iPad App- DECIDE NOW

Many of you probably already know about this great app but if you don't- listen up. It's called 'DECIDE NOW'.

You can customize your own spinning wheel to say whatever you want. It could be different songs you want to practice, or ways to sing, or classes to pick. 

Take your iPad or iPhone to Primary and let the kids take turns pushing the green button. It makes a fun sound they will LOVE to hear.

There is a free lite version but I don't think it's programmable but the other version is only $0.99. That's pretty cheap fun.

To get it just search your app store for 'Decide Now'.

It's a lot of fun!

Keywords

I found a great idea over on the Primary Singing Ideas blog from a few years back. Which she found on Sugardoodle.net (another great site for ideas).  It helps with learning the keywords in the song. You can check out her post HERE along with many of her other great ideas.

Basically, you make some cute keys, write some of the keywords to the song or verse. Next, have a child choose a key but don't let him/her look at the word, show everyone else (for Jr. you'll have to have him/her go out of the room while you tell everyone the word). Then sing the song BUT when you get to the keyword- DON'T sing it. The child tries to figure out which keyword you left out. In Jr. I'd just sing the word LOUDER. They don't always understand the concept.

Very simple and easy prep after you have your keys made. Here to help with that are my keys.

I just printed the amount I wanted on card stock, cut apart, and laminated. I'm putting them in a cute bag and I'm ready to go. 

I'm using them to practice all 3 verses of 'If I Listen With My Heart.'

Click HERE to download the keys.

Happy Singing!

Snowman Bowling

I found a fun little activity floating around on Pinterest and the LDS Chorister's Facebook group from a few years ago that I'm trying on Sunday. I need to spice things up a bit and I think this will do the trick.

You make a snowman out of toilet paper rolls. I used 13 rolls but you can use however many you want. I covered mine with plastic wrap so I can re-use the TP and the buttons and face tape on easier to it. Decorate with a hat, scarf, and gloves etc. (Mine is missing the gloves). You will also need a pretty heavy ball like a soccer or volleyball. When building him you need a bigger base of 2-3 rolls so he doesn't fall down too easily.

There are a couple of variation how you could use this for singing time:

1- As the kids are singing, build the snowman. Then have a reverent, good singer roll a ball and try to knock the snowman over. Each time you sing, have a different child roll the ball. This will give several children a turn. It also helps if you have a teacher be the builder so you can concentrate on the singing. Sr Primary could probably take turns building.

2- Pick a song to work on. Each time the kids sing the song well, add a piece or two to the snowman. When he is all built, pick someone to knock him down. Then you can start over on another song.

I made a copy of my face and buttons if you'd like to download it.

Click HERE

Happy Bowling!

If You're Happy

Here is a little visual especially for my new little Sunbeams for

 'If You're Happy and You Know It'.

This would also be great to have in the Nursery box.

Click HERE to download the file.

Sunbeams!

The new little Sunbeams are so cute! It's so fun having them in Primary. 

Here is a fun way to sing 'Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam'.

It keeps the kids from jumping up all over the place. 

Last year, I shared my chorister calling with a very talented lady named Mindy. She actually came up with this cute idea. She had her brother draw some cute faces to have the kids do the song with. I'm not artistic so mine are from a talented clip art artist. 

Click HERE to download the file.

What Does the Prophet Say...

Here is a little visual for the Jr. Primary kids for the 2nd verse of "If I Listen With My Heart".

There are 10 speech bubbles.

Things went so well when I used something similar with the Sr. Primary HERE, I decided to do a simplified version for the Jr.

This could also be used any time you're teaching about the prophet.

Click HERE to download the file.

Happy Singing!

Pres Monson Quotes

Here is an activity I'm using to teach the 2nd verse of "If I Listen With My Heart".

Click HERE to download the quotes file.

Happy Singing and Quoting!

Puzzles for Singing Time

This is an idea from way back but still fun to do. 

What child doesn't LOVE to put a puzzle together?

Buy a picture from the Distribution Center like a temple or Joseph Smith about 11x17 or larger. Cut it up into 8-12 pieces. Write a song and a question on the back. Place the pieces in a cute bag and take turns choosing a piece. Sing the song, answer the question and try to put the puzzle together.

