Oh, What Do You Do In the Summertime?

Summer vacations are well under way and our Primary attendance shows it.  Instead of learning a new song for the program, I like to do fun activities during the summer.  For the last 2 weeks, we have sung "Oh, What Do You Do in the Summertime?" (CS-245).

Last week we sang through the 3 verses using props.  Many of the Jr. Primary kids didn't know this song and it was fun to see them pick it up quickly.  We sang through each verse 2 times, using different kids to hold the props each time.  For the last run through, we wanted to sing all 3 verses without stopping.  I handed out the various props to the kids with instructions to come up front when their verse comes around.  When we started singing the end "Is that what you do?  So do I", the current verse prop kids went back to their seats and the next verse prop kids came to the front.  By the time we were singing the end of the beginning "when all the world is green", they were in the correct order and we sang away!  They did great!

 Verse 1 props:  Fishing pole, Pillow, Cloud

You may need to clarify the definition of "bank".  None of the Jr. Primary kids knew what that phrase meant as they thought it had to do with Savings accounts and such. Kind of funny:)

 Verse 2 props:  Swim goggles, Hand fan, Artificial greenery with a swing hanging from a "branch".  Artistry done by courtesy of my 11 year old, Olivia and attached to the swing with poster putty.  The swing is made from craft foam and hemp string.  

The primary kids LOVED this prop.

 Verse 3 props:  Flag, Lemonade bottle, Star sticks

What parade doesn't have flags?  I had just emptied 2 huge lemon juice containers the day before.  So I pulled one out of recycling.  Then I took 2 patriotic straws, taped them together for the length I needed and stuck it in the bottle.  Kids loved this prop, too.  They were instructed to NOT put their mouths on the straw.  EW!  

In Jr. Primary this week, we sang through the 3 verses, using the props.  Then I pulled out a prop from a separate bag.  These items are shown below:

Various Props:  A super hero cape (top), snake, tree, marshmallows, hero type book, flowers, bee, fire, sidewalk chalk

Last night I spent 3 hours driving one of my girls to archery class and back.  That gave me plenty of time to do some pondering.  I came up with 5 verses to teach the primary.  

1.  Do you go to the Lakes and catch water snakes to make the girls scream so high?

2. Do you roast a marshmallow to share with the fellow who sits with you by the fire?

3. Do you climb tall trees, or run from the bees that sting noses and make us cry?

4. Do you like to smell flowers, or read books for hours of heroes who fight for the right?

5. Do you like to use chalk and draw on the sidewalk fun pictures that make others smile?

I spent this morning gathering the props needed to help teach them.  I placed the props in a separate bag than the original verses' props.  The first prop that was pulled out was the snake.  I asked the kids what words rhyme with snake.  Sunbeams don't know how to rhyme. :)  But they sure are cute!!   I asked them to think about where they could find snakes and come up with a rhyming word.  LAKE!!  I drew 3 "lakes" on the chalkboard and labeled them.  Then I asked what would happen if they went to some lakes and found water snakes and then decided to take them home.  Oh yeah!!  There would be some screaming, don't you think?  This is how we learned these verses.  We didn't do all of them, but we got to 3 of them.  We sang them just once because of the time we spent discussing (me trying to pull the verses out of them so that they felt they were the ones making up the verses.  I'm very sneaky like that!) each verse.  

For Sr. Primary we didn't bother with the 3 original verses.  I jumped right into the rhyming process used in those verses to set up the activity for the props I had brought and already used with the Jr. Primary.  I let a child come up and look through the items in the bag and then choose what one would be used.  The first item chosen was the artificial "tree".  They spouted out different words that rhymed as I wrote them on the chalkboard.  When they got excited about "bee", I pulled that out of the bag.  It just so happens that 2 days ago I was stung by a bee on my NOSE!  So I told them about it and they came up with the last rhyming word needed for the "I" in "So do I" at the end of the song.  The picture below is the result of the 4 verses they made up today.  They were so proud of themselves!  We invited the presidency back in at the end and sang all the verses for them.  The presidency just laughed and laughed!  Especially at the last verse.

CHALKBOARD TRANSLATION

-Oh, what do you do in the summertime when all the world is green:

Verse 1: Do you roast a marshmallow until it is yellow and make a gigantic s'more pie?

Verse 2: Do you draw with some chalk, a picture of Spock flying The Enterprise?

Verse 3: Do you climb a tree or run from a bee, then scream 'cuz it made you cry? 

Verse 4: Do you jump in a lake and get bit by a snake, then float to the surface and DIE?

-Is that what you do?  So do I!

