Singing Time Plan: October

Here is an example Singing Time plan for October.  I'm doing several simple activities to review program songs and practice with small groups.  If you teach in a small Primary where both Junior and Senior are combined for Singing Time, this is a great agenda for you, as the activities work well for both ages.  Have fun with it!

Junior Primary
Here come the egg shakers!	"Tell Me the Stories of Jesus"  (p.57)  Wand leading.  To practice the small groups and the whole Primary singing different verses, I'll have the groups stand in different corners of the room, and I'll turn back and forth to lead with a ribbon wand at their different turns to sing.
	"The Church of Jesus Christ"   (p.77)  Egg shakers with beat vs. rhythm.  Have the children shake the beat the first time through the song.  Then, have them shake the rhythm as you repeat.  The third time through, have an older child turn on and off the lights to signify a change between beat and rhythm.
	"He Sent His Son"  (p.34)  Take it in, take it out.  Challenge the children to stand and sing with you and then stop and sit at a signal (tambourine or the like).  The piano will continue, so they'll have to follow along inside their heads. (This is called audiation, and it's a powerful way to cement lyrics.) Switch back and forth, taking the song in and out.
	"I Know That My Savior Loves Me"   ASL review.

Senior Primary
"Tell Me the Stories of Jesus"  (p.57)  Wand leading.  See description for Junior, above.
"The Church of Jesus Christ"  (p.77)  Egg shakers with beat vs. rhythm.  See description for Junior, above.
"He Sent His Son"   (p.34)  Take it in, take it out.  See description for Junior, above.
"I Know That My Savior Loves Me"    ASL review.  I'll challenge them to close their eyes if they know the signs, and then I'll ask a few confident children to come up front and lead the next time through

Happy singing!

Sing a Story: An After-Conference Activity

   When I first participated in this activity in a Primary music workshop by Sharla Dance, I knew I had to provide the opportunity to my Primary children.   I don't use this activity often, so that it doesn't become commonplace, but each time I've presented Sing a Story, I've felt the Spirit intensely.  

How to Sing a Story

The idea is simple:  you tell a story that demonstrates the principle found in your song, and you intersperse lines of that song, singing a cappella by yourself.  The result is an opportunity for the Holy Ghost to powerfully testify of that principle's truthfulness. Once, I sang "I Stand All Amazed" (Hymns #193) with the story of a boy whose dad was in jail, learning about God's love.  Another time, I sang "Help Me, Dear Father" (p.99) about my own experience learning how to forgive my dad after I was angry with him.  

The week after General Conference, I love to sing the President Monson verse of "Follow the Prophet" (p.110) and tell the story of a boy wanting to follow Pres. Monson but not knowing how at first.  As part of this story, I'll include some of the direct invitations that Pres. Monson extended during this General Conference.  Here's how it might start when you put it together (talking in regular type, singing in italics):

Choosing a word strip for Sing a Story.
Something to 'ponderize'?

One Example

Connor bounced down onto the couch, hugging a pillow.  "Make sure you have a good spot," Mom said.  "General Conference is about to start!" --Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to return-- Connor's parents had taught him that Heavenly Father gave us General Conference so we could hear the words of the prophet, but it was hard to listen for so long and figure out what the prophet was actually asking him to do! --He blesses us with prophets who help us to learn.--Luckily, his mom had an idea that really helped him figure out how to follow the prophet. They listened especially closely to Pres. Monson's talks, taking notes on the things he asked everyone to do.--President Monson humbly leads God's church today--After Conference, they typed up his words, put them in a jar, and read them as a family.--As we heed his words we'll walk a righteous way.--Here's one thing Connor heard Pres. Monson ask everyone to do:  [Pull a strip of paper out of a jar and read:] "Let us speak to others with love and respect, ever keeping our language clean."--Follow the prophet--etc...

When I tell the story with an animated voice, the kids are drawn in. I admit that I have to practice a lot, in order to tell the story without looking at any notes!  When I've prepared well, and when I've prayed for help to present the story in the best way, it is always a beautiful experience. 

Happy singing!