Sticky Arms & Legs: I have the kids "glue" their arms to their sides and their legs together/feet to the floor. Then we try to sing the song without moving. Then after the song, I pretend that I can't get "unstuck" and have a few kids come and peel my arms away from my body and push me just a bit to get my feet off the floor. It's a great way to teach them to be still when they are singing.
Sing Backwards: This one is pretty simple - I just walk to the back of the room and have the kids turn around and sing towards the back. It's funny to watch the reactions of the people sitting in the back!
Color Blocks: In the past I just pointed to the color on the card, but after getting a few questions I got to thinking that there must be a different way that would be more clear to the kids which color I was pointing to. Then I went to Lowe's to pick out some paint and bingo! Paint swatches (chips? samples? what are they called?!) were everywhere so I just grabbed the colors I needed, took them home and cut off the writing then mounted them on small popsicle sticks back to back. Now, next time I use that card, I'll just hold up the sticks and they'll know what color to sing for.I'm always looking for more fun ways to sing to add to the collection - do any of you have ideas that work with your primary kids? Feel free to share in the comments, and I'll make more cards to add to the blog!
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Buzz like a bee, teachers only, whistle. Could you make a few more cards for those ideas? :) I would love it!
ReplyDeleteBrittney, I just found your blog and I can't stop reading it! You have fabulous ideas....ones that I really need. Anyway, in reading about your color blocks however, I am confused on what you use them for. What do you mean you just pointed to the color on the card? I don't understand.....thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteAnnie,
ReplyDeleteIf you print the Fun Ways to Sing cards, there is one that has nine colored squares on it. I use it to point to a color and if you're wearing that color, you sing. Or if you like that color, you sing. Using just the card was kind of hard - the kids had a hard time seeing exactly what color I was pointing at. So I made the paint chips on popsicle sticks to make it easier, and I can also hold up more than one color at a time. I hope that makes sense!
-Brittney
Yes, it totally does! Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteHello Annie,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for letting the rest of us bum your ideas! Its greatly appreciated. One Action that I have the kids do and they love it is being an OPERA singer. way fun. you hold your hands in