March in Parades (something patriotic)

I was having this conversation with the primary secretary in my ward who was remembering when she was in primary long ago, she is 20 years older than me and so primary was run a tad differently for her than it was for me. When she attended primary is was held midweek and said they often had instruments and marched around the room while they sang songs...doing things we tend not to do on Sundays these days.  But it just got me thinking.  Very few of us get to march in parades anymore...as the song, OH WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE SUMMERTIME, suggests?  And parade season is about here (4th of July).

Target $1-Spot has a bunch of cool hats and patriotic accessories this year. I was looking for this stuff last year and had to fudge it a little because I couldn't find what I wanted for cheap.  But Target came to the rescue this year.  So I bought a few things and added to what I found last year. 

And so...we are going to march in a parade this year.  I think I will call up helpers to select from choices of accessories I have accumulated.  Once every item is picked, I will have the rest of the primary stand.  We will sing a patriotic song, there are a few in the primary book, but I think the more well known songs are in the hymn book.  And those with accessories will actually march the perimeter of the room (making a full circle) while the rest of us march in place.  We will get several different groups up to put on the accessories and sing a few of the great patriotic songs while doing this mini parade march. 

In my vast collecting of music (thanks mom, Kirstin, and the Internet), I have the sheet music to a few fun things that are not in the primary book...like God Bless America, This Land is You Land, As the Caissons Go Rolling Along, You're A Grand Old Flag, ect.  So I may be using those as well. 

I do think the song, THIS IS MY COUNTRY, in the primary children's song book is quite cute and has a good rhythm to it.  It's one worth teaching the kids!  It short and easily learned.  We will definitely be using that one.

Here's to marching in parades!

Patriotic Puzzle

So this is a puzzle I made with 7 large pieces that I will stick around the room.  The kids will pull the pieces and try to put them together.  On each piece is a song or a question or BOTH.

1)  What do you do in the summer time for fun.  Sing OH WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE SUMMER TIME?
2)  What Article Of Faith talks about our freedom to worship "how, where, and what they may?"  SING IT.  #11
3) You put your right hand over your WHAT when you say the Pledge Of Allegiance?  NO SONG
4)  The 4th of J uly is whose birthday?  AMERICA's birthday-  Sing America The Beautiful
5) What Article Of Faith talks about honoring and sustaining the law?  Sing Hint:  It's a double digit one...#12
6)  What are the 3 colors in our American Flag?  Red, White, & Blue  NO SONG
7)  What is your favorite thing about living in America?  SING MY COUNTRY

My Country's Flag

I love the 4th of July...probably my favorite holiday.  I am weird for sure!  But there is something about flags and the patriotic songs (BBQ's, fireworks, picnics, little kids with sun tanned faces) that just makes me smile.

I couldn't pass up a chance to do something patriotic with the primary children. I made each child a flag on a skewer stick.  Yes, it was insanely tedious.  If I was made of money, I would have bought them a flag but when you have 50+ kids, that adds up.  So I made them.  I plan to hand them out to each child, so they can wave them as we sing our songs.

The hats: This is similar to St. Patrick's day. I found some goofy hats, made a wreath out of a festive wire garland and found a necklace (thanks $1-Tree).  I will have the kids pick a hat, wreath or necklace and they can pick which adult in the primary will wear it.  They think this is so hilarious, to make the leaders look SILLY!    Each accessory has a song.  I am doing something a tad unorthodox but that is my mode.

I am doing patriotic songs:
THIS IS MY COUNTRY (primary song book)
Grand Old Flag
This Land Is Your Land
God Bless America
America The Beautiful

I am incorporating some other songs not found the song book as the selection is slim and their knowledge of those songs is even slimmer.  I am lucky to have a pianist who just goes with my crazy flow and does what I ask...!

Happy 4th of July!