July 22, 2012

Opening Song: Reverently, Quietly (p26)
Closing Song: I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus (p78-79)


Wiggle Songs: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (p275a)


Program Song: 
Review Songs: As a Child of God (outline), Choose the Right (Hymn 239), Stand for the Right (p159), I Feel My Savior's Love (p74), When I Am Baptized (p103), Nephi's Courage (p120-121), The Wise Man and the Foolish Man (p281), the Fourth Article of Faith (p124)

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Identify the doctrine: Review Day!


Help the children understand it:

1. 3 minutes - Sing Wiggle Song (remind children that we can be silly but need to still be reverent in Heavenly Father's house).

Listening and Singing Experiences:


Junior/Senior Primary

1. 15 minutes - Straw Blowin' (make sure each child gets a turn, if you run out of straws, use the extras provided (in separate bag) that will repeat songs already sung.
• Set Up: Using the painter's tape, mark a starting line in the back of the primary room (I would put it right behind the rows of chairs (facing the back chalkboard). From the starting line, mark 4 other lines moving closer to the blackboard (varying distances). Put a trash can near the starting line for kids to throw away the straws in.
• Directions: You will ask a reverent child to choose a straw from the jar. That child will stand on the starting line and blow through the straw. A little paper will fly out (hopefully, haha), and whichever line it lands closest to is how you will sing the song. 
• Line 1 = sit backwards on chair while singing (you'll need to lead from the back)
• Line 2 = march in place while singing
• Line 3 = sing while making a figure 8 with one hand in the air
• Line 4 = sing on one foot
• You can always change the "challenge" to do while singing as necessary
• Visual Aids: Here is a list of the visual aids you may use while singing each song. Some will be in my bag, others are stored at the church, some don't have any (familiar songs). Ask any of the presidency to help you find them. 
• As a Child of God - poster. There are pictures that go in the slots for each verse.
• Choose the Right - flip chart.
• Stand for the Right - flip chart. "Be True" word sticks.
• I Feel My Savior's Love (verse 1 only) - flip chart. I've taught them the sign language.
• When I am Baptized - poster.
• Nephi's Courage - story sticks in file folder. Storybook flip chart.
• The Wise Man and the Foolish Man - hand actions (the kids know them).
• The Fourth Article of Faith - poster with ladder.
• Book of Mormon Stories - hand actions.
• Families Can Be Together Forever - none.
• Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam - jump on "sunbeam".
• I Love to See the Temple - none.
• I Am a Child of God - none.
• Popcorn Popping - hand actions.
• Transition: After the game, and before you turn them over for Gospel Instruction, leave 1-2 minutes to sing a reverent song back in their seats (Families Can Be Together Forever, I Am a Child of God), or choose from Songs of the Heart box.
2. 2 minutes - Songs of the Heart

Nursery (following singing time, go into Nursery and sing the following songs with them)

1. Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam
2. Give Said the Little Stream
3. I Feel My Savior's Love
4. I Love to See the Temple
5. Families Can Be Together Forever
6. I Am a Child of God

July 15, 2012

Opening Song: I Am a Child of God (p2)
Closing Song: Families Can Be Together Forever (p188)


Wiggle Songs: Hinges (p277), If You're Happy (p266)


Program Song: Nephi's Courage (p120) - 3rd verse
Review Songs: 
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Identify the doctrine: Just like Nephi, the Lord asks us to keep His commandments. When we are tempted to make the wrong choice or think we can't choose right, we must be courageous like Nephi and say "I will go and do!".


Help the children understand it:

1. 5 minutes - Sing Wiggle Songs (remind children that we can be silly but need to still be reverent in Heavenly Father's house).

Listening and Singing Experiences:

Junior/Senior Primary

1. 10 minutes - Nephi's Courage 

• We've been practicing Nephi's Courage, and we know the first 2 verses really well! Today we're going to practice the 3rd verse. Sing the 3rd verse to the kids (you can have teachers sing with you if you don't want to sing alone). While you sing, ask the kids to listen for how many times you sing "I" (10 times). 
• Teach the kids the sign for "I" (point to your chest); tell them that every time we sing "I" to point to themselves. Sing verse together.
• Next teach kids actions, line by line. Remind them to point to themselves whenever we sing "I"
  "The Lord gives us commandments" (hands like a book, commandments are in scriptures)
  "and asks us to obey" (point finger in like a parent would while scolding)
  "Sometimes I am tempted to choose another way" (both palms up, lift one and then the other as though you're weighing the options)
  "When I'm discouraged" (hold your head with one hand, like you have a headache or feeling down)"and think I cannot try" (shake your head "no")
  "I will be courageous and I will reply" (show off your muscles!)
• The kids know the chorus.
• Repeat a couple times. To keep kids attentive, you can have them stand up, march around the room, sing boys vs girls alternating by line, Jr primary vs. Sr. primary alternating by line, etc). I also have "how to sing" sticks in a file folder you can use as well. Do what's most comfortable for you.
• Sing the entire song (verses 1-3). Use the storybook flipchart. 