Verse 4 was my favorite!  I'm a bit morbid and I must say that these kids TOTALLY surprised me with their creativity.  The only verse I had much influence on at all was the bee stinging one.  But they did fantastic with their rhyming and music skills in this activity!  I just hope I still have this calling next month after posting about Spock and floating dead bodies being sung in Primary. :\   

"Live long and prosper"!

Mother's Day

Yes, I know.  It's nowhere close to the holiday!  I found this post in my DRAFT folder and I figured that if I didn't post it now, it may never get posted:)

I found this song on Sally DeFord's website and thought it was perfect for Mother's Day.  We needed a new song to learn anyway:)  This song is called An Angel To Watch Over Me. We learned verses 1 & 3.

"She watched by my cradle through long sleepless nights."

Because this is a seasonal song, I wanted a flip chart with all the lyrics.  I also thought the kids would learn it faster/better if I got some of their mom's involved in it.  So I had several mom's get their pictures taken for various phrases throughout the song.  Then I used them to make the flip chart.  For the final phrase of each verse, I had a group picture taken at our ward Easter Brunch of all the moms & kids who were there.

"God sent an angel to watch over me."

The 2nd verse is beautiful, but I thought it more appropriate for teenagers to sing.  But our YW weren't willing to do it, so I just dropped it. The song sounds just fine going from verse 1 to verse 3.  I used the flip chart in Sacrament Meeting while they sang to their moms.  It was small enough, & yet they were familiar with the pictures and so the lyrics weren't critical to see.  Just enough to prompt:)

We sang just 2 songs:  Mother Dear (which I also made a flip chart for) and then An Angel To Watch Over Me.  The kids did a beautiful job and many of the mom's had tears in their eyes by the time the last song was finished.

Having the different families involved in the making of the flip chart REALLY helped the children learn the song.  They LOVED seeing their moms and anticipated when their picture would be shown.  Fun fun!!!

If you'd like me to send you a pdf flip chart for Mother Dear, please send me an email request.

Thomas E. Normous Returns

I cannot believe that it has been 7 months since I last posted.  SEVEN MONTHS!!!  Life got really busy and stayed busy all through the summer.  It's the life of a stay at home mom of 3 teenage girls too young to yet drive.  Now my oldest has her drivers license and her own vehicle.  My running around has dropped by 90%, at least!  So my goal is to do better at posting more often.  Shouldn't be too hard, should it?  I guess we'll find out soon enough!

Our program is this coming Sunday.  So for Singing Time, I am pulling out Thomas E. Normous.  It's been 2 years since I last used him and I remember one of the young boys complaining last year because I never brought him to primary.

I don't know if I'll be using songs to create Thomas's tail with the Jr. Primary or if I'll do a Choose the Right type of activity to earn those feathers.  I could even assign certain songs or questions to a color and put the feathers in a sack for the kids to pull out.  But, as long as the little ones get to make his tail and the Sr. Primary gets to do the "plucking", everyone will be satisfied, right?

Wintertime Nursery Song List

If you go into Nursery to do Singing Time with them, a list of songs by your side is helpful.  If you DON'T go into Nursery, please consider it.  It is so worth it!  The new Sunbeams this year have had a great transition.  They know me and know what to expect with Singing Time.  Now I continue to build that relationship with next years kids in Nursery every week for 15 minutes. For the most part, I keep the Nursery Songs consistent.  However, I like to sing about the different seasons as they come.  I have learned that by rotating "action" songs with "props" songs is helpful, too.  That way we can be putting the props away at the beginning of the action song.  It runs smoother that way.  I can then dig out the props for the next song at the end of the action song we're singing.  It's all in the planning:)

This is my current (winter time) list of songs we sing every week:

Gathering Song:  Here We Are Together (in our nursery, sing kids' names).  I begin singing this song the second my foot enters the room.  That the signal for them to gather around me to begin Singing Time.


Singing Time 
If You're Happy - actions
It's Wintertime/Snow Is Falling all Around - sway the snowflake strings (see picture above) in time with the feel of the song
Once There Was a Snowman - actions
Sing a Song/Ring a Song - Bell bracelets
Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam - actions
5 Little Ducks - duck glove
I Am Like a Star - star sticks
Hinges - actions
Stand For the Right - "Bee" true crocheted bee
Follow the Prophet chorus - latter day prophet sticks & march in place
I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus - Jesus hearts to hug

Closing Song:  I Am a Child of God - continue to hug Jesus hearts

We always sing a'cappella. That's why I don't have page numbers on my list.  We move along quickly, so it's nice not to mess with a CD player.   The 2nd songs on the Singing Time list is the melody to "It's Autumntime" in the CS page 246 and "Rain Is Falling All Around" in the CS page 241.

