Saturday, December 7, 2013

2014 Singing Time Schedule

Ahhh, it's finally done!  Amazing how you can never find a solid hour to get anything done!  I'm sorry to those of you who have been nudging me ever so politely to get this schedule updated and posted.

Here is the deal with the schedule...

1.  In order to print it through Google Docs, you must be able to log into your Google account (aka gmail).  If you log in, you won't have any problems downloading or printing any single thing on this blog.  If you do not have a Google account, it's easy to create one.

2.  If you choose not to log in through Google, you can email me for a PDF copy.  I will try to send them out once a day, in one big batch.  Please be patient with me, life is pretty hectic right now :)

3.  In reference to the aforementioned "hectic" comment, I have opted to make the schedule generic - with no listed order for the songs like I've done in previous years.  I went back and counted, and in 2013 I made over 70 versions of the schedule, with only a portion of those available on the blog.  I would LOVE to help each of you make it work for your specific primary, but it's just not feasible this year.  So, please don't be mad at me!  Some of you might even like it better (I hope).

I think that's it.  Good luck with your new year!  A very special welcome to all of the new choristers that have been called, as this is a popular time of year to make changes.  You're going to LOVE this calling!  And to all of you that are moving on to different assignments, wasn't this the most fun you've ever had?!  Nothing will ever quite compare!

Have a wonderful Christmas season, and an even better New Year!  Love to you all!!!!

2014 Singing Time Schedule

Pin It Now!

Monday, July 22, 2013

Taking Our Tempo-rature

I have spent the last 2 days in bed, sick with a horrific case of everything you can imagine.  As usual, in my medicated state, my hallucinations involve primary music!  So here's an idea that could be fun!

My pretend version of the board for this activity.  
You will need:
A poster with a thermometer drawn on it, or you can just draw it on the board.  Either way.
Word strips that say...Fast, Medium, Slow
More word strips for each song you are going to be singing, and a bag or something to choose them from
Even more word strips with different tempo ranges on them (more on this below)
A metronome - if you have a real one, great.  If not, you can download a free on on your smart phone/iPad

I'm going to use three of the program as an example.  So I would have word strips with these titles on one side, and the tempo range on the other side.
My Heavenly Father Loves Me, 50-56
When I am Baptized, 60-72
Families Can Be Together Forever, 80-96

Then I would randomly select 3 different tempo ranges from other songs.
112-120
84-108
92-112
Just make sure there are enough random ones to match up to the # of songs you are reviewing.

Have a child come up and pick a song out of the one bag and a tempo range from the other.  Set the metronome to that tempo, and sing the song.  Some of them will be sung WAY faster than normal, others WAY slower, and some might actually work.  Talk about the tempo, and how it can effect the feeling the music gives us when we sing it.  You can even go into the words they use in the book (like fervently, prayerfully, playfully, with conviction, etc.)  Look on the back of the title card and sing the song at the right tempo.  Place the title card on the thermometer where the group thinks it belongs - slow, medium, or fast.

Which is our slowest song?  Which is the fastest?  Do we have more fast or slow songs in the program?

Well, I don't know if that makes any sense, but hopefully you can piece it together if it doesn't.  Did I mention I'm a walking pharmacy?  Yep.  Hope you all have a great week!
Pin It Now!

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Song Chain


Well, hi!  Did you think I disappeared?  If only!  I've been working feverishly on getting the preschool up and running, and have even managed to squeeze in a couple of vacations.  So far it's been a great summer!  Here is an idea for you that takes literally ZERO preparation.  I like to call it The Song Chain.


All you do is pick a starting song.  I would have several songs in a bag, or have some other way of selecting a song just in case you hit a dead end.  You can write it on the board, or just tell the title to the primary kids.  Sing the song, then pick a helper to link the next song to the first one.  The linked song has to either start with the same word, or contain one of the same words as the first one.  Here is an example of how a song chain might link up:

I am a Child of God
I Have Two Little Hands
Holding Hands around the World
We'll Bring the World His Truth (Armies of Helaman)

And so on.  Like I mentioned before, if you hit a dead end just pick another song out of your bag and start again.

