Prepping for a New Songbook--Write Your Own Song!

Writing Primary Songs in Seminary I'm excited for the Church's new hymnbook and Children's Songbook! (Read the announcement here.) I also love the idea that anyone can submit songs they've written. The announcement came at an especially fun time because I had just had my seminary students, for a year-end lesson, write their own verses to Book of Mormon Stories. Here are a couple they wrote: 1. Aft’ they left the tower behind, the Jaredites embark.  Jared’s brother brought some stones to take away the dark.  To the promised land so that the people could be free.  Followed God, with the light righteously. 2. Enos was a bad hunter, he couldn't shoot a deer But his father prayed for him and asked that he would hear. The words of God forgiving him as he fell to his knees Through day and night, he asked in faith, righteously. And a fun one: 3. Laman and Lemuel weren’t so bad after all Sure they complained a lot but followed Moses Law They tied up Nephi but eventually set him free Mmmmh, no, they were psycho, righteously. Aren't these youth fantastic!? I love their thoughtfulness and creativity. Something similar to this could also be a fun challenge for your senior Primary. Then, if they wanted, they could submit their new verses to be considered for the new songbook!  I gave my students the following pattern to write their verses in groups: Line 1: 13 syllables, rhyme with Line 2 Line 2: 13 syllables, rhyme with Line 1 Line 3: 13 syllables, rhyme with Line 4 Line 4: 6 syllables + "righteously" We wrote their verses on the board so everyone could sing them, and they were really into it. I love any time we can bring the music of the Church into our lessons, to help students of all ages learn.

Happy singing!

Looking for other ways to get Senior Primary kids more involved?   Read how I've used child pianists, here. For an idea of how to adapt a junior Primary activity to be more interesting for senior, try this one.

8 Tips for Planning Primary Music from lds.org

Recently I was browsing around on lds.org, just to refresh my memory as to what resources were there for Primary music leaders. There is a page dedicated solely to planning music time, here. I don't remember this page from when I was first called! (But then again, that has been a few years...) The page offers 8 tips for planning Primary music, and I was excited to see how well they align with the principles that our favorite music mentor, Sharla, has been teaching for years. Each tip offers a brief explanation as well as a question for us to ask ourselves. Here is a summary:

1. Know the Song

Do I know the song well enough to make eye contact with the children?

2. Use the Scriptures

Do I connect the doctrine to the words the children are singing?

3. Sing, Sing, Sing

Do we sing more than we talk or play games?

4. Capture the Children's Attention

Do the attention-getters that I use enhance the learning experience?

5. Include Different Learning Styles

Do I vary my teaching plan to include different learning styles?

6. Direct Children's Listening

Do I ask questions that encourage thinking?

7. Involve the Children

Do I use activities that involve all of the children rather than a few?

8. Bear Testimony

Do I bear brief testimony of the doctrine taught in the song?

I strongly encourage you to check out the full article here. Now I want to go read the rest of the Primary music site. I wonder what we'll find next! :)

Happy singing,