I made up the lyrics for "It's Wintertime" to the tune of "It's Autumntime":
It's wintertime, it's wintertime, with snowflakes falling down.
It's wintertime, it's wintertime, with snow upon the ground.
It's wintertime, it's wintertime, enjoy the chilly air.
It's wintertime, it's wintertime, white snow is ev'rywhere!

We like to sway the snowflake strings while singing both songs.  We even let them tap our noses, hands & toes for the 2nd song.

Happy Winter Singing!

Snow Day!

Living in the Northwest Puget Sound area, we rarely experience snow.  So when it happens, it's quite an exciting thing!  This morning was no exception.  Although I had Singing Time planned & ready to go for today, I just felt that we should celebrate the unusual weather.

Last year, I found this "Emergency" Singing Time Plan on Kathleen's blog.  As a person who LOVES to plan ahead, I thought it a great idea to be prepared for a Singing Time Emergency.  So I made the snowflakes, riddle lists, song lists and informed the Primary presidency about it.  Well you know what they say:  "Plan for an emergency and chances are you'll never have one".  So true!   So I decided that the Sunday snowfall qualified for an Emergency Singing Time today.

The kids were all hyped up because of the fun weather & this Singing Time kept them plenty busy!  Next week we'll just do what I'd already had planned for today.  No harm done, no time lost!

If you choose to use my riddle & song list, just make this change to #5:
Riddle-When you were born, your were given a special light.  This gift helps you choose the right.  What song am I?  (As a Child of God-2012 Outline)

Christmas Songs Flip Charts

I have been making Christmas song flip charts, too!  I LOVE Christmas music:)  I make myself wait until the day after Halloween to load up my stereo.  I actually made it to November 3rd this year!

Our Christmas Story Tree By Jan Pinborough & Michael F. Moody was published in The Friend Magazine, December 2010.  There is even an mp3 of it!  I started teaching it to the Sr. Primary just this last week.  I have a 32 inch fake Christmas tree.  I found little ornaments at Walmart for about $2 for each kind (angels, silver stars, red packages).  I already had mini candy canes that we use every year on our family Christmas tree.  To introduce the song, I sang it to them as I decorated the tree according to the words in the song.  With the parts of the song that told what the ornaments represented, I used those specific flip chart pages & placed them on the chalk board.  Once I made it through the song, we discussed what the ornaments represent.  By the end of our discussion, all of the flip chart pages were up on the board.  Then I chose someone to come up and add another set of ornaments as we sang the song together.  I had 4 sets of each ornament total.

Lullaby, Little One By Larry A. Allred was published in The Friend Magazine in December of 1999.  I have been torn between teaching the primary this song or "Our Christmas Story Tree"!  If I hadn't taken the time to teach them those Thanksgiving songs, I would be able to teach them both.  BUT, it's not very often they get to learn a new Thanksgiving song & they loved it!  So this is on my list for next year & I already have the flip chart finished:)  I'm such an over achiever!  This Lullaby, Little One song is a beautiful song & I still find myself humming it as I go about my day.

Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus pg. 38 in the Children's Songbook is always a favorite!

The Shepherd's Carol pg. 40b in the Children's Songbook is short and fun to sing.  This can be sung in a round, up to 4 groups.  I don't like how "mushy" is sounds with all 4 groups singing, so I only do 2.

The Nativity Song pg. 52 in the Children's Songbook is great!  It is a LONG one, though.  But you just can't leave out any of the verses without it feeling incomplete.  We sang this one last year. Instead of having all of the kids learn all of the verses, I split them up.

On the first flip chart page of their assigned verse, I placed a bright piece of paper that had a picture to represent their classes (Jr. was a smiling sun for the Sunbeams and a CTR shield for the older classes) or I just wrote their class name (Sr. Valiant Girls or Boys).  If ALL kids were to sing, I had an "ALL" sign that even the Jr. Primary kids understood.  This was enough for the kids to know when it was their turn to sing & they could see exactly what they were to be singing.  When we came to a class part that wasn't currently in our Singing Time (we do separate Jr. & Sr. singing/sharing times), it was the teachers' job to sing so that the kids could practice NOT singing when it wasn't their turn.  It worked great & by the time they sang in Sacrament Meeting they did a wonderful job!

So this is how I split up the song:
Verse 1:  ALL
Verse 2: Valiant Girls
Verse 3: Jr. Primary
Verse 4: Valiant Boys
Verse 5: ALL

If you have a larger primary, you can further split the verses into "a" and "b" parts.  The "a" parts would be the first 2 lines of the verse and the "b" parts would be the last 2 lines of the song.

Happy Christmas Singing! 

Thanksgiving Songs Flip Charts

The primary kids work 8-9 months out of the year to learn AND memorize the songs required for the annual Primary Program.  I am of the opinion (and I'm VERY opinionated) that every song they learn doesn't need to be memorized.  I have made flip charts for reverent songs to use as opening or closing songs throughout the year & the teachers REALLY appreciate them, too.