So what have you guys been up to this summer?  We're getting into review season, with programs less than 3 months away!  I'm excited to post some fun ideas for you, so stay tuned!

Pin It Now!

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Flip Chart - Joseph Smith's First Prayer

Hey, everyone!

Sorry it has taken me so long to get this flip chart posted.  This one actually has A LOT more words than I usually put on flip charts (meaning most of the words are on this one).  Because of the sacred nature of the lyrics, and the references to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, I didn't want to use symbols or other visual hints.  The pictures are fairly repetitive, but I feel like it is okay in this case.  I hope you find it useful - it may be pretty much the same as others you have found!

Have a great time with this song...it is one of my favorites!

Flip Chart

Pin It Now!

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Oh, my heck...I'm so excited!

This is another one of those random, nothing to do with primary posts.  Forgive me if you thought this was going to be useful to you at all...it probably isn't.

But I'm excited!  In my last random post, I referenced my bucket list.  I actually did a post about it on one of my other blogs, but that was only my teenage list.  My grownup list is so much better.  And safer.  Anyway, one of the things on my grownup list is to open a preschool.  I just love teaching kids (which is probably why I loved being a chorister!), and all of the sudden the opportunity is just falling into my lap.

Yep.  I'm opening a preschool!!!!

Oh, man.  It's awesome.  A couple of gals in my ward have been running a preschool for the last 10 years, and a few days ago I found out that this is going to be their last year.  After some prodding and encouragement from my mom, I got up the courage to call these ladies and ask if they would mind if I sort of picked up where they are leaving off.  They have been so gracious and helpful, and I think with their help I'll be able to transition really easily.  So, it's off to the races!  I might be a little preoccupied with preschool stuff for a while, but I still have a bunch of things in the works here, so I'll still be around.

Are any of you preschool teachers?  What advice can you give me?  I'd love all the feedback I can get!

Oh, and if you live in North Utah County, I know a really good preschool for the fall...(hint, hint!)

Pin It Now!

Q&A - So They're Just Not That Into You...

For many of you, the title of this post will have no relevance - you have totally "got" this calling:  you have the kids eating out of your hand every week, they love everything you do, and when they see you in the halls or the grocery store or in the carpool line they spontaneously burst into angelic primary song singing splendor.

But for some of you others, it kind of stings a little bit because you have actually felt this once or twice, or maybe even all the time.  Before I get any further into this post, I want to reiterate that these musings are only my opinions and are based on my own experiences.  Of course I am not implying that any of you are lousy choristers, because that is absolutely the furthest thing from the truth.  I guarantee it.  The fact that you accepted this calling proves that you have the stuff it takes to be great at what you do.  So, this post is to help you maybe identify what the problems might be (if there even are any), and a few ideas on ways to change your image, so to speak.  So here goes.

Reason they might not be that into you #1:  They're bored.

I am not a huge fan of elaborate singing times.  Just peruse my archives and they will prove that.  Simple is really good almost all of the time.  However, it is really easy to slip into a rut of easiness.  Please don't think that simple = easy all the time.  Planning a successful singing time takes time and effort each week - don't get stuck in the "oh, I guess I have to do singing time today...let's see, what do I have in my church bag that we can play hot/cold with..."  I know that happens sometimes, trust me - I've been there.  But prayerfully and carefully considering what those kids need is a time-consuming process.  One thing I will tell you that I cannot stress enough...just because they're bored, that doesn't mean you're boring!  See how I put that in red so you would actually read it?!  Here are some ways to combat boredom.

-Use a singing time schedule.  You don't have to use the one that I made, but find one that works for you. ---Stagger your birthday and welcome songs so you don't sing the same ones every week.
-Use a wiggle worm jar.
-Follow the 5-10-5 rule.
-Don't take the program songs so seriously that you forget that there are hundreds of other killer songs out there that you can spend time teaching.
-Don't be afraid to deviate from the plan - if things are just going off track and you're losing them turn things back on them.  "I can see that we are in the mood for something else - what do you guys think would be fun?"  or "You know what?  I'm bored.  Are you bored?  I'm bored.  I think we need to switch gears.  How about we do a little bit of stretching...then we'll sing Suzy's favorite song.  Then how about we try this again?"

