Sing It Backwards

My senior kids love to be challenged.  I was scouring the primary song book for a song that you can truly sing backwards.  And well, DO AS I AM DOING works.  I did this with them on Sunday and they thought it was hilarious and they usually think wiggle songs are lame. 

I did write the lyrics on a poster for them because it's hard to think in your head how to sing this.

Me follow, follow, doing I'm as do....

Are you "Board "

http://afprimarysingingtime.blogspot.com/2010/09/fun-ways-to-sing.html

While engaged in my infinite blog stalking hobby, I have come across another Brittany (Brittney)...who does just neat things.    I use a lot of her ideas as she is gifted with the computer and makes fun and CUTE props.  She had this post on cards she makes that suggest different ways to sing a song.  I have already made something similar but suffice it say, hers are way cuter graphically.  They are all in these square shapes, which  make them uniform and easy to cut out.  See link above if you aren't already addicted to this lady's blog!

Anyway, I had this thought of using all the squares on a board instead of having them as cards to pick.  So I printed them and put them on a poster board.  Then I got out a bean bag.  I thought for February's last hurrah of reviewing both I Am A Child Of God all verses, and My Heavenly Father Loves Me, we could spice it up a bit.  I will tweak this for the two different groups.  For the little kids, I will just call a helper up.  They will stand away from the board and toss the bean bag and it should land on a square, which will tell us how we are going to sing that particular verse.  With reviewing both songs, that is 6 verses, we should get 6 tries in that translates to 6 goofy ways to review.  This board could be used for any song though.  I know I will bring this out for just as it is just a spin on picking a singing-cards.

For the seniors, I am combining this with another idea I just saw posted that had to do with rolling doubles with dice.  So I will split the seniors into two groups.  I will hand a box with 3 dice in it to a person on each of the teams, and so that one person will be representing their team.  We will start singing the song we are reviewing and they will start rolling the dice.  Whomever gets doubles first, I put 3 dice in to add to the probability of rolling doubles faster, gets to chose a square off this board and the opposing side, the ones who didn't get doubles, has to finish the verse using the action that the other team chooses.

Hopefully it will be fun!

I Am Like A Star

We are learning all about Heavenly Father this year.  So the song, I AM LIKE A STAR, came to my mind immediately.  I love this song.  So simple, so sweet...the accompaniment is just cute.  I thought the juniors would love to learn this and possibly sing it in the program alone, or perhaps one of the junior classes could perform this alone for the program.  I made these stars on sticks for them.  Last year, I made CTR signs on sticks to learn the hymn, CHOOSE THE RIGHT, and the junior just loved it.  So I thought this would be a fun one.  Of course this song is just super short and simple and so I think they will pick up easily.  I will sing it through TWICE to make it a little longer.  I decided some actions might be fun to accompany the sticks, so they aren't just raising in the air or poking their neighbors with them.  Here goes...

I am like a Star - tap star stick to chest as if you are pointing to yourself
Shining brightly - hold stick in the air and with the wrist, shimmer it back and forth
Shining for the whole world to see - with the stick still in the air, wave it from side to side
I can do and say - use stick and point it out like you are tapping a wand on something for "do" and then hold the stick up to your mouth for the "say" part of the lyric
Happy things each day - use stick to draw an imaginary big old smiley face by your own face
For I know Heavenly Father Loves Me- Wave sticks in the air again and then tap heart with stick at the end.

A Few Of Their Favorite Things

So here's an update on the snow ball fight I had a few weeks ago with the senior primary in my ward.  I had the kids write their favorite songs on the papers before crumpling them up to throw them at me. I made a CTR shield to protect myself as they I got pelted.  The kids were in shock that I brought that which I found seriously amusing.  I told them I promised them a snowball fight...I said nothing about being unprotected while they did it.  I figure I can use this shield again.

I tallied the songs. It's interesting to hear what kids love.  I want to sing what they love.  Singing time is dedicated to learning program songs and seasonal things and articles of faith...but there is time to squeeze in favorites, too. Turns out the kids have favorites.  So my plan is...all year long, I will have this jar out. I chose this plastic mug (see picture) as it seemed really durable and it just needs to sit in my bag of tricks week after week so I didn't want something glass or bulky.  Each Sunday, we are going to choose a 'favorites' song and sing it.  And when we are done with the songs, I will put all the slips of paper back in the jar and we will start over...so all year long, the kids will get a taste of the best of the best.

