Pioneers

Pioneer Day is coming up! 

Here are some of the activities I did last year with my kiddos that were EASY and a BIG hit.

My JR loved changing the words to 'Fun To Do'. I had someone pick a card and then we sang the new words and made up an action to go with it. Along the way I would tell them about the pioneer children and the tasks they had to do. I also had a bonnet and apron for the girls and a hat and scarf for the boys to wear. I choose good singer to wear the stuff while we sang.

If you'd like to download the cards and directions click below.

Click HERE to download Fun To Do cards.

I did a matching with my SR. Each match has a pioneer story or fact with a related scripture and song.

Click HERE to download Pioneer Matching cards.

I hope someone finds these useful.

Happy Pioneer Day!

I Love To See The Temple part 2

I'm teaching I Love To See The Temple this month. Because my kiddos already know it, I was just going to dive right in with the ASL (American Sign Language) that I posted about HERE.

But after listening carefully to the words, I decided to take one Sunday and just concentrate on the words and it's meaning. Sometimes I think we sing the familiar songs over and over and forget what the words are really saying and this song has such a beautiful message.

So I went to my good old stand by books for lesson ideas.

And here is what I came up with:

Sister Perry is such an inspired composer and I love to tell the kids about the composers any chance I get. Also the questions will get the kids thinking.
Next week, I'll jump into the ASL.

Click HERE to download my lesson plan.
I also made some question and answer cards to go with it.

Click HERE to download the cards.

Happy Singing!

I LOVE To See The Temple

My kiddos know this song really well so I thought it would be a good one to do sign language with. However, I'm a little bit challenged when it comes to remembering the words to the song let alone sign language. I watched the video on LDS.org but it was too hard for me. But I found another one on YouTube that I think I might be able to do. YEAH! She goes through and explains how to do each sign. Which is what I'll do when I teach my kids.

I also had my daughter-in-law make me a temple mirror.

I'm not the greatest photographer so the picture isn't very good. Sorry. All she did was cut out frosted vinyl and put it on an 8x10" mirror. Then I bought an inexpensive 8x10 frame and put the mirror in it. I chose the MT. Timpanogos Temple because it's closest to my home and the one the kids are all familiar with. 

I'm still deciding how to use it in Primary. But I think I'll show it to my kiddos and then tell them to do their signs in the mirror at home and to think about seeing themselves in the temple someday as they practice.

If you're interested in a mirror or anything else vinyl you can check out my daughter-in-laws vinyl company at www.chelsvinyl.com.

Happy signing!

What's the Word

I need a sub for Sunday and it's the holiday (4th of July). I decided to do an oldie but goodie and very easy for me and the sub.

I call it 'What's the Word'. This is the patriotic version.

 I made some fancy letters that spell out the word AMERICA for the JR. and LIBERTY for SR. I put the songs I want them to practice on the back. I got a decorative gift bag and put the letters in it. The kids will take turns picking a letter and singing the song. Then when all the letters have been chosen, they will try to guess what word the letters make. 

SIMPLE and VERY LOW PREP!

Click HERE to download the Patriotic version.

There are 4 different words to choose from: America, Liberty, Freedom, Patriot

I've not only used this for singing time but also to introduce a lesson or sharing time theme with other words by putting scriptures or quotes on the back of the letters. It's even engaging for adults.

Click HERE to download the regular version.

There are 5 words in this version: temple, prayer, prophet, faith, baptism.

Happy Singing!

My Flag Flip Chart

This was a new song to me. I taught it last year and my kids did a great job. I put up just the words: wave, brave, free, and liberty. We had a good discussion on the meaning of these words. Then I did the echo method with each phrase. They learned it pretty quickly. Too bad we don't sing more often.

So to review it this year, I made a flip chart.

Click HERE to download the flip chart.

Happy 4th of July!

Echo Microphones

How do you know when it's been a 'successful' singing time?

Sometimes that's hard to judge but I feel it's been successful when 3 things happen.

1. Most or all of the kids are singing.

2. The kids are engaged, learning, and eager to participate.

3. We feel the spirit.

This calling is such a hard balancing act. You have to have fun, sometimes silly activities to keep their attention but still be able to invite the spirit and teach the gospel.

This last Sunday, I had a 'SUCCESSFUL' singing time!

Over on the LDS Choristers Facebook page, Becca Rogers posted about using Echo Microphones.

So I went to Amazon.com and bought a package of 12 for $12.99. (sometimes they are even cheaper)

Becca had suggested some ideas how to use them which got me thinking of other ways they could be used. I'm sure you could come up with other ways too.

Click HERE to download the above handout.

Of course, JR loved them but I have some rowdy boys in my SR Primary and I was a little worried how it would go over. So before we started I 'set up the rules'. And they LOVED it. I have never had my kiddos sing so well. We sang several songs over and over so everyone got more than one turn.

Everyone was singing. They were ALL engaged learning the songs and eager to participate. And the spirit was very strong. We all had goose bumps!

I've got to say, it's the best $12.99 I've spent in a long time!

Thanks Becca for a GREAT idea!

When I Hear of Pioneer Children

I just saw a NEW Pioneer song in the July 'Friend'. It's called 'When I Hear of Pioneer Children'. Thank you Janice Kapp Perry!! You've done it again. What a beautiful song. 

It has such an inspiring message for our children (and us too) and how we can relate their lives to the hardships of the pioneers. I'm teaching this one for sure.

So I made a flip chart to help with the words.

Click HERE to download the flip chart.

Happy Singing!