Reason they might not be that into you #2:  They smell blood.  And they are starving, chorister-eating animals.

Are you scared?  Shy?  So far out of your comfort zone that you're searching for your 72-hour kit?  Are you overwhelmed because your primary is so big it has a nose-bleed section?  Oh, you can't sing?  And you stopped being creative in kindergarten?  And the last chorister was the best EVER and you'll never live up to her?  And all of the adults are staring at you and judging you and uploading videos of you doing Head Shoulders Knees and Toes onto Facebook?

Okay, so you're scared.  I get it.  I have mentioned in a few posts now about my exponential use of deodorant and anti-diarrheal medication during those first couple of months.  We all get it - there are a lot of things to be afraid of, but you have to gird up your loins, people.  If the kids smell fear, they will exploit it.  It's just the nature of children (no, children are not inherently evil, they are just really good at finding a weakness and never letting you live it down.  and that's a true story, in my opinion!).  Be assertive.  Set rules and follow through on them.  Expect good behavior.  Remember - they might be the carnivores, but you control the food source.  Show 'em who's boss!  And don't forget - you can't have fear and faith.

Reason they might not be that into you #3:  They're too cool for singing time.

Here are some thoughts on boys.  Many of those ideas can be applied to girls and younger kids, too.  If you have one or two or several kids that just flat out refuse to sing, maybe give them a break.  Enlist one of them to be your helper for the week or month.  Get them involved and you might see a difference.  Sometimes just separating problem pairs can work wonders.  There is no reason that children can't be paired up with different classes or ages.  If Bobby and Dave won't sing when they're together, then Bobby stands up at the front picking helpers and Dave gets to sit with the Sunbeams and help them learn the song.  Think outside the box and try to figure out how to reach them.  And it's okay that they're growing up or feeling insecure - it happened to all of us.  If they're being downright rude, involve the presidency, teachers, and/or parents.

Reason they might not be that into you #4:  They're tired/hungry/hot/cold/excited/stressed/miss their mom/etc.

Sometimes some things are just out of your control.  Aside from setting up a buffet of peanut butter sandwiches and singing them to sleep, there just might be nothing you can do.  On those days when things are just out of control, throw caution to the wind and sing fun songs.  There's always next week!  When I mention stress, that is a very real thing for some of these kids.  If they are feeling pressured to learn songs and stick to a schedule, it takes the fun right out of it.  Don't ever let them feel like they are not meeting expectations.  Their only job is to have fun and learn a few things along the way.  You're a facilitator, not a headmistress!

Can you think of any other reasons that kids may not be that into singing time?  How do you overcome the most challenging days?  Here are a couple of issues that some of our fellow choristers are having...what advice do you have?

"I have a few kids that get so mad when they aren't chosen to help every single time. If another child gets chosen twice they interrupt the song and walk up to tell me they should have another turn also. I tell them I won't pick the kids that disrupt me. Then they stalk off and stop participating."

"I have a few teachers that do not enjoy their calling. They sit in the back and roll their eyes at me all sharing time. There is one that always corrects my mistakes and makes suggestions on games etc. I'm not sure if I should include them more with my review games or just keep pretending they don't exist."

"What do you do when the kids are starting to get out of control (especially the new sunbeams)?"

Pin It Now!

Thursday, March 7, 2013

New Products at LDSPrimaryProps

I am SOOO excited to tell you this!  I am teaming up with my darling sister-in-law, Jen, to bring you a whole bunch of fun new things to download!  Jen is an amazing graphic designer.  Some of you may have seen her day-planner, and you may even be using it!  We've been talking on and off forever about doing some sort of something together, and when I started thinking about all of the things I wish I could create for primary (but can't because my tech abilities are super limited), I knew that she could do a bang-up job!

She is busy creating downloadable versions of all of the ideas in my head, and we are going to start posting them to the Etsy store!  The first one is up already - a dang adorable Armor of God printable.  So go check it out!  And keep checking back for more!  Her designs are amazing...you're going to love everything that's coming!
Pin It Now!
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...