So for the "holiday" songs, I have been busy making A LOT of flip charts!  This way we can have fun singing the songs in different ways without the stress of memorizing them as well.  The kids really don't mind the extra help as long as they are engaged & enjoying the time spent singing the songs.  If we end up singing any of these in Sacrament meeting, the flip charts are small enough for me to handle easily and I try to keep the fonts large enough to be seen at a distance.

A Song of Thanks pg. 20a of the Children's Songbook is a sweet song.  Short & sweet!  This is one that I have been using this month as an opening or closing song.  I also simplified it for my early beginner piano students & they all enjoyed learning to play it at home.  One of my students came to lessons last week & when she pulled out this song to play for me she said, "We sang this song in Primary!"  They love to play songs for their Family Home Evenings, too.

I Thank Thee, Dear Father pg. 7 of the Children's Songbook is one that I chose to make a flip chart for use as an opening or closing song.  There are so many songs about gratitude in the songbook that the kids just don't know!  November is the perfect time to introduce them.

I'm Thankful To Be Me pg. 11 of the Children's Songbook was "new find" for me.  I have never heard it before & thought it's message was perfect for my Jr. Primary.  It is such a simple song with a lovely melody.  It's written a bit high for my taste, so I went to the LDS website & lowered it for our pianist.  Instead of finding pictures on the internet/websites, I thought it would be fun for the kids to draw their own pictures.  I took our family white board and some colorful dry erase markers to primary.  The first week we took the time to have a few kids draw a phrase of the song. We sang the song while I pointed to their pictures.  When Singing Time was over, I took the white board into the other room & took close up pictures of their drawings.  I uploaded the pictures to my iPhoto and then simply dragged & dropped them onto my document pages.  I added the words in large font & printed them all off on card stock paper.  For the last page, I have a 4x6 mirror with magnets on the back that I put on it to represent "ME".  Because who do YOU see when you look in a mirror? When I showed them their flip chart the next week, they were excited to see their drawings!  I even took the time to hand write the "artists" names on the back of their picture:)  I had a funky turkey hat that the teachers wore if their class sang the song the loudest or had the most participation, etc....We sang it 4 times so that all 4 teachers had the "privilege".  It was a great way to teach & learn this song in only 2 weeks!

My Blessings by Janice Kapp Perry, published in The Friend, November 1983.
This is a great 2 part song, similar to "A Child's Prayer".  My Sr. Primary loves 2 part songs so why not teach them a new one?  Again, this one is a bit high for my Sr. Boys, so I re-entered it into my personal computer music program & then clicked a button to transpose it.  I love my computer program:)  It also made the notes easier to read than the original copy.  I introduced this song to the Sr. Primary on the same day I introduced "I'm Thankful To Be Me" to my Jr. Primary.  So the flip chart is made from their personal drawings.  I realize that you most likely won't want to use these "white board" flip charts.  However, I wanted to show you that all flip charts don't have to be the same.  Just pray for a bit of creative inspiration that will work with your primary.  By the end of our 2nd week of singing this song, allowing the kids to mix up with others for the different parts as well as having a Sr. Boy come to the front to lead the 2nd part, they were singing with such love & volume that the bishopric could hear them clear down the hall!

I Am Glad For Many Things pg. 151 of the Children's Songbook is an oldie but a goodie!  My niece sang it in Sacrament Meeting last year, but she needed it to be a bit longer:)  So my oldest daughter & I came up with Additional Lyrics.  So there are more verses in the flip chart than what's in the songbook.  I also have used this song along with "Thanks To Our Father" to teach the kids what a Medley is.  You can read more about it here.

Thanks To Our Father pg. 20b of the Children's Songbook is a fun melody to sing.  It's not a fast song!  It's simple & you can use actions as you sing it instead of using the flip chart.  This month I started singing this song (using actions only) in Nursery Singing Time. We sing it before the closing song & it helps bring back the reverence:)

So there you have it!  Lots of Thanksgiving songs available & the kids get excited to learn them.  Even though teaching my kids these Thanksgiving songs cut into learning the Christmas songs in a timely manner, I don't regret it.  The kids had fun with them!

Goblin Guts, Bats & Rats

Better late than never, right?!  At least it'll be here for you next year:)  This is a singing time I did both last year and again this year.  This year I used it as a review tactic for the Primary Program songs.  I FORGOT my camera so that I could take pictures of the set up in the primary room.  So I had to recreate it at home & it's not nearly as cool.  But it'll give you the idea, anyway.