     2.   Fast finisher - Songs of the Heart (Choose songs from striped purple/red box)

Nursery (following singing time, go into Nursery and sing the following songs with them)

1. Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam
2. Give Said the Little Stream
3. I Feel My Savior's Love
4. I Love to See the Temple
5. Families Can Be Together Forever
6. I Am a Child of God

July 8, 2012

Opening Song: Families Can Be Together Forever (p188)
Closing Song: Stand for the Right (p159)


Wiggle Song: Two Little Eyes (p268) - we learned this song last week


Program Song: The Wise Man and the Foolish Man (p281)
Review Songs: Nephi's Courage (p120)
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Identify the doctrine: When we build our houses on rock, or when we build our lives on the rock of our Redeemer, no matter what storms or hard times may come, we will not be washed away or fall.


Help the children understand it:

1. Sing Wiggle Song

Listening and Singing Experiences:

Junior/Senior Primary

1. The Wise Man and the Foolish Man (p281)
• 1 minute - Attention getter: Last week we talked about building towers with blocks and about a wise man and a foolish man. The wise man chose to build his house on rock so it had a sure/solid foundation. What are ways that you can build your "house" (life) on "rock" (Christ)? (Read scriptures, attend church, visit with missionaries, pray, serve others, etc)
• 5 minutes - Sing the Wise Man/Foolish Man, determine any tricky spots. Practice singing using "how to sing" sticks or Sing-O-Meter. Invite kids to help you.
  Help them apply it in their lives/Testimony: What can we do to build upon the rock of our Redeemer? (go to church, read scriptures, pray, choose the right, be a good example, etc.) I promise each of you that if you do these things, when you have hard times/trials you will have the strength and bravery to get through them!
• 5 minutes - Review "Nephi's Courage" using story sticks and book. Review 1 verse at a time.
2. Fast finisher - Songs of the Heart 

Nursery (following singing time, go into Nursery and sing the following songs with them)

1. Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam
2. Give Said the Little Stream
3. I Feel My Savior's Love
4. I Love to See the Temple
5. Families Can Be Together Forever
6. I Am a Child of God

July 1, 2012

Opening Song: The Chapel Doors (p156)
Closing Song: I Feel My Savior's Love (p74)


Wiggle Song: Two Little Eyes (p268)


Program Song: The Wise Man and the Foolish Man (p281)
Review Songs: Nephi's Courage (p120)
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Identify the doctrine: When we build our houses on rock, or when we build our lives on the rock of our Redeemer, no matter what storms or hard times may come, we will not be washed away or fall.


Help the children understand it:

1. Teach new Wiggle Song. 5 minutes
• Sing song to kids using actions (point to each eye; point to each eye and blink 3x; point to each eye; touch: head, shoulders, knees and toes; body wiggle; sway; point to each eye; point to each eye and blink 3x; body wiggle)
• Have kids join in and sing 3 times.

Listening and Singing Experiences:

Junior/Senior Primary

1. The Wise Man and the Foolish Man (p281)
• 2 minutes - Attention getter: Lay blocks out on a table. Ask kids to raise their hands if they enjoy building towers with blocks. Where would it be best to build with blocks? On a table, on the carpet, or your bed? Why? (Listen for understanding of having a solid/firm/hard base, keeps blocks steady, the carpet/bed are too soft, easy for blocks to fall over, etc.)
• 5 minutes - Think about what we just talked about. In this scripture, the prophet Helaman is teaching his sons Nephi and Lehi. He tells them to build their foundation (think tower) on something, listen for what it is. (rock of our Redeemer) What do you think it means to build our foundation on the rock of our Redeemer, or Jesus Christ? (follow Him, center our lives around Him). I'm going to keep reading, Helaman promises his sons that if they do, "they cannot _____." (fall) We're going to sing a song today that teaches us the same lesson! The Wise Man and the Foolish Man! Why was the wise man wise? What did he do? Why was the foolish man foolish? What did he do?
  Help them apply it in their lives/Testimony: What can we do to build upon the rock of our Redeemer? (go to church, read scriptures, pray, choose the right, be a good example, etc.) I promise each of you that if you do these things, when you have hard times/trials that 
• 5 minutes - Practice singing the song - review actions, use instruments and other movement (keeping beat).
• 3 minutes - Review "Nephi's Courage".
2. Fast finisher - Songs of the Heart 

Nursery

1. Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam
2. Give Said the Little Stream
3. I Feel My Savior's Love
4. I Love to See the Temple
5. Families Can Be Together Forever
6. I Am a Child of God

June 24, 2012

Opening Song: As a Child of God (outline)
Closing Song: Choose the Right (Hymn 239)


Wiggle Song: I Wiggle (p271)


Program Song: Nephi's Courage (p120)
Review Songs: As a Child of God, Choose the Right
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Identify the doctrine: We can choose the right by following the example of Nephi in the Book of Mormon. He chose to the follow Jesus Christ even when his brothers made fun of him. When we choose the right, the Lord will provide a way for us to keep His commandments.