So this was kinda ironic.  Out of 62 pieces of paper, there was a WINNER as far as most votes.  Can you guess what it was?  I AM A CHILD OF GOD.  I am tickled to think the song the kids want to hear most is the theme of primary this year.  And close runner ups were Child's Prayer and When I Am Baptized...both program songs.  Score!  There were alot of good songs submitted however.  I had a several requests for a song that isn't even in the book...Children Around The World. I have never sung this with my kids and I plan to teach it to them if they want it.  Popcorn Popping was in there and Scripture Power.  The kids asked me if they could include Christmas songs (I said YES) and I got several requests for Silent Night and Angels We Have Heard On High.  I think this is funny and I am not against singing Christmas songs, even if it's July. I think they will be amazed each week at the random things that come out of this jar. I hope it will be a fun weekly ritual.

It's possible to do this without the snowball fight.  You could just give the kids 1/4 sheets of paper and have them write down their favorite songs, collect them, tally them and create your own Jar of favorite things.  I just printed the songs on the computer.  I did include the 10 ten favorites, and so on the slip if it is a 10 ten fav, meaning it had multiple votes, it will say so so the kids will know if a song was particular beloved by the group or not!

If the kids can graduate from primary holding dear their favorite songs, I will feel my I did my job well.  That's the whole point of being chorister!

Christmas Bells Are Ringing

Last week I brought in a strange assortment of instruments, some I have purchased, others came from children's music kits, ect.  We sang Christmas Bells Are Ringing...did it about 4 times, changing the bell ringers each time.  Kids love to play instruments.  It was quite the little band performance! 

Follow The Prophet Goes Christmas Style

Years ago I got new lyrics to the song, Follow The Prophet, for the holiday season.  The kids always seem to sing this song with gusto and so I think it's pretty cute.

Verse 1:  Jospeh asked the man if he would let them in
But his answer came:  NO ROOM AT THE INN
They went to the stables where the cattle lay
The son of God was born in a manger full of hay.

Chorus:  Jesus is born, Jesus is born, Jesus is born in Bethlehem
Jesus is born, Jesus is born, Jesus is born, the Savior of men.

Verse 2:  Shepherds saw the star and they were 'sore afraid
They wanted to see just where the baby laid
Wise men rode their camels, followed that bright star
carried gifts for Jesus, brought from a far

Sing chorus again.

I always do lyrics on my news print pad as it's hard to teach songs that we only sing for a few weeks and then ditch.  So I will provide the words for the kids to read (senior primary only).  Part of a singing time would be writing a verse 3.  Get the kids input.  See if you can continue the story.  You could do a verse about the herald angels.  Write in primary using the chalk board or a posterboard. newsprint tablet....and then sing it.

This idea belongs to Mindy Smith...whomever she is, she is clever. THANK YOU!

Turkey Dinner

Okay, excuse the horrendous visual of this.  Alot of what I have is from years ago which was before things were in LINK or PDF forms.  This picture is of the old nursery rhyme song, Frere Jacques or commonly known as ARE YOU SLEEPING.  My mother came up with alternate lyrics to this long ago...like when I was a kid which is LONG ago.  We sing this every November.  It is so silly but really fun.  The kids love it.  You can see if the net has this song posted somewhere or perhaps from this photo, you can detect the simple accompaniment to this little song.  It could be played one handed even and by ear.

Turkey Dinner
Turkey Dinner
Gather 'round
Gather 'round
Who will eat the drum stick
Yummy, yummy yum stick
All sit down, All sit down

Corn bread muffin
Chestnut stuffin'
Pumpkin Pie
One foot high
We were all much thinner
Before we came to dinner
Me-O-My, Me-O-My

There are two verses to this song.  You can sing it straight through or you can sing it in a round. 

Have You Ever Seen A Turkey

I am going to attempt to post my NOVEMBER ideas.  I really think Thanksgiving is such a special holiday but often gets overshadowed by Halloween and Christmas.  Now that the program is over (whew), we are just going to have fun in primary. I think I will teach the kids CHILDREN ALL OVER THE WORLD on pg 16.  It's not one we ever sing but it's a classic and has a good message.

Also, here's a spin on an oldie but goodie.  HERE WE ARE TOGETHER, pg 261.  Change the words to HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A TURKEY.

Have you ever seen a turkey, a turkey, a turkey?
Have you ever seen a turkey on Thanksgiving day?
Move this way (move to right) move that way (move to the left)
REPEAT
Have you ever seen a turkey, move this way or that.

I did this last year and put these funny little feather hats on me and my helpers, which I found at JoAnn's Fabric Store but you could make them or perhaps find them there again this year.  Often Target has strange things like this in their $1-Spot section.  Anyway, we had all the kids stand and sing this song and do their turkey dance.  Good times.