The idea is for the kids to spray silly string at a rat or bat.  Then sing the song assigned to the number on that creature.  Another child will dig for bugs in the goblin's guts.  The type of bug they find is what "bug" you're going to work out of the primary song to make it performance ready.

On a large cork board (back of a chalk board), I place 2 kitchen garbage bags that are taped together.  This will protect the board from the silly string.  Then I thumbtack the net/web over that.  I found this fishing net last year at the dollar store during their Luau Season.  Fishing net/spider web.....all the same, right?

I found rubber rats and plastic bats around Halloween at Walmart.  With a white paint pen, I wrote numbers underneath them.  Each number/creature is assigned one of the program songs.  I wrap them into the web in a way that they won't fall, but are easily removed once they've been "killed".

To poison & kill the creatures, we use silly string.  Kids LOVE it! 

That black bat is DEAD! 

These are the "bugs" in the goblin guts.  If a snake is picked, then we work on standing still (no wiggling) during the song.  Frogs are volume.  Spiders are watching the chorister at all times (no wandering eyes) throughout the song.  Insects are pronunciation or knowing the words of the song.

I cooked a package of spaghetti noodles.  After a cool rinse, I added green food coloring to the noodles & stirred until all noodles were green.  Then I added a tablespoon or so of Olive Oil & stirred the noodles around to get them all coated.  I did this to prevent the noodles from sticking together and to make them feel more slimy. Then I placed the green "Goblin Guts" in a large clear bowl.  I added the "bugs" to the guts, hiding them randomly among the noodles.  I provided rubber gloves for anyone that wanted to dig, but not get their hands slimed.  I also had a package of baby wipes & paper towels for clean up for those who really wanted to get into it.

One child is chosen to kill the bats/rats with the poison spray.  While they are doing that, another child comes up to dig in the Goblin Guts for a bug.  The bug they pick is used to work on the song that the poison spray shoots.  We had a BLAST getting the "Bugs" out of our Program songs!  I was amazed at the one Sunbeam girl who is quiet & shy that JUMPED at the chance to dig through the Goblin Guts.  AND without a rubber glove!  She was my hero (heroine) that day:)

Scary Skeleton!

Tomorrow is our Primary Program.  The last 2 weeks of Singing/Sharing Time have been used for rehearsals.  Tomorrow we will resume our regular schedule:)   We will have a fun Singing Time by piecing together this skeleton while singing the fun songs we don't get to sing most of the time.

I found a large printable skeleton online & printed it onto cardstock paper. I bought 2 black foam boards from the dollar store.  I used a whole board & then ended up having to cut 9 inches off of the 2nd one, taping it on one side to the whole board to give room for the skull.  This really IS a large skeleton.  Probably around 4 feet long.

I then placed the bones on the board & traced each piece with a pencil.  I went over those trace lines with a silver Sharpie Marker to visually stand out.  Then I laminated each skeleton piece.

I partnered up each matching bone, sticking them together with poster putty (hands, feet, legs, etc).  I will place the 11 pieces on a table and the skeleton foam board on the chalkboard.  Kids will take a turn choosing a piece from the table & placing it/them on the corresponding spot on the skeleton board.  I assigned a song to 5 of the 11 pieces so that we can sing as well put the Scary Skeleton together.

The songs I chose for Jr. Primary: Do As I'm Doing; Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes; If You're Happy; Popcorn Popping; Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam

The songs for Sr. Primary: The Wise/Foolish Man; Popcorn Popping; Follow the Prophet; BOM Stories; "Give" Said the Little Stream

  

Happy Scary Halloween!

Jesus' Tomb Singing Help

For Jr. Primary's Singing Time on Easter, I made Jesus' Tomb.  I wanted a stone to roll open and closed over the tomb's entrance (pictures are at the bottom of the post).  The children's voices will be "the power of the angel" that will open the tomb.  And of course, my iPhoto has decided to mess with me once again!  I cannot post the pictures of the tomb:(  I will try again tomorrow.  O.k, how about a MONTH later!!  Frustrating!

I will explain the tomb and the resurrection, the reason we celebrate Easter.  I'll make a point to explain who rolled the stone open from the tomb on the 3rd day, then liken it to their voices and the power they have to open this tomb's stone.  Inside of the tomb will be 6 paper heart with a song title on each one.  The stone will be rolled closed.  We will sing 'I Am a Child of God' to start with.  If the kids aren't singing well or paying attention, the tomb stone will remain closed.  When they sing well and are paying attention, the stone will slowly roll open.  I will have a leader open & close it.  When the stone is completely open at the end of the song, a child will be chosen to come up & choose a heart out of the tomb.  I will make a point to explain that they represent the love that Jesus had for us to willingly die & then be resurrected again.  We will repeat as long as time allows.

