Wednesday, November 11, 2015

"Bravely Let Your Light Shine": A Glow Stick Singing Time



Every year, I almost forget that I have to plan a Singing Time for the day of the Primary Program!  This year, I was helped along by an idea on the LDS Choristers Facebook group. I'm going to lighten things up for the children by bringing in glow sticks and by singing some songs that they have no pressure to learn.  (I bought my glow sticks in 12-packs from the dollar bins at Target, which seems to be the cheapest place around.)  Also, because President Monson's General Conference talk last month was about being an example and a light, I decided to tie in some of the scriptures and thoughts he shared and make the whole Singing Time about light.


Both Junior and Senior Primary

Glow sticks for everyone!
"I've Got a Little Gospel Light"  
I'm from the South, and I grew up loving this song! It's similar to "This Little Light of Mine," if you're familiar with that one.  I got permission from my bishop to sing it this week, and I'll teach the children the actions that go with it. It tells about not hiding our light under a bushel, about not letting anyone blow it out, and about letting our light shine everywhere we go. 

"Amazing Grace"    
I got permission for this song, too. :)  I'll turn out the lights and tell the children that the Savior's atonement and grace were the first gospel light. I'll pull out the first glow stick (leaving the others hidden) as I sing the first verse. Then I'll say, "As wonderful as one light is, two is even better."  I'll hand my pianist a glow stick, and she'll come up and sing harmony with me.  After we finish, I'll relate sharing our light to sharing the gospel of Christ, and then I'll ask who would like a glow stick.

"Shine On"  (p. 144) 
This song is so perfect for this Singing Time theme, and the lyrics fit right in with passing out individual glow sticks from a large bundle.  I'll sing this song as I pass out the sticks, asking the children to think about how the song relates to what I'm doing.

Various songs   
Pres. Monson said, "Bravely let your light shine for all to see."  I'll ask the children, "What song is so important, that you wish you could share it like a light with everyone you know?" My intent is to have this feel like a mini testimony meeting for the children.  I'll have the child come up front to help me conduct the song, and we'll let everyone follow our correct conducting pattern. I'll repeat this activity for the rest of the time.


Happy singing!

2 comments:

  1. I love this idea, Michelle! Fun, light-hearted, but still gospel centered and will definitely allow the kids to feel the Spirit.

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    1. Thanks! It went wonderfully. The glow sticks were a huge hit! And when we sang "Amazing Grace," the children went completely silent to listen and soak in the song. It couldn't have been better. :)

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