"I Will Be Valiant"--a Sand Block Activity

Sand blocks are always a hit.

 There's something special about Singing Time during the last couple months of the year.  Without the pressure to focus on program songs, I love choosing songs that support the Sharing Time theme of the month.  November's theme is, "When we serve others, we serve God." So this week I chose to sing "I Will Be Valiant" (p.162), one of my favorites that we don't sing as often anymore.  Because this song has a bouncy rhythm, I decided to pair it with sand blocks. 

Where do I get sand blocks?

Amazon.com is my go-to for kids' instruments.  Here is their quick list of sand blocks.  A word of caution on the Basic Beat brand ones:  they are the cheapest for a reason.  A friend of mine owns several sets, and the handles on some fell off after less than a year. I don't have experience with any other brands, as I made my own.  A lot of work?  Yes.  A lot of money?  No.  It was a very simple project, and you can find my tutorial here.  

Do I present this activity the same in both Junior and Senior Primary?

 Absolutely not. See my post here on ways to keep it simple for the youngsters (while still providing them age-appropriate challenges) as well as more complex rhythms for the older kids.  If you have a combined Primary, take a look at this post about ways to adapt playing with instruments.  

What if the children don't know the song?

Not a problem. :)  The children can be entirely engaged in the music as they play their sand blocks, and they can listen to the words as you sing.  This is the perfect kind of activity for a song that the children don't know, but that you'd love them to hear.  

Happy singing!

Teacher Appreciation Day

It's Teacher Appreciation Day!

Primary songs stick with you throughout your life.  They become part of who you are.  Instead of telling the children this (they'd probably forget it anyway!), I'm planning an activity that will show them.  This Sunday I'm combining a few ideas I've seen and having a Teacher Appreciation Day, where I highlight the teachers and their favorite Primary songs.  My hope is that the children will not only get to know a little more about their teachers, but that they'll also feel how special these particular songs and their meanings are.  

Prep

Over the past couple weeks, I've contacted all the Primary teachers and leaders.  I asked for their favorite Primary song and an emailed picture of their family.  Then I printed out their family pictures on cardstock.

Presentation

I'll jump right in as soon as Singing Time starts:  "Since Thanksgiving is this week, let's talk about a group of people for whom we should be very thankful. Please raise your hand if you spend lots of your free time every week, getting ready for Primary...." The teachers and leaders should all raise their hands. "Let's learn a little bit more about your teachers today, so you can feel even more thankful for them.  Brother Smart's favorite Primary song is 'Love is Spoken Here.'  Brother Smart, why is that your favorite Primary song?"  After he answers, I'll explain that as I sing the song (the children are welcome to join me if they know the words), we'll be playing the game called Inside Camera.  The children should try to use the camera inside their mind to memorize the family picture of that teacher.  When I'm done singing, I'll turn the picture over and then quiz them. (How many kids does he have? Who in the family has a different color of hair? etc.)

I'll repeat for each teacher, naturally. :)

*   -Hearing why it's the teacher's favorite song could be either a spiritual or a word-focused activity, depending on the comments.

*  -Inside Camera is a visual activity.

A Change of Pace

The children will undoubtedly start to feel wiggly sometime in the middle. When that happens, I'll pause the Inside Camera game and sing "Fun to Do" (Children's Songbook p.253), using teachers' favorite hobbies.  

*  -Using actions for "Fun to Do" is a physical activity.

Have you highlighted your teachers in Singing Time?  What ideas have worked for you?

Happy singing!