4 Stake Workshop “In Tune”

Primary Chorister Training 2011Presented by Kayrena Betts

Kayrena Betts

• Green River Ward, Auburn Stake• Grew up in White Mountains of Arizona• Attended Ricks College and ASU• Lived in Washington State for the past 7 years• Married for 12 years• 2 girls ages 6 and 2 years• Spent most of my time serving in the Relief Society but have

recently spent my years in the primary.• I love love love music, I was trained classically on the piano

and also know how to play the flute and was a member of many a capella and show choirs in high school and college

Song of the RighteousIn a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord said, “My soul delighteth in

the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads” (D&C 25:12).

The First Presidency said:“Inspirational music is an essential part of our church meetings. The hymns invite

the Spirit of the Lord, create a feeling of reverence, unify us as members, and provide a way for us to offer praises to the Lord.

“Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end” (Hymns, ix).

Primary Calling Official Description• Under the direction of the Primary presidency, Primary music leaders and pianists have

the following responsibilities:• They plan, teach, and direct the music for sharing time, including songs that will be part

of the children’s sacrament meeting presentation.• They help with music for the nursery class and other Primary classes as requested.• They may organize and direct a children’s choir as requested.• Members of the Primary presidency help the ward Primary music leaders and pianists

understand how music contributes to Primary. The melodies, words, and messages of Primary songs can teach children the doctrines of the gospel and stay in their hearts throughout their lives.

• Music in Primary should invite reverence, teach the gospel, and help children feel the influence of the Holy Ghost and the joy that comes through singing. While the children sing some songs, music leaders give them opportunities to move physically and stretch appropriately.

• The Children’s Songbook and the current sharing time outline are the basic resources for music in Primary. Hymns from the hymnbook and songs from the Friend and Liahona are also appropriate. Occasionally children may sing patriotic or holiday songs that are suitable for Sunday and for the children’s ages. The use of any other music in Primary must be approved by the bishopric.

“The purpose of music in Primary is to teach the children the gospel of Jesus Christ and

help them learn to live it. Primary songs make learning more enjoyable, help children learn and remember gospel

truths, and invite the Spirit into Primary.”

-from Sacrament Program Outlines 2010 & 2011

Music in Primary should invite reverence, teach

the gospel, and help children feel the influence of the Holy Ghost and the joy that comes through

singing. While the children sing some songs, music

leaders give them opportunities to move physically and stretch

appropriately.-church Handbook

Additional Calling Descriptions“The purpose of music in Primary is to teach the children the gospel of Jesus

Christ and help them learn to live it. Primary songs make learning more enjoyable, help children learn and remember gospel truths, and invite the Spirit into Primary.” – from Sacrament Program Outlines 2010 & 2011

Question: Can supplemental books and pictures from bookstores and the Internet be used in Primary?

Answer from lds.org “Counsel with your priesthood leader.”I make sure to always seek counsel from my Primary president and then she

counsels with the Bishop before using any materials that may need approvalI recognize that each stake has different goals and each ward has different styles

of doing the same thing. I know that not all things presented in this workshop will work for everyone. Please be obedient to your leaders and seek to always follow the counsel and guidelines you have been given. Obedience is always the best option.

Helping Children Develop Appropriate Behavior

• Children respond to a positive and smiling leader or teacher. A positive leader creates a learning environment where each child feels loved and accepted and where the Spirit of the Lord can be felt.

• Teach correct social behavior by instruction and by example.

• Establish a few simple rules, and help every child understand what is expected.

• Be realistic in your expectations. Be consistent, patient, loving, and firm.

• Always seek to build self-worth when responding to a child.

• Provide a great deal of recognition and praise for good behavior, and avoid pointing out the negative. A good rule is to give at least six positive statements to a child for every negative statement.

• Reinforce good behavior or responses by using positive comments such as "Great," "Wonderful idea," "Good response," or "I appreciate your attention."

