primary singing time activities

May 2021 Primary Singing Time

This month’s singing time outline features the following suggested songs (I’ve included ways to sing them in your homes):

  1. When He Comes Again – While you watch this sing-along video, have the children match the pictures in this printable.  Keep playing and singing the first verse until they’re all matched up.  Then sing it with your kids once or twice with the pictures as your guide.  Some of these methods might seem repetitive but I can guarantee that your kids are listening and learning and that repetition is instrumental in that process.
  2. Have I Done Any Good? Introduce this song by watching this music video (featuring Alex Boye and Carmen Rasmussen).  For older children, you can also watch this short excerpt from a talk given by President Thomas S. Monson where he references this song.  There are some great images of things each of us can do to spread “goodness” throughout our communities and the world.  
  3. Choose The Right. Teach your kids how to sing and sign this song by watching this instructional video.  You can also watch the church’s sing-along video as an introduction.  You can also keep the kids’ hands moving as they sing by using these printable CTR shields found at the blog “In the Leafy Treetops”.’

April 2021 Primary Singing Time

What’s not to like about April?  Warmer weather, General Conference, Easter (most years, anyway) and my birthday!  Now I have another reason to love April – the suggested songs for Primary are short and sweet – perfect for teaching a classroom of rambunctious kids.  Or, since we’re still doing church pandemic-style, perfect for teaching whatever number of young’uns happen to live in your home.  

Here they are:

  1.  Jesus Has Risen  For this song, print and cut out a picture of the Savior for each child.  You can use this printable (6 to a page).  As you sing through the song, raise the picture up each time the Savior is referenced.  To “shake” things up a little bit, fill a plastic Easter egg with beans or rice, seal it up, and shake the egg each time the Savior is referenced.  The song’s message is simple and this exercise will reinforce the central importance of Jesus Christ in our lives.  (Modified slightly from a lesson on Camille’s Primary Ideas).
  2. I Want to Be a Missionary Now  Do you remember when we used these directional signs as we learned the first verse of this song during virtual singing time in February?  Dig them out and use them again with your families to learn the second and third verses.  You can also watch this sing-along video to help you.
  3. Jesus Said Love Everyone   Let’s learn a bit of sign language to go along with the words of this sweet song.  Check out this video to help you learn it!

Feel free to take the time to learn Joseph Smith’s First Prayer in your home over the course of this year.  Whether our Primary Program is virtual or in-person, I plan to include this beautiful hymn in some way.  You can use the storybook you received in January’s singing time packet. 

During virtual singing time a couple of months ago, we used our five senses to imagine what it must have been like that spring day – sun shining, birds singing, bees humming in a shady woodland.  That helped us learn the first verse of the song. 

I also have this printable to help learn the second verse.  It talks about some of the feelings young Joseph had as he prayed vocally for the first time.

And here’s a video I created for learning the third verse.  Grab a pair of glasses (or wait for the ones you’ll get in this month’s singing time packet) and try to imagine what Joseph saw as he spoke with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

 

March 2021 Primary Singing Time

It’s hard to believe it has been almost a full year since we last met together for singing time at church!  I miss meeting together, but I am a huge fan of home-centered learning.  Especially when it comes to the gospel.  The songs we sing in Primary can be sung just as easily at home, and we don’t really even need fancy methods for learning them (although they can help!) 

Parents: It’s important to remember that, while it may feel silly to sing these songs over and over, repetition is how children learn.  They also learn music by experiencing it – which is why I like to provide a few ideas for how to practice primary songs in new ways.  It may seem like a distraction and that the kids are just having fun, but since children learn by having fun, you can bet they are absorbing the music and words (especially if you do it more than once or twice).  In time, the meaning of the words will also sink deep into their souls and build their testimonies of eternal truths.

Here are the three suggested songs for March 2021(plus ways to introduce them to your children):

  1. The Church of Jesus Christ  Have you noticed how many times this song says the word “I”?  Print out this spinner activity on cardstock, attach a spinner (like this one you can buy on amazon) and follow the directions.  Play as many times as you want to!  You’ll have the song memorized before you know it.  You can also watch this sing-along video for some extra practice.
  2. When I am Baptized  Do you remember last year when we used ribbon wands as we sang this song?  You can try it again at home by making your own ribbon wand, or by using a scarf, or a bandana, or by using a stick(or even your hand).  Watch this instructional video on how to sing this song with ribbon wands (Borrowed from Camille’s Primary Ideas).  
  3. When He Comes Again  Cut on the dotted lines of this printable and have your kids match the words of the song to the corresponding picture as they listen to it.  Then sing the song together.  You can also watch this sing-along video.

Home-centered primary singing time for the win.

February 2021 Primary Singing Time

In January during our virtual singing time, we learned the first verse of Joseph Smith’s First Prayer by using our senses.  Could you sense what it was like in that grove of trees?

During the month of February, we are going to focus on the second verse of Joseph Smith’s First Prayer by understanding some of the emotions Joseph Smith experienced as he knelt to pray.  Use this emoji worksheet to better understand all the feelings young Joseph had at the time.  It will help you learn the words to the second verse.

The following are the suggested songs for Primary in February 2021:

  1.  I Want to Be a Missionary Now   As they strive to teach the gospel, most full-time missionaries will spend a lot of time walking.  Use these directional signs to walk in place while you’re learning the words to this song.
  2. The Priesthood is Restored  Play the game “Last Singer Standing” as you learn the words to this short song.  You may be short on breath while you hold out the notes.  
  3. I Stand All Amazed   Sing along to the words as you watch this sing-along video.  Another beautiful version of this song can be found here.

Happy learning!

Primary Singing Time – January 2021

Here are a few ways to learn the three suggested songs for Primary children in January 2021:

Joseph Smith’s First Prayer – In addition to your regular Come, Follow Me study in Joseph Smith History, use this song to teach your children the story of the First Vision.  Here’s a “storybook” to help them learn the words.  (Cut along the horizontal dotted lines and fold along the vertical dotted lines to assemble).  They can refer to it while you play the music.

(Original idea found at Primary Singing Time Ideas)

You can also watch this sing-along video for extra practice.

Search, Ponder and Pray – Print out this worksheet and follow the instructions for a fun way of teaching your children this song.  You can access the words, vocals, and music here.

(Modified from an activity found at Camille’s Primary Ideas).

Family History, I am Doing it – Junior Primary kids can become familiar with this song by listening to it (on repeat, if necessary) as they color this family tree worksheet.  For an extra challenge(I’m talking to you, Senior Primary kids), see how well they can complete a four-generation chart found here.  (While listening to and learning the song, of course).