The songs will be:

• Jesus Has Risen pg. 70
• If I Listen With My Heart pg. outline
• Book of Mormon Stories pg. 118
• I Hope They Call Me On a Mission pg. 169
• Stand For the Right pg. 159
• I Love To See the Temple pg. 95

 

 

 

 

Because this post is LONG OVERDUE on account of my iPhoto woes, I'm not going to go into detail about how I put the tomb together.  It's pretty self explanatory by the pictures themselves.  However, if you do have questions for the 2012 Easter, just shoot me an email:)   Sheesh, stupid iPhoto.

St. Patrick's Day Singing Time

I have 12 Foam Shamrocks.  On the back of six of them I will glue a picture of a musical heart.  On the other six will be an Irish Riddle.  The Shamrocks will be taped to the front of the Primary Room Podium.  When it's time for Singing, I'll have "Patrick" (see picture above) in my hands.  His pot will be filled with 48 pieces of gold.  As I walk to the front of the room, I'll "spill" the coins all over the floor.  The kids will help pick up the coins by selecting a shamrock.  Each shamrock is worth 4 coins.  If they come up with the correct riddle answer they earn an extra 2 coins to pick up & place back in Patrick's pot of gold.  If they get a "Song of the Heart" shamrock, another child will come choose a card out of the Songs of the Heart Mailbox.  I have a sheet of riddles for those specific songs on hand.  I will read, or have them read the riddle for that song to guess.  We'll then sing that song & give the card to it's owner.  

Our purpose is two-fold:  First, to get all of the gold coins back into Patrick's pot of gold by the end of Singing Time and second, to begin using the children's Song of the the Heart cards they made back in January.  

You can adapt this idea in many ways that work for your primary.  I added the Songs of the Heart to my plan so that we can start pulling out of the Mailbox.  

Below I have the list of Irish Riddles found off of the internet.  I will just need 6 of them, but they're all great ones:)   I have updated my computer program & have found an option to save pdf documents to my iPhoto.  So I'm HOPING that by posting this riddles image you will be able to click on it & copy it off without having to resort to going to my scribd page (which I haven't posted this on yet because I want to know if you can access it through my iPhoto trick:).  Please try it for me & let me know if it works or not.  I'm most curious!

HAVE A HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Valentine's Day Eve

I have been neglecting my blogging responsibilities this month!  Life seems to take priority:)

For the month of February, I taught my primary "I Will Follow God's Plan" and "Scripture Power".  I used props to teach both songs.  Because of Stake Conference this weekend, we had just 3 weeks to learn/review the 2 songs.   The kids did a FANTASTIC job!  For week 2, I just wanted to focus on "I Will Follow God's Plan" & get it down.  Week 3 we'll just do "Scripture Power" by playing Hot/Cold.

Because it was Valentine's Day Eve on the 2nd week, I laminated 10 hearts.  (They'll definitely get more use than just this once:)   I wrote on the back of them a way to sing the song, "I Will Follow God's Plan".  I place the hearts around the room (on the walls, piano, podium, closet doors) & had a child choose one.  We then sang the song accordingly.  Once it was sung, we placed the heart on a much larger heart that was posted on the chalkboard.  We wanted to see how many we could get up there.  When our time was up in Jr. Primary, various kids couldn't stand not having ALL the little hearts up there so they went & grabbed the hearts & had me place them up on the big heart to fill it up.  They were giddy with excitement just to see all the hearts up there.  Easy to please!!  Here's the list of ways I wrote on the back of the hearts:

• Paint a Picture (Jr. Only)
• Pitch Sticks
• Crescendo the Crocodile
• Hold hands and sway to the beat (Jr. Only)
• Use Girl/Boy signs
• Your Choice (Sr. Only)
• Stand/Sit on key word (My, I, will)
• Take it in (Sr. Only)
• Color Blobs
• Skip a word (My, I, will)
• Use Hum Sign
• Rhythm accompaniment

So far, the favorite review help objects for both Jr. & Sr. Primary is the Pitch Sticks and Crescendo the Croc.  But they all vote the Croc #1!  The Sr. Primary ended up doing most of the hearts.  They did a wonderful job with Taking It In.  The Primary Pianist & I were amazed at how well they did.  The Jr. Primary didn't get through as many hearts. But the one that made the biggest difference for them was the Rhythm Accompaniment.  I explained to them what a rhythm was by having them place their hand over their heart.  They had to be really, really quiet so that they could concentrate on feeling their heart beats.  Then I had them just lightly tap their fingers on their chest to their own heart beat.  When they understood what the rhythm was, we sang the song & clapped our hands or our laps to the beat.  I would change it up & they'd copy me, always staying on beat.  They loved it!