This is a great idea to have made up ready to go for that Sunday when you can't get out of bed and need a sub.

Click HERE to download the directions.

LDS Sing Along App

I found the BEST LDS Sing Along App.

I'm a visual learner and this has helped me so much to learn the Primary songs.

It has a video for ALL the Hymns, Children's Songbook, and Additional Children's Songs like 'If I Listen With My Heart'. If you're really tech savvy, you could hook this up to a TV or projector and use it in Primary.

It has a bouncing ball that hovers over each word as you sing it. The pictures are great and go along well with each song. It also has a feature that you can have the music only without the singing. It has a playlist option so that you can create your own playlist. I have one with all this year's program songs. I also have one with all the Articles of Faith. They've been hard for me to learn with the strange melodies. But this has REALLY helped.

There is a free version that has just a sampling of some of the songs. I'd recommend trying that first. And then if you LOVE it you can buy the whole thing for $9.99. It's been the BEST $9.99 I've ever spent.

I put my iPad on the counter while I'm doing my hair and make-up and listen and watch the videos. I've been amazed how fast I'm learning the songs.

I let me grandkids use it. And they love singing the Primary songs. I wish all my Primary kids had this app. It would make my job a whole lot easier.

To find it, just go to the app store on your phone or tablet. Search for LDS Sing Along and it should come up.

Sing-A-Message or Scripture

I'm getting ready for Ward Conference and I wanted something that would motivate my kids, but challenge them, keep them engaged, easy, and be spiritual.

Here's what I'm doing:

I found a message and a scripture from the sharing time outline for the week so it goes along with what the Presidency is teaching and printed them. Got a cute bag and now I'm ready.

This works GREAT for a last minute substitute too!

Click HERE if you want to download these directions.

2 More Flip Charts

Growing up, one of my favorite Primary songs was, The Golden Plates. It seemed like we sang it every week. I was VERY surprised to discover that my Primary kids don't know this song. So for the rest of the month, I'm going to be singing it for the opening song.

I made a flip chart if you're interested.

By the way, in the 2nd verse they changed a phrase in the song from what I learned. Now we sing, "written in days of old". In my day it was, "a Godly man of old". 

Click HERE to download the flip chart for THE GOLDEN PLATES.

In the sharing time guide, it suggests singing the chorus of the hymn "The Iron Rod". So I made a flip chart for it also.
I updated the flip chart to included all 3 verses and the chorus!

Click HERE to download the flip chart for THE IRON ROD.

Happy Singing!

Scripture Power Flip Chart

I've had a request for a flip chart for Scripture Power.

Here is one for both verses.

Click HERE to download.

Articles of Faith Flip Charts

Many of you may be starting the Articles of Faith with the new year.

I just finished making flip charts for all 13.

Our Primary likes to do one each month (except we combine 1 & 2 in January). We all stand and say it then sing the song. We only do them with the Senior Primary. But I think I'll do a few with the Junior this year.

Click HERE if you'd like to download the Articles of Faith flip charts.

Happy Singing!

Song List

I have found this list very helpful especially with my Senior Primary . 

When I'm choosing songs to sing for opening and closing, this list helps me know what my kiddos are somewhat familiar with because they have been leaarned in years past.

Also, I use it when I'm selecting the 2 songs I get to choose for the Sacrament Meeting Presentation. I like to find songs they haven't learned yet.

I found it interesting that four songs are used twice in the 5 year rotation: He Sent His Son, I Will Follow God's Plan, Stand for the Right, and When I Am Baptized. Boy, they should really know those songs then.

Click HERE if you'd like to download a copy.

Extra Song Poster

I've had several requests for extra song posters and I hope I haven't over looked any. (If you don't know what I'm talking about you can check out the earlier post HERE). I've tried to make them and email them to you that requested them. However, I found a few on my personal messenger yesterday that I hadn't noticed before so now I'm worried I may have missed a few. If I missed you I'm soooo sorry!!

So I'm sharing my file of EXTRA song posters.

 Here are 26 other songs that some of you are using this year. 

Click HERE to download the file. 

Then print the ones you need.

If you don't see the ones you need, then email me (shereerae@gmail.com) and I'll make you what you want.

THANKS EVERYONE for reading my blog! I hope it helps.