Love Halloween

 

 

I love putting spins on songs in the primary book.  Some might find this a bit sacreligious for primary but I did last year and didn't get in trouble, so I am doing it again.  I LOVE the song

HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT

(it has so many ways to spin it!)

 

So I just printed Halloween clip art, laminted it and glued it to a stick.  Put the sticks in a bucket and the kids pick out a stick and sing HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT

 

GHOST:  If You're a Ghost and you know it , then say BOO.  BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Witch:  If A Witch makes you laugh, say HEE, HEE, HEE.  HEE, HEE, HEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Monster:  If you're a monster and you know it, ROAR.  ROOOOOAR!!!!!!!!!!!!

BLACK CAT:  If you're afraid of black cats, say MEOW.  MEOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SKELETON:  If you think skeletons are cool, wiggle your bones (have them stand and shake)

 

The kids think this is hilarious. I find this a fun way to celebrate the season and what kid isn't totally ecstatic that Halloween is on the way?  I know I am excited about it!  So call me a big kid!

5 Little Pumpkins...

Yes.... fall is almost here.  Last year, I taught the kids this song and they LOVED it.  I will be resurrecting it soon as autumn is on its way.

I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND WHAT DID I SEE? (use hands like glasses)
5 LITTLE PUMPKINS STARING BACK AT ME (hold up 5 fingers and point to yourself)
FALL HAS BROUGHT ME SUCH A NICE SURPRISE (hands out in surprise)
A PUMPKIN PATCH RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES (hold up 5 fingers and point to eyes)
I CAN TAKE A PUMPKIN AND CARVE IT OUT (mold arms in a circle and pretend to carve)
GIVE IT 2 EYES (hold up 2 fingers and point to eyes)
A NOSE (point to nose)
A MOUTH (point to mouth)
IT WASN'T REALLY SO BUT IT SEEMED TO ME (shake finger)
5 LITTLE PUMPKINS STARING BACK AT ME (hold up 5 fingers and point to yourself)

I love a spin on an oldie but goodie!

Nephi's Courage

Welll May has been insane.  I haven't had any time to really do much except survive.  But it's almost June and I saw this on a blog and thought it was adorable.  A gal had created signs for the first verse of Nephi's Courage.  Since that is the song for June, I think I will definitely sing it with the juniors this way and I have been busy thinking of actions for the 2nd and 3rd verse.  This song is ADORABLE.  I think the kids will really get into it.

First Verse
The Lord commanded Nephi (raise hands upward towards heaven)
To Go and Get The plates (form hands into a book position to signify the plates)
From the wicked Laban (make a scowl and use fists up by eyebrows to make a mean face)
Inside the city gates (hands together, finger tips touching, then open to signify the gate opening)
Lamen and Lemuel (hold out one arm to the left and then the other the right)
Were both afraid to try (put fingers on lips to make a nervous look)
Nephis was courageous (put both arms in flexing position, 90 degree angle)
This was his reply....
I will go, I will do (take right hand in fist position and first pound the left side of your chest over the heart and then extend the same arm forward into the sky as you say "DO")
The things the Lord commands (raise hands upward towards heaven)
I know the Lord provides a way (take right hand and extend it forward and point to signify the "way")
He wants us to obey, fold arm and bow head
REPEAT

Second Verse
The Lord commanded Nephi (raise hands upward towards heaven)
To go and build a boat (use both arms and hand to create a cradle position and rock)
Nephi's older brother's said it would not float (use pointer finger to point and then use both thumbs and point them down when you sing the "float" part)
Laughing and mocking, they said he should not try (mimic laughing and mocking and then use pointer finger again to point)
Nephi was courageous, this was his reply (put both arms into flexing position)
Use same actions above for chorus twice

Third Verse
The Lord gave us commandments (raise hand upward towards heaven and then create the book position again to signify commandments (book of Mormon) )
And asks us to obey (Hold right hand out as an invitiation)
Sometimes I am tempted (use thumb to point to yourself)
To Choose another way (use right hand to point off to the ride side)
When I'm discourage (make sad face and point to yourself)
And think I cannot try (shake head back and forth signifying "NO")
I will be courageous (arms in flexing position)
And I will reply....
Use same actions above for chrous twice.

I will introduce the song by showing a picture of Nephi and asking the children what his "catch phrase is".

What does Nephi say when asked to get the plates?
What does Nephi say when asked to build a boat?
What does Nephi teach us to say by his example so we can reply when asked to do hard things?