Christmas Singing Time

This idea was shared by Kristen @ I Sing U Sing.  She has so many wonderful ideas that I've used over the last few weeks!  I did modify it a bit to fit my primary.  Some of the songs I chose are different & therefore I needed to use different scripture references.  I'm going to use a mini Nativity set I was given when first married many years ago.  It's one that I've always allowed my girls (that's right, no boys!) to play with even when little.  I will have all of the pieces set up except for the following:

Nativity scene:  

1.  Angel- Helaman 14:2 (sing "Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus", CS 36.  Flip chart)
2.  Mary- Luke 2:15-16 (sing "The Shepherd's Carol", CS 40.  Flip chart)
3.  Jesus- Luke 2:7 (sing "Away In a Manger", CS 42.  Chime/flip chart)
4.  Shepherd- Luke 2:8-10 (sing "Stars Were Gleaming", CS 37.  Chime/flip chart)
5.  Wiseman- Matt. 2:1, 11 (sing "Picture a Christmas", CS 50. Pics/Frame)

These pieces I will place throughout the room, in plain sight.  The children will choose one to place with the other pieces of the Nativity Scene & we'll sing the song that corresponds with it.  The Sr. Primary will also read the scriptures before singing the song.

The flip chart for "Samuel Tells..." is one from another wonderful site.  I love it when people share!  The flip chart for "The Shepherd's Carol" is one that I did and you're welcome to download.  The idea I got from the website or blog linked for "Picture A Christmas" pics/frame is worth checking out, too.  I did download my own pictures, but I didn't keep a file for it.  The flip charts for the other 2 songs & one chime chart were used by former choristers in my ward & I'm reusing them.

I made the chime chart for "Stars Were Gleaming".  I only did the first verse.  The main notes are the letters above the words that are written in blue marker (it's kind of hard to tell with this picture).  The purple letters are the harmony notes that the Sr. Primary can do.  I included the notes of the last 2 measures of the song.  It just needs to have the chimes to give it a finished sound:)  

Whew!  This Christmas Singing Time should take 2 weeks accomplish.  I'm counting on it anyway:)  We're singing songs in Sacrament Meeting this Sunday as well.  So it'll be nice to sing different Christmas songs.  Have a great weekend!  Get that shopping done:)

Could I Hold the Baby?

The primary children learned "Could I Hold the Baby?" 5 years ago for Christmas.  It is by far their favorite Christmas song!  Back when we first learned the song, the composer hadn't published it & we asked her for permission to sing it.  She granted us permission:)  I've just learned that she finally had it published!!  So I just bought the MP3 download ($1.60) with the voice & orchestral accompaniment.  It's a favorite song of mine as well.  I love it so much that I figured out the basic guitar chords for it and I'm playing/singing it at my Guitar Christmas Performance on December 15th.  Hmmm......maybe I could make those chords available.  I don't know about copyright laws, so.......?

I just wanted to share this information with you.  It's a beautiful song that brings the spirit into the room like no other Christmas song I know.  Please do a sample listen of it.  You won't regret it!   Do it, do it, do it.....

The Nativity Song

This is a flip chart of "The Nativity Song" from the Children's Songbook, pg. 52.   I finally learned how to convert it to PDF form!!  It only took me 3 weeks:(  Anyway, it is one of the 3 songs our Primary children are singing in Sacrament Meeting on Dec. 12th.  Our pianist plays the introduction only at the beginning of the song.  We cut it out between the verses to help the song move along.  The idea of the introduction was meant to be played while pictures could be swapped out between the verses.  However, no visuals are supposed to be used in Sacrament Meetings.

This is how the Primary are singing the song:
Verse 1:  Jr. & Sr. Primary sing
Verse 2:  Sr. Girls Only
Verse 3:  Jr. Primary Only
Verse 4:  Sr. Boys Only
Verse 5:  Jr. & Sr. Primary sing


Because I haven't yet figured out how to post a flip chart onto my blog, I submitted it to Sugardoodle.  They have posted it for me:)

Christmas Music Chain

I've had a pretty busy week.  I've spent a lot of time preparing myself & my piano students for next weeks Christmas recital.  Then on Saturday, my plan of making suckers with my girls extended from 4 hours to over 10!  Therefore, Singing Time preparations for today were non-existent.  I came up with a flimsy plan late last night & got to work on it this morning.  As I was preparing, I perused some of my favorite blogs.  I want to give a huge THANK YOU to Kristen @ "I Sing U Sing" for the idea of a Christmas Paper Chain for Singing!

Our primary is singing 3 songs in Sacrament Meeting next Sunday, December 12th.  We've been working on the songs since the first week in November.  So for today, I just wanted to go through each of the songs once and then move on.  But to what?  This is where that wonderful idea comes in:

We made a 7 link paper chain using 3 colors.  Each color represent one of the songs they are performing next week.  Each night they are to rip off a color & then practice the assigned song for their family.  The idea is to get them ready for Sunday by implementing the practicing at home for the week.