• Plan for a short attention span by providing activities and involvement and by being flexible and sensitive to the child’s needs. Keep it simple.

• Reinforce appropriate behavior by allowing the child to help mark the roll, gather or dispense materials, hold a picture, and so on.

• Encourage the child’s peers to ignore inappropriate behavior and compliment the child when he or she does contribute in a positive way.

Teaching Children With Disabilities

• When the child’s behavior is highly disruptive or unacceptable, move him or her to a "quiet room," or a small vacant room in the church. A member of the presidency or another leader will need to stay with the child. Do not reinforce the child’s behavior with excessive eye contact, smiling, conversation, or discussion of the problem; it is a quiet time. When the child is in control again, bring him or her back into the group.

• As the child returns, let him or her know that he or she is loved, accepted, and an important part of Primary.

• If this plan does not seem to be effective, please reread the information in this section to be certain the procedures are being followed correctly.

• Find out if the child’s family is using a successful behavior reinforcement plan, and if appropriate, use similar methods.

• Never give up on a child who is having problems. Even if it seems like the child is not getting anything out of Primary, he or she is having the opportunity to be with loving teachers, leaders, and friends; to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ; and to be touched by the Spirit.

"What power, what tenderness, what compassion

did our Master . . . demonstrate! We,

too, can bless if we will but follow His noble example.

Opportunities are everywhere. Needed are eyes to see . . . and ears to hear the silent pleadings. . . . Yes, and a

soul filled with compassion, that we might communicate

not only eye to eye or voice to ear but, in the majestic style of the Savior, heart to heart" (Thomas S. Monson, Ensign,

Nov. 1993, 71).

Teaching Children With Disabilities

In particularly challenging situations, praising good behavior and ignoring inappropriate behavior may not be sufficient for dealing with a child who has severe acting-out problems associated with a disability. The following suggestions may be helpful in managing difficult behaviors and ensuring that the learning experiences of other children in Primary are not disrupted:

• Pray to seek the guidance of the Spirit. • Arrange some time to talk privately with the child about his or her

behavior and what is expected of him or her in Primary. Help the child understand the rules and the plan you will use if inappropriate behavior occurs again. You may want to counsel with the child’s parents about the plan.

• If the child becomes disruptive in Primary, speak in a calm, pleasant voice. Anger, sarcasm, threats, punishment, and critical remarks are not helpful.

• Make a "please" request, such as, "John, please sit down"; praise the child if he or she complies. If the child does not comply, make a "you need to" request, such as, "John, you need to sit down"; praise the child if he or she obeys. If the child still does not comply, use whatever procedure has been agreed upon in your rules.

• Be consistent and always follow through on rules. Be firm, immediate, and kind.

• Recognize and praise the child’s efforts to improve. • When the child is disruptive, a chair may be moved to the side of the

room away from other children; the child may then be told that he or she must sit there and watch the other children for a short period of time, such as two minutes. During this time, do not interact with the child but continue to praise the children who are behaving appropriately. The child should be invited back into the group if he or she has been quiet for the assigned time. Immediately praise the child’s appropriate behavior.

The Savior taught, “All thy children shall be taught of the

Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children” (3 Nephi 22:13).

Elder M. Russell Ballard taught, “Clearly, those of us who have been entrusted with precious children have been given a sacred, noble stewardship, for weare the ones God has appointed to encircle today’s children with love and the fire of faith and an understanding of who they are” (“Great Shall Be the Peace of Thy Children,” Ensign, Apr. 1994, 60).