I think this will be super fun and get the kids jazzed about singing this song and making Nephi one of their heroes!

A Happy Song

We hope it is time for spring right?  That the sun is on its way and the earth will awake? I am in the mood to sing something about springtime!

Well here is a song I NEVER hear anymore, so I made some visuals for it.  I hope the kids enjoy singing it and that we can revive it and have it become a favorite again!

Ducks in a pond sing a happy song

action:  clamp hand open and close like a ducks beak

Mother Hen crackles to the whole day long

action: do the chicken arms up and down

Birds in their nest

action: cup hands to form a nest

and wind in the tree tops

all join in singing a happy song!

action: wave arms back 'n forth in the air like wind

then hold hands out (like when we sing what did I see?) for all join in part

The 2nd verse is super cute, too.

Once There Was Tulip

My husband just bought me these.  They are my favorite flower.  They reminded me of another little variation of a primary song that is so fitting for spring.  Again, I am tweaking the lyrics of an old favorite so the song gets more longevity throughout the year.  This is to the tune of ONCE THERE WAS A SNOWMAN.  So with the tulip, you do the actions in reverse, starting out small on the ground, and growing up tall, tall, tall like a flower would grow!

Once there was a tulip, tulip, tulip...
Once there was a tulip, small, small small, (get on the ground, then pinch your fingers to indicate a teeny little seed)
In the spring (or sun), it grew, grew grew (start standing up slowly and getting taller and taller)
In the spring (or sun), it grew, TALL, TALL, TALL

Have You Ever Seen Bunny?

I like to tweak lyrics to certain songs, adds a little variety to some of the kiddos favorites.

So in honor of spring and Easter...  I got these ears for 97cents at Wal Mart.  I did this in November with "turkey" and I called up 4 helpers who had to put on some feather headbands (bought from JoAnns) and my helpers demonstrate how they think a turkey would walk. Then I had the entire primary stand up and sing with me and do the turkey walk. So I will do the same but with the bunny ears. The little kids got really into this last fall, and it is a fun wiggle song for the spring time.  Since the ears are blue and pink, I will ask for a boy and girl helper as ask them to show me how they would hop and then we will sing...

To the tune of HERE WE ARE TOGETHER

Have you ever seen a bunny, a bunny, a bunny?
Have you ever seen a bunny hopping along?
Hop this way or that way, and this way or that way (hop in all directions)
Have you ever seen a bunny, hope this way or that?

It seems like any spring time animal could be used.  A duckie or lambie or goosie....!

GOODBYE SONG

Have you noticed that when we have visitors we sing the HELLO song but when people move away or teachers or leaders get released, there is no song of appreciation or farewell?  Our primary has sung this for years. I think it is sweet.  Someone genius changed the lyrics to HELLO FRIENDS....

GOODBYE FRIEND(S) IT'S SAD TO SEE
YOU LEAVING OUR PRIMARY
WE'LL BE SAD BUT THIS WE KNOW
YOU'LL BE LOVED WHEREVER YOU GO

This is kind of a sweet send off!

New Lyric To An Oldie But Goodie - We Are A Happy Family

WE ARE A HAPPY FAMILY

I Love Jesus

He Loves Me

He Loves Families

Yes-Sir-Ree

We Build Temples

And So You See

We'll Be Together Eternally

This might be fun to sing in a Valentines Singing Time as it has to do with Love and our Savior.  I think it is very sweet!

New Lyrics to a GOODIE - POPORN POPPING

I again cannot take credit for this.  I will say this is one of the most favorite and requested songs in my primary currently.  I got this idea long ago from a lady name Julie Coles.  Thanks Julie!  Since then I have used the idea to write new lyrics for a version of this song but for autumn time, but since fall is over, I will just post this one for now.

SNOWFLAKES FALLING RIGHT UP TO MY KNEE
to the tune of Popcorn Popping:

I looked out the window and what did I see (hands out in "WHY" position)
Snowflakes falling right up to my kneww (action = snow falling and then slap knee)
Winter's brought me such a nice surprise, snowflakes falling right before my eyes (hands out, mimic snow falling and then point to eyes)
I can take an arm full and a ball (arms in rounding motion to, scooping motion)
Stack 3 high for a snowman tall ( show 3 fingers and then show tall by three levels reaching to the sky)
It wasn't really so, but it seemed to be (pointing motion like in original song)
Snowflakes falling right up to my knee (motion snow falling and then slap knee)

KIDS LOVE THIS.  And if you are really brave you can wear a hat and scarf when you sing it.  They love seeing leaders be silly!