I had each "chain kit" put together & in a bag.  I handed the bags out to the teachers for their class.  Once we'd sung the 3 songs, we spent the rest of Singing Time putting the chains together.  

The children will definitely be ready for next week!!

Thanks, Kristen!

I Am Glad For Many Things

Primary Children’s Songbook pg. 151

(Lyrics only)

1.  I am glad for many things, Many things, many things.

    I am glad for many things That are mine today.

2.  I am glad for eyes that see & ears that hear when summer’s near.

     I am glad for eyes and ears that are mine today.

3.  God gave me my family, family, family.

     We are sealed for eternity.  His name I praise today!

4.  Heavn’ly Father loves me so, He sent His Son for all to know

     How to live and how to grow.  *I trust in Him each day.

                                           *(My faith I’ll show each day.)

                                           *(My faith shines bright today.)

      

5.  Thank you, thank you, my heart sings, My heart sings, my heart sings.

     Thank you for the many things That are mine today.

Lyrics for verses 1 & 5 are the original 2 verses published in the Songbook.

Lyrics for verses 2-4 were written by Tifany & Brynn Hoecherl, June 2008.

                        

On verses 2-4, you will need to insert an eighth note here & there to fit the added lyrics to the timing of the song.  

*Choose whatever phrase works for you.  I just couldn’t decide!!! 

          

I have also made a flip chart for verses 2 and 3.  You can find it here.

It's Autumntime

This is an idea I read about on Sugardoodle.  I already had store bought material leaves from a few years ago & I always have yarn:)

I used a blunt craft needle to thread the yarn through the leaf.  I tied a knot on both sides of the leaf to prevent it from coming off.

I left about an 8" tail of yarn for the children to hold on to & sway the leaf in time with the music.  It's a wonderful way to explain the "feel" of the songs.  

We began by singing "It's Autumntime" (CS pg. 246).  We swayed the leaves in time with the beat.  Once comfortable with that, we had the pianist set the tempo.  When he sped up, we swayed faster.  When he slowed, we swayed slower.  

We also used this concept with "Rain Is Falling All Around"(CS pg. 241).  Except we sang "Leaves are falling all around".  The Jr. Primary children loved it & they could hear & feel the tempo differences.  

Thomas E. Normous

This is Thomas E. Normous.  He doesn't have any tail feathers.  They were originally plucked to prepare Thomas for someone's Thanksgiving Feast.  However, he got lucky and didn't end up on anyone's table!  So the Jr. Primary worked hard to give him his beautiful tail feathers back for another year.  They earned 3 feathers for every song they sang today to help Thomas's tail return.  

 They absolutely loved it!

One thing that I have learned recently as the Primary Chorister is that Jr. Primary children love to build things......and Sr. Primary children love to tear them down!  So once the Jr. Primary succeeded in giving Thomas his tail, Sr. Primary proceeded to pluck them right out again!  Everyone was happy.  Well, except Thomas E. Normous:(   See ya next year, Thomas E. Normous!!

I made Thomas E. Normous by crocheting around a 6" styrofoam ball (body), and a 3" one (head).  This way the feathers can be pushed in over & over again & hold firm.  I don't have a pattern, I just did it free hand.  I made the feet & stuffed them so that Thomas could stand independently.  Thanks to my oldest daughter, Brynn, for coming up with a clever name for him!

Turkey Land of the Free

Here is Tommy the Turkey & his wife Betsy.  They love each other very much!  

Oh, no!  Tommy has been kidnapped to be served for Thanksgiving Dinner!  

Betsy was able to get away & go to "Turkey Land of the Free".  She missed Tommy so much!  She knew that he didn't have a good chance of getting away to live with her again in the beloved land of free turkeys. 

  But Betsy just knew that if the primary children could sing the songs beautifully and strong, Tommy would be able to sneak away from certain doom & on to freedom, one plate at a time.  

COME ON, PRIMARY!!

First they sang "The Nativity Song".   Twice!  They were able to help Tommy get off the carving plate:)  Next came the Giving Thanks Medley.  The children did such an awesome job of sing two songs as one that Tommy was able to sneak over 2 more plates!  Nice job kiddos!  He's just one song away from eternal bliss.  What better way to guarantee his freedom than to sing "Could I Hold the Baby?"?  *Sigh!*  They did it!  Tommy & his beloved wife, Betsy, lived happily ever after in freedom.

THE END

P.S.  I forgot to take a final picture of them together in freedom.  You'll just have to imagine how wonderful it was:)