Keeping a List of Songs Kids Should Know for Yourself and Your Substitutes

2008• I Am A Child of God• Tell Me the Stories of Jesus• If the Savior Stood Beside Me• We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet• Home• I Love to See the Temple• Called to Serve• When Jesus Christ was Baptized

2009• I Lived in Heaven• How Firm a Foundation• My Eternal Family• Baptism• Seek the Lord Early• Families Can Be Together Forever

2010• He Sent His Son• Come Follow Me• Follow the Prophet• The Holy Ghost• I Know My Savior Loves Me• Heavenly Father Loves Me

2011• If I Listen With My Heart• I Will Follow God’s Plan• Stand for the Right• I Love to See the Temple• Praise to the Man• The Lord Gave Me a Temple• Scripture Power

Specific Disability Helps

• On lds.org you can find additional helps for specific disabilities such as:

• Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Autism• Behavior Disorders• Deaf and Blind• Intellectual Impairment• Language and Speech Disorders• Learning Disabilities• Mobility and Movement Impairments

Attention Getters and Calming TacticsLet’s face it, getting the kids to pay attention, control their chatter and participate is often the biggest part of our job. This can be frustrating stressful, and sometimes overwhelming, especially if your primary group is huge like mine. Chatty, wiggly kids can be the result of sugar from those “keep them reverent” sacrament snacks, excitement (holidays, school year,

etc), hunger (think every possible church block), boredom (don't blame yourself), personality or just the need to test your boundaries. Here are some ideas that have worked for me in my primary, some are my own and some are borrowed.

Jr. Primary• “If you can hear me” (now add in a progressively

softer voice any of the following:) “touch your eyes, zip your lips, touch your elbows, say Jesus, etc)

• Rhythm clap• Bubbles in mouth• 1,2,3 eyes on me• Yoga Breathing (blow up like a balloon and fold

into a box)• “Open them, shut them, open them, shut them,

Give a little clap.”(Now your voice gets progressively softer till you are whispering)“Open them, shut them, open them, shut them,Fold them in your lap…”

Sr. Primary• Quiet Coyote (hold it up and wait, it usually doesn’t

take too long)• Turn around and say – “who will be the last to

notice me” (whoever is last to notice say, “welcome back to primary Ryan” or whatever their name is)

• More complicated Rhythm claps• Simply standing near the “chatters” will stop them

usually.• Touch your nose, touch your chin, That's the way

this game begins. Touch your eyes, touch your knees, Now both hands we all will squeeze. Touch your hair, touch one ear, Touch your two red lips right here. Touch your elbows where they bend, That's the way this touch game ends. (If they touch both elbows, they will end with their arms folded.)

Opening/Reverent Song Ideas

• Utilize the previous month’s theme song as your reverent song.

• Make a poster board with each Article of Faith and sing one each month. Repetition is a great way to learn.

• Sing an unknown classic reverent song every single Sunday in the month and by the end of the month most kids will start to pick up on it. Use a flipchart or pictures. Some songs I use are “Chapel Doors,” “Reverently, Quietly,” and “To Think About Jesus.” I tell them to go home and practice the song because I really want to see who knows it next week.

Welcome Song IdeasJr. Primary

• Hello Song (pg.260) – Write Hello in several languages on popsicle sticks. Have visiting child choose a “language stick” and sing song using that version of “hello”– Hawaiian – Aloha– German – Guten tag– Swahili – Jambo– Swedish – Hejsan (HEY-sun)– Japanese – Konnichiwa– Hindi – Namaste– Hebrew – Shalom– Chinese – Nei Hao (Knee How)– English – Hello– Italian – Ciao (Chow)– Spanish – Hola– French – Bonjour– Russian – Privet (preev-YET)

• “Here We Are Together” (pg. 261) – This one is great because they learn the visitors

names, include non visitors from the same class and then the visitor will learn new names as well.

Sr. Primary

• “Hello Song” (pg 260) – split the room in half and sing using two languages, switch halfway through the song.

• “Come With Me to Primary” (pg 255) – sing as a round, have a volunteer lead one of the groups

• “Our Primary Colors” (pg 258) Have people wearing red, yellow, and blue stand up when you sing their color.

