Singing Time Plan: July #1

Happy 4th of July!  I hope you're planning a wonderful holiday.  Let me help plan your Singing Time for the following day. :)

Junior Primary
Follow the footsteps	"I Feel My Savior's Love"  (p. 74)  Partner scarves.  Partners hold long scarves and move them up and down, then side to side with the music.  I have pictures in my previous post here.
	"Come, Follow Me"  (Hymns #116)  Follow the footsteps.  Cut out paper footsteps and tape them to the ground in a circle around the room.  On the walls along your path, have pictures of the Savior. Invite the children to follow you, stepping on the footsteps.
	"The Holy Ghost"  (p. 105)  Arm circles. Stand and sway side to side with the music--swing your arms right, left, big circle around, left, right, big circle around.
	"I Know That My Savior Loves Me"       ASL

Senior Primary	First letter fill-in
"I Feel My Savior's Love"  (p. 74)  Rhythm stick roll.  With a partner, softly roll rhythm sticks back and forth.  Find a more detailed description in my post here.
"Come, Follow Me"  (Hymns #116)  Melody map.  I can take no credit for this awesome activity!  I took the idea straight from Sharla Dance, and you can read her explanation here.  I made my own chart to mimic one of hers.
"Tell Me the Stories of Jesus"  (p. 57)  Scripture search.  Sing verse 2 and ask the children to find the story in the scriptures, using the topical guide.
"The Holy Ghost"  (p. 105)  First letter fill-in.  Write the first letters of every word of the song on the board, in order.  (See picture at right).  Pass out chalk and ask the children to come fill in the words as you sing. They don't have to go in order, though, which they'll enjoy. :)

Happy singing!

Nursery Music Time--An Example Agenda

Rhythm instruments in Nursery

Chubby fingers. Wide eyes.  Energy that can't possibly be contained in one spot.  These are some of my favorite things about Nursery!  These 18-month to 3 year-olds absolutely soak up music time, and I love teaching them because it's an entirely different experience than with the older children.  I listed principles of effective Nursery music time in my previous post here, and if you want the most benefit from today's post, pause for a moment to review those principles.  Here, I'll give an example of how to put those principles into practice with a Nursery music time plan.  You can find the principles mentioned in italics.  Here's my agenda:

“Here We Are Together” (p.261)

Always start with the same gathering song, so the children know what to expect.  Help them find a carpet square while you sing.

“Rain is Falling All Around” (p.241)

Pass out felt raindrops attached to yarn. Dangle them over your head, toes, etc. as the lyrics suggest.  At times, call out, "Freeze!" and see if the children can match your placement. Repeat.

“Once There Was a Snowman” (p.249)

Do actions as the lyrics suggest.  Note that this song matches body movements to high and low notes. Repeat.

“I Love to See the Temple” (p.95)

Pass out one laminated temple picture to each child as you're singing.  Be sure to sing more quickly than you normally would sing this song.  Collect the pictures as you sing a second time.  Note that this spirit-filled song still incorporates something to hold.  

“Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” (p.275)

A chance to stand and wiggle after sitting still! Repeat fast and slow. 

“Follow the Prophet” (p.110)

Pass out rhythm instruments.  Encourage the children to follow your example and keep a steady beat.  Repeat the same verse.

“The Wise Man and the Foolish Man” (p.281)

Invite the Spirit by telling the children that this is a story Jesus told.  Sing with actions. Repeat.

“I Am a Child of God” (p.2) 

Invite the Spirit by telling the children you will show them a child of God. Give a dollar store hand mirror to each child.  Be sure to sing quickly, and then repeat as you take back the mirrors.  

This is obviously just one idea for a Nursery music time.  I'd love to hear which songs and activities your little ones love, too. :)


Happy singing!