Help the children understand it:

1. Sing Wiggle Song. 1 minute
2. Listening and Singing Experiences:
   
   Junior/Senior Primary
   
   1. Nephi's Courage (p120)
   • 1 minute - Attention getter: I'm going to share with you one of my favorite Book of Mormon stories. Show kids the book-like flipchart.
   • 10 minutes - Sing Nephi's Courage, story style. Talk about each verse to ensure understanding.
   • 5 minutes - Practice singing the song, verse by verse using story sticks, "how to sing" sticks, etc.
   2. 2 minutes - Songs of the Heart 

Help them apply it in their lives/Testimony: Make connections with real life examples of what the Lord asks us to do (compared to Nephi getting the brass plates). I know that the scriptures are full righteous examples for us to follow. Nephi is one of those examples. He was willing to go and do what the Lord asked him to do. I promise you that if you will go and do, the Lord will always provide a way for you to do what He asks.

June 17, 2012

Opening Song: I Am a Child of God (p. 2)
Closing Song: I Love to See the Temple (p. 95)

Wiggle Song: Stand Up (p278)
Program Song: Nephi's Courage (p120)
Review Songs: As a Child of God (2012 Outline), Stand for the Right (p159), Choose the Right (Hymns 239), I Feel My Savior's Love (p74), When I Am Baptized (p103), 4th Article of Faith (p124), the Wise Man and the Foolish Man (p281), Faith (p96)
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Identify the doctrine: Review songs!

Help the children understand it:

1. 1 minute: Sing Wiggle Song, twice through
2. 18 minutes: Listening and Singing Experiences
1. 3 minutes: Attention getter: Ya'll did a fantastic job today! You sang beautifully, and I know all the fathers loved your song. I brought something with me today to help us celebrate Father's Day. A laundry basket! Now this isn't just ANY laundry basket. It is full of clothes you might see your dads wear! Shirts, ties, shoes, pants, and more! I am going to look for reverent singers to come choose an item out of my basket. There is a number somewhere on it - it is the number to a song we are going to sing. You may then choose to wear the item, or choose someone else who wants to wear the item to wear it for the rest of singing time. Now, even when you are wearing dad clothes, you must still be reverent singers; if you are distracted by the clothes, you will have to take them off.
2. 15 minutes: Sing the corresponding songs as the children choose articles of clothing from the basket. Use flipcharts and posters as necessary.
1. As a Child of God - 2012 outline
2. Choose the Right - Hymn 239
3. Stand for the Right - p.159
4. I Feel My Savior's Love - p. 74
5. When I Am Baptized - p. 103
6. Nephi's Courage - p. 120-121
7. Families Can Be Together Forever - p. 188
8. The 4th Article of Faith - p. 124
9. Faith - p. 96
10. The Wise Man and the Foolish Man - p. 281
3. Fast Finisher: Songs of the Heart 

June 10, 2012

Opening Song: Stand for the Right (p159) - use flipchart
Closing Song: Fourth Article of Faith (p124) - use poster

Wiggle Song: Stand Up (p278)
Program Song: none
Review Songs: Stand for the Right, Fourth Article of Faith
Father's Day Song: Fathers (p209)
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Identify the doctrine: We have many fathers in our lives, we're going to focus on three of them: the father of our home, the father of our ward (the Bishop), and the Father of us all (Heavenly Father). Our dads teach us how to choose the right so we can return to live with Heavenly Father. Our bishop is always there to listen to us and to help us. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to show us how to return to live with Him.

Help the children understand it:

1. 1 minute: Sing Wiggle Song, twice through
2. 18 minutes: Listening and Singing Experiences
1. 1 minute: Attention getter: "What happens next Sunday?! NEXT Sunday is Father's Day! We'll need all your voices to sing our Father's Day song during Sacrament Meeting."
2. 5 minutes: Teach the chorus (using poster), one phrase at a time (sing to them, then have them sing with me). The Junior Primary does not know it, the Senior Primary does.
3. 5 minutes: Sing verse 1 with the chorus. Review any trouble spots. Repeat for all 3 verses. (use poster)
4. 5 minutes: Practice singing all 3 verses using the poster and "how to sing" sticks (3 times through). Invite great singers (those singing and sitting reverently) to hold up the sticks, give them 2 to switch between during the song.
5. 2 minutes: Practice "Performance Mode" (stand all, arms at sides, holding still, eyes on me, sing loud but reverently). Invite one of the teachers to use the "Sing-O-Meter".
6. Fast Finisher: Songs of the Heart