• “Here We Are Together” (pg 261)

Birthday Song Ideas

• Something fun I like to do when singing “Your Happy Birthday” it’s the one that says"zippidy a and heidi ho), I insert the birthday kids' name in a silly fashion. So if the kids' name was James Brown we'd say "James-idy a and Brown-ee-YO" and on the YO I do a really dorkified like gangsta hand motion . . .and if there are two kids we sing one kids first name in the first slot and the other in the second. It always turns out really silly and the kids think it's hilarious.

• Sr. Primary really likes to sing “You’ve Had a Birthday” because it’s a round!

• Do the hand jive to “You’ve Had a Birthday” (pat knees twice, clap hands twice, swish hands on top twice, swish hand underneath twice, point over right shoulder, point over left shoulder, repeat)

So I'm always trying out new ideas to make our birthday kids feel extra special and

maybe a little silly too when we sing to them. I invested in an awesome party hat, some Mardi Gras sparkly glasses, birthday candle glasses and

some Happy Birthday tiaras at the dollar store and I let the

birthday kids sport whichever they want while we sing to them. They love it and very

rarely does anyone turn down the opportunity to wear

them, when they do I just volunteer to wear them for

them!!

Special Birthdays

• Eight Year Olds (or any newly baptized child)– We always sing “I

Belong to the Church of Jesus Christ” for eight year olds and others that have chosen to be baptized. We sing it with exuberance.

• 12 year olds and children moving away

– We sing “Your Happy Birthday”, but we sing it like so:

"This month is such a special one it's goodbye time for you.We'd really like to celebrate this happy day with youJohn-ee-ay and Jenny-yo (substitute names or first and last name if 1 child)There's something we must doWe'll sing a song that we all knowGoodbye to you!"

We wave every time we say goodbye. I also utilize these children throughout singing time more than others because they are leaving.

Favorite Wiggle SongsI covered a soup can in paper and colored it to look like a worm garden. I cut out several pieces of

paper to resemble worms, glued on googly eyes and wrote each of these wiggle songs including their page number. This Wiggle Worm Can comes in super handy on really wiggly days or when the

particular song we are learning is difficult and we need a little break!

• Do As I’m Doing (p. 276)• Fun to Do (p. 253)• Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes (p.

275)• Hinges (p. 277)• I Wiggle (p. 271)• If You’re Happy (p. 266)• My Hands (p. 273)• Oh, How We Love to Stand (p. 279)• Once There Was a Snowman (p. 249)• Stand Up (p. 278)• Birds in the Tree (p. 241)• Book of Mormon Stories (p. 118)

• Daddy’s Homecoming (p. 210)• Follow the Prophet (p. 110)• “Give” Said the Little Stream (p. 236)• I Am Like a Star (p. 163)• I Have Two Little Hands (p. 272)• I Hope They Call Me on a Mission (p.

169)• In the Leafy Treetops (p. 240)• Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam (p. 60)• Popcorn Popping (p. 242)• Smiles (p. 267)• The Wise Man and the Foolish Man

(p. 281)• Two Little Eyes (p. 268)

Do As I’m Doing Ideas

• THE CHICKEN DANCE (Favorite)

• Disco Dancing• Orchestra Conductor• Kung Fu Master• Race Car Driver• Racehorse• Rock Star• Rub Head, Pat Stomach• Swimming• Baseball• Football Throw

• Flex Your Muscles• Granny Dance• Wave Like a Queen• Twiddle Your Thumbs• Paddle a Boat• Tip Toe• Russian Dance• Tap Dance• Speed bag Punching• Tightrope• Skiing• Jump Rope

Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes Ideas

Sr. Primary• Use popsicle sticks or whatever works

for you and write each body part for the song. (Head, shoulders, knees, toes, eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.) Pass them out randomly and have them come stand in a line up front and put the popsicle stick on the body part it represents. We then attempt to sing it in that order!

• For ever further advance line them up in correct order up front and choose something that goes on that body part, i.e., “head=hat,” “shoulders=coat”, etc. Then sing the items, they love it.

Jr. Primary• Sing it slow, then fast, then

super slow, then super fast• Sing it backwards• Sing it in different styles like

opera, cowboy, staccato, etc.

Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam

• To avoid that loud yelling of “sunbeam” on this song, have them avoid singing the word “beam” and instead jump up out of their seat each time. Remind them we are in Heavenly Father’s house and still must be reverent. If a child cannot contain themselves appropriately just tap them on the head and they have to sit out that song.

• Have the older kids face the sunbeams and have them sing it to each other. Tell the older kids the sunbeams are really super good at this song and want to teach them it. They will play along usually.

Sr. Primary’s Favorite Wiggle Activity

Use any song with repeating words. My favorites are “Popcorn Popping,” “Follow the Prophet,” and “Give Said the Little Stream.” On the repeating word have the kids move over one chair each time. You can do it in a snakelike fashion using the whole room or you can have them move left then right then left then right. It’s great to see them try to avoid someone end up in their lap. I always allow people to come up and stand by me if they do not want to participate as some of the older girls are too “dignified” for this rowdy game!

This is something you have to really prep them for and help them remember

where we are at, but done properly it is so much fun and a great wiggle activity for the

older ones

Ways to Sing a Song• Quiet as a Mouse• Ready, Set, FREEZE• Spin around in circles• Hide and Seek• Sing Like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir• Play the Drums• Swing your leg like a soccer player• Go Swimming• Pedal a Bike• Hula• Sing Backwards• Hold your tongue• Clap• OOOOO like a ghost• Hum• A capella• Plug Your Nose• Stop/Go• Boys/Girls• Stomp to the rhythm

• One big breath• Open mouth• Eyes Wide Open• Stand on Chair• Lights Out• Oink Like a pig• Colors• Sticky Arms and legs• Eyes Shut• Kids only• Every other word• Buzz Like a Bee• Teachers Only• Whistle• Shiver• Stand on one foot• Jump Up and Down• Hand Jive

Music in the Nursery• Keep it nearly the same (same

order, same actions, same songs) every single Sunday, these little ones thrive on repetition.

• Bear your testimony and sing the month’s theme song complete with flipchart pictures every Sunday, they are part of Primary too.

• Start with everyone in a circle sitting and do all the hand action songs then do the standing songs last. Always finish with “Little Seeds” it is an amazing ending number and calms them back down after all the singing and wiggling fun!

• Props that work– Prophet Sticks– Sunbeams on a stick– Finger puppets– Bells– Hand clappers– Pictures of Prophets

Songs That Work Well In Nursery

Sitting/Hand Action Songs• Book of Mormon Stories - #118 • Daddy’s Homecoming - #210• Mother Dear- #206• Grandpa • A Happy Family #198• Birds in the Tree - #241• Give Said the Little Stream - #236 (use finger

puppets and have them mimic your actions)• Hello Song - #260• Hello Friends - #254• I am Like a Star - #163• Popcorn Popping - #242• Jesus Said Love Everyone - #61• Rain is Falling All Around - #241• Smiles - #267• The Chapel Doors - #256

Stand Up/Wiggle Songs• The Wise Man & the Foolish Man• Follow the Prophet (chorus)-#110• I am a Child of God - #2 (hold hands and

circle)• Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes - #275• Stand Up - #278• Do As I’m Doing - #276• Fun to Do - #153• Hinges - #277• Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam - #60• Little Seeds Lie Fast Asleep - #243• My Hands - #273• O How We Love to Stand - #279• Once There Was a Snowman - #249

Teaching a Song Using the Weekly Theme

• This year when teaching “The Lord Gave Me a Temple” the theme of the week was about dressing modestly and acting modestly. I printed out pictures of clothing choices from a popular children’s clothing store. I put them on the walls around the primary and we went on shopping trips! As each child chose clothing items there was a scripture on modesty or a phrase from the For Strength of Youth Booklet about modesty. We talked about the items and compared their modesty to the standards set. The girls were so creative with modification to make tank tops modest and were brave in realizing they couldn’t wear all the “in style” clothing and be modest. The boys learned how sayings on their shirt that may be funny may not be the best representation of a disciple of Christ and ripped up jeans are not particularly modest. We sang the song after each shopping trip and mixed in some fun songs to break things up. This worked really well and was so easy.

Every week in the Primary Sacrament Program there is a theme presented and specific ideas of what is to be taught. These are generally the theme of the Sharing Time portion of primary but if you coordinate well these are amazing jumping off points for your singing time ideas!

Teaching a Song using the Visual Learning Style

• Use flipcharts; several appropriate ones can be found on the internet, you can also make your own with gospel art and key words or phrases. If you don’t have access to gospel art pictures draw your own! My kids get a real kick out of my homemade drawings.

• Use Singing Motivators on popsicle Sticks. Have a Loud Lion and a Soft Mouse, a Stop Sign and a Go Sign, a Hum or Buzz Sign, etc. This makes them pay attention to where they are in the song while singing and what is upcoming. If you can’t use those signs use church pictures that represent those items such as a picture of a chapel to tell them to sing quietly, etc. . .

• Put key pictures and words on poster board and add them as you learn them. Make a game of taking a few pictures and words off the board and have them see how well they can sing it. Sometimes we spin a spinner or roll a dice to see how many words/pictures to remove. Another way is to have one side of the room sing the words still on the board and the other side sing the missing ones.

• Make a rebus storyboard. Like stories for beginning readers these picture stories are easily understood and “read” by most ages.

• Have a picture that represent each phrase of the song, have children hold the picture and stand up front or in front of their chairs when the phrase is sang. Hand out pictures and have them work together to put them in correct song order.

Kids learn best when we use all their learning styles

simultaneously. Kinesthetic learners need movement

and touch to learn, auditory learners need to hear the

song and your voice, visual learners need pictures and visual cues. Mix all three together and you have a

definite winner! Letting the kids peer teach is also really

effective. Here are some ideas for visual learning.

Teaching a Song using the Auditory Learning Style

• Copy cat or parrot singing is a fabulous method for teaching a song. You sing a phrase then the children sing a phrase. It is much easier for children to copy the notes sung by a human voice than notes played on a piano.

• Another way to teach by singing is to hand out a phrase or a picture that represents a phrase to a row, class or group and then give them and their teacher a few minutes to really get the words down. Get their attention back and then have them stand up and sing their phrase when it’s their turn. Remind them that they better pay attention to the other groups because you’re going to mix them up in a minute.

• Sometimes I have the boys sing the verse and girls sing the chorus and then switch it up.

• Sing a song a million different styles. Sing soft like a mouse, in a whisper, with your nose plugged, like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with a western twang. Sing it staccato, legato, largo and presto. Kids love learning the actual music terms associated with these styles. Have fun with it and of course always remind them we are in Heavenly Father’s house and must be reverent. If they cannot be reverent they lose the privilege of participating that round of singing. I hardly ever have problems getting kids to be appropriate because they understand the boundaries.

Sing more, talk less. During singing time, SING.. SING a lot. Sing standing up, sing sitting down. Have the children stand and face the back door to sing to their parents down the hall in Gospel Doctrine, have them sing to each other and try not to giggle, have them sing the pianist.

As a director, don’t be afraid to sing in front of the children. Remember primary is not about being perfect singers, it’s about sharing our testimonies through music. I’m pretty sure most kids won’t know if you’re on key or not. . .just do your best and the Lord will make up the rest. Smile and sing and laugh when you make mistakes.

Teaching a song using Kinesthetic Learning Styles

• My favorite thing is using actions. On LDS.org you can find videos to learn the sign language to many primary songs. Both Jr. and Sr. primaries can effectively learn basic sign language and these actions can be used in the chapel for the primary program. You can leave out some of the signs and just do the signs for the major words if the kids (or you!) are having a hard time

• Make up actions that fit the song such as using a hand cupped to the ear for “listen” and drawing a heart on your chest for “heart” in the song “If I Listen With My Heart.”

• For Sr. Primary a really great and effective teaching tool is to hand out a phrase of the song and then give them 5-7 minutes to work with their teacher to come up with actions that represent that phrase. Then they come up one group at a time and teach the rest of the primary their actions and words to their phrase. It works amazingly.

• Any of the singing style cards provided in this handout help kinesthetic learners learn easier. March while singing “Praise to the Man” sway back and forth while singing “I am a Child of God,” and jump up and down to “Give Said the Little Stream.”

• Use rhythm sticks or two finger claps to clap rhythms and beats.

• Teach the kids how to lead the song and have them all lead with you.

Kinesthetic learners require motions, touch and movement to learn effectively. There are several ways to reverently utilize movement to help these children. Most of these children are the ones that wiggle and squirm every week. When we help them stay involved by teaching them through movement their wiggles will become their greatest assets.

How to Teach a Song• During Singing Time, rehearse more

than one song. Learn a couple phrases of the new song and then sing some of their all time favorites as a reward.

• Set clear expectations and praise the children when they are meeting those expectations. If you say “good job” every time the kids sing any song, any way they choose, they’ll tune you out. The kids will either think you don’t care or you’re just plain clueless and didn’t realize that they really sounded horrible on that last verse. Set the standard by teaching them to sing with gusto but without shouting, I call it “never louder than lovely!”. Teach them to stand still with their hands to their sides. Teach them to watch the director. Teach them to memorize the words. Teach them these things then expect them to follow you as the director. When they meet your expectations really praise them, with lots of enthusiasm, to reinforce their fabulous singing and behavior. ”Primary Choir, give yourselves a pat on the back…that was fantastic…you followed my directions exactly…you sang like angels.” They’ll know you really mean it.

How to pick your helpers!• My primary presidency has two

cans full of popsicle sticks. One for Jr. Primary and one for Sr. Primary. Each child’s name is on them and there are extra sticks with “visitor” on them. There is a green end and a red end. I simply pull a green popsicle stick and see if that child is being reverent, when singing time is done I put all the used popsicle sticks back in the cans with the red side up! It’s fair, no one complains and everyone gets a turn eventually.

When you need to use child helpers, let the children know you’ll be choosing someone who is sitting up straight and tall, someone who is watching the director, someone who is singing, etc. This reinforces appropriate singing time behavior.

Remember that “reverent” does not mean sitting completely still and quiet, it’s about the feelings felt and about the individual child. Be aware of each child’s progression into learning reverence and reward them by positive reinforcement. I am never bothered by little wiggles!

Review IdeasFor specific instructions and ideas for these review games go to www.primarysingingintherain.blogspot.com

• Jeopardy• Singing Bee• Doing Laundry• Primary Playground• Primary Land • Memory Match• Missing Words• Unwrap the True

Meaning of Christmas

• Mr. Potato Head• Sing the Jack O Lantern• Musical Measles• Scripture and a Song• Back to School• Dig In• Hot and Cold• Life Size Tic Tac Toe• Pictionary

Using Instruments in Primary

5th Sunday Music Share• This year with approval from my Primary Presidency and the Bishop I

started what we call “5th Sunday Music Share” in Sr. Primary. All kids are given a chance to share their musical talents on the 5th Sunday of any month as long as they use the Children’s Songbook or the Hymnbook. This has turned out to be one of the most spiritual experiences we have ever had in primary, it’s literally my favorite Sunday. I remind the kids that we need to be respectful to each performer and sit quietly and listen and when they are finished we “golf clap” and “silent cheer” to show how much we love it. It’s been really fun to see what they come up with, thus far we’ve had clarinet duets, a saxophone solo, piano duet with a Dad and daughter, an older girl accompanied her friend on the piano, and upcoming this month we will have a Bass solo, recorder duet, and hopefully a trumpet duet! I love seeing the kids recognize the worth of their musical talents in sharing the gospel.

Mix Up Your Program with Instruments and Groups• Be creative when planning the music for the Sacrament Meeting

Program. Get small groups or soloists to sing the 2nd or 3rd verse of a song. Have a child play an obbligato part on a flute or violin. Have a group of children sing harmony for one of the songs, perhaps the chorus of a song.

Using Instruments During Singing Time• Hand bells work really well during singing time. Write out the words to

the song and color code the words to match where to play the bells. Have a teacher or other adult volunteer to help the kids stay on track while you lead the primary in singing. We did this during “Christmas Bells are Ringing” last year and it worked amazingly, the kids loved it and they sang the song over and over again without complaints knowing they were going to get to play the bells!

According to the LDS Church Handbook 2: Administering in

the Church, “Organs and pianos, or their electronic

equivalents, are the standard instruments used in Church

meetings. If other instruments are used, their use should be in keeping with the spirit of

the meeting. Instruments with a prominent or less worshipful sound, such as most brass and

percussion, are not appropriate for sacrament

meeting.”

Resources

– The following Subjects are covered - • Handbook 2: Administering the Church

Booklet• Teaching No Greater Call Book• Worldwide Leadership Training Book• 2011 & 2012 Primary Sharing Time

Outline• Children’s Songbook• Downloadable Songs from Primary

Programs• Music From the Friend and Other’s

Children’s Music• Music from 2006-2010 Primary Programs• Frequently Asked Questions• Primary Training Videos• Teaching All Children, Especially Those

With Disabilities

LDS.ORG Official Resources can be found at the following linkhttp://lds.org/service/serving-in-the-church/primary/leader-resources?lang=eng#music

Organizing Your Stuff

File Box• I have a file box alphabetized by

song name. I include all the pictures and lesson plans for that particular song so it’s easy to grab and go when we’re reviewing.

• I also include a file of songs we know including page numbers.

• I have folders with review ideas alphabetized in the back, i.e., “doing laundry review” or “Service Scarecrow Review”

Weekly Box• Files of Songs we will be singing• Container with necessities like tape, chalk,

scissors, string, board clips, etc.• Birthday and Silly Song Props• Wiggle Worm Can• “How to Sing a Song” and “Fun to Do”

cards• Motivator props (Loud Lion, Soft Mouse,

etc.)• Nursery container with all their props• Binder full of flipcharts for this year• Any items needed for that particular

Sunday• I can carry this box and a foam board or

poster board pretty easily each Sunday!

My Favorite Resources• I have created a blog to share my ideas and get ideas from others who hold

this calling. My ideas have been approved by my particular Primary Presidency and Bishop, but I realize that all the ideas I have used may not be approved for use in your own wards. Hopefully this can be a tool that will help inspire new ideas that you can tweak to fit the guidelines of your particular ward. On the right side are links to other primary chorister blogs that may give you additional ideas. These are not official church websites but have so many useful ideas from faithful and diligent choristers. Once again I urge you to always follow the counsel of your leaders and make sure to get everything approved that you may feel uncertain about. Most of all have fun.

• http://primarysingingintherain.blogspot.com/

Used with permission from Mary Ann Clements at www.sugardoodle.net

Used with permission fromhttp://divinesecretsofaprimarychorister.blogspot.com/2008/11/do-as-im-doing-276.html

Designed by and used w

ith permission from

Britt

ney at htt

p://afprimarysingingtim

e.blogspot.com/

I Came

2 Earth

With power

CHOOSE

Good Choices

Bless me & my Family

As a

I

receive

The Holy

Ghost helps me

kNOw

What is

right

So safe

Such Feelings of Peace

Comes from family

Love

As a Child

Of God

I receive

Special light

The Holy Ghost

helps me

To Know what is right

In my own home

I’ll happily serve

I’ll strengthen my family

by my good works

As a Child

Of God

I receive

Special light

The Holy Ghost

helps me

To Know what is right

Used with permission from Kayrena at www.primarysingingintherain.blogspot.com