. I am so grateful for all their hard work, and Heavenly Father who truly blessed all of us.

So, I wanted to give these kids a big thank you and also to relax a bit....we've had a few Sundays of intense practicing (not much fun for them). I decided to combine a couple of ideas I've used in the past, and it turned out to be the funniest and funnest reward for them and me.

I'm calling this.....

It's Either You or Me

Okay, so the basic idea is a combination of "Spin the Teacher", "crazy hat day", and "name that tune."

PREP:

A bunch of dress up items in a bag...(I took hats, gloves, crazy glasses, ugly ties, capes, etc....)

Borrow A swivel chair from the clerks or bishops office

8-10 pieces of paper with Random, fun Primary songs that the children know well (DO NOT USE THE PROGRAM SONGS)

PRESENTATION:

Okay, so explain that you're going to choose a teacher to come sit in the chair up front if their class is reverent. Have the pieces of paper with the song titles on them face down on the floor all around the chair....like a clock.

Have a teacher come up front and sit down. Have them lift their feet slightly. Have the pianist play some music and begin to spin the teacher (slowly). When the music comes to a stop, have the teacher put their feet down. Whatever piece of paper their feet is on, pick it up and show the title of the song to their teacher. Ask the teacher how many notes they think their class needs to get the song. Then you also give a guess to how many notes. If the teacher says, "5" and you say "6"...have the pianist give them the fewer notes first. If they get it right on the teachers guess...the teacher picks a dress up for you to wear. If miss on their teacher's guess and get your guess then you get to pick a dress up for their teacher to wear. Then sing the song.

This was too much fun for both the kids and teacher and me. I ended up looking like some sort of rodeo clown princess...and several teachers where wearing funny hats etc. They kids were so thrilled.

I will say, this was a more lively activity then most. We kept it under control, but expect a more lively reaction.

Anyhow, it couldn't have been a better day all around. I hope you had or will have a fantastic program.

Now, ...on to getting ready for Christmas!

*thecrazychorister

Primary Program Helpful Hints

For all those who haven't had their program yet, this might be helpful to you. I have a few suggestions that might help your little primary kids sing their best and make a rehearsal go smoother.

A. Bring three different colored flags, pieces of paper, or something you can have some hold up at the back of the chapel. I had a red flag, a yellow flag, and a blue flag. I had a sister sit at the back of the chapel for our rehearsal. I told the children that during the songs, Sister Loomis will hold up the Red flag if you need to be louder, The Yellow flag if you need to be softer, and the blue flag if you're singing perfect. This worked SO WELL. The children not only followed my direction, but the sound was fantastic.

B. To help all the children stand together, I did a little exercise with them. We practiced standing up and sitting down. I made a motion with my hands directing them to come to the edge of their seats. I then swept my arms down and up to have them stand. I told them I didn't want a bunch of pop corn on the stage.....so I had them sing Pop Corn Popping and had them "pop" up out of their chair each time we sang the words "popcorn" in the song. They loved that, and it helped them understand the difference in that and what I wanted them to do. They did amazing after that...and all eyes were on me.

C. So, rehearsal can sometimes get crazy trying to get everyone to listen and be reverent during it...especially the little children. So, a great teacher let me have a huge bag of stickers. I gave a bunch to each teacher and asked them to give the stickers to children who are sitting reverently and paying attention. I then announced (after I got permission from the PP) that if the children worked hard, listened, and were reverent...they would receive a sticker. And those who had stickers...would get a cookie from me at the end. UM....you would have thought I was giving out $100 dollar bills. It was absolutely amazing. Each child earned their sticker and got their cookie...it WAS AWESOME! Please, get permission before doing this in your primary.


Have a fun and spiritually amazing program!

-thecrazychorister

Still Alive

Just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive...and I'll post real stuff soon. We've just been practicing the program and there's nothing new that I haven't already posted. So, We'll put this baby to bed in just two more weeks...and then on to new and exciting things.

Have a great week!

Primary Review Idea #3: Winston the Worm

You know, there are just some activities that surprise you in how well they keep the attention span of those little kiddos in Jr. Primary. When I preparing for this activity, I had a feeling they would like it...but, this activity had every child in that room (almost 60 kids) singing, participating, and reverent when needed. I incorporated it into my Sr. Primary Idea, but it was not the main focus as it was in Jr. Primary. It was a blast. I hope you find it to be as well.

I normally do not provide pictures, but I wanted to make sure you knew that this was actually an extremely easy activity to throw together.

Prep:

1 Giant Red Apple with a hole on one side of the apple. (I made this out of a Heavy Red Poster Board. Draw the shape of an apple, and then cut it out. Use colored paper to tape over the stem and leaf)

1 Green Worm (I loosely sewed buttons onto one of my husband's scout socks. The sock should cover your arm at least up to your elbow.)

I also brought some stop and go signs, strong/soft signs/boy girl signs.....to help give variety to how we sang the song.

***optional: I just happened to have these worm looking stick figures that were left over in the primary closet from forever ago (I have no idea what they were originally used for). I thought it would be fun for them to be apart of Winston's family to incorporate some wiggle songs in between working on the program songs. I don't have a pattern for them, but I'm sure you could be creative enough to come up with a pretty close substitute. I named them Winifred, Wyatt, Weston, and Wendy.

My recommendation is to only work on four out of the eight primary songs. I found that was the perfect amount of time to work through all four songs plus four wiggle/reverent songs.

Presentation:

I began by telling the children how excited I was that it was fall. So many good things happen this time of year. The leaves change, the primary program is coming up, and I get to pick apples off my tree to make applesauce! I told them that sometimes I have the unpleasant experience of finding green worms in my apples. I told them I brought one of those apples today, and it just happens to have a green worm in it. Now, this isn't just some ordinary, run-of-the-mill worm...this just happens to be Winston the Worm. Now, Winston happens to love love love primary music...and when I told him that you were practicing for the up coming program...he told me he really wanted to come and hear you sing. But, Winston is a very shy worm. He usually doesn't come out of his apple unless everyone is reverent, singing their best, and smiling as big as they can so he feels welcome......(you can say whatever comes to mind for you....)

Have the children sing one of the program songs they are really good at. As you notice everyone being reverent and smiling, slowly bring Winston (your hand) out of the apple. I tended to ham this part up a bit....he came out a bit and then shyly went back in a poked his head out a bit and finally came out of the apple and waved hello. Have the children wave back to him. I asked Winston if he wanted to hear some more songs. He nodded and then waved me down to his mouth...I pretended that he was whispering something too me. I turned back to the children and said...Winston really wants to hear you sing...."fill in the blank on whatever you're working on"....and he really loves it when he can hold the Strong/Soft sign. Put the sign into Winston's mouth. Have the children follow his direction.

I could go on, but I think you get the point. Just do what comes natural to you. At one point, I had Winston smile huge (just extend your thumb and pinkie as far as they go)...the kids really loved that and felt good they were making him feel so welcome with their singing. I also had him sing along at one point, but because he's a worm you can hardly hear his little voice....

One little sunbeam jumped off her chair towards the end, came up to me and said, "Winston is just a sock!" I put my finger to my mouth and said, "Shh, he doesn't know that....let's not tell him it would hurt his feelings." She smiled and went back to her chair.

I sometimes had Winston introduce his siblings. Winston would go back into the apple and a sibling would pop out of the hole. Each Sibling had a favorite wiggle they lead the kids in.

This was such a fun 20 min. Have a great Week!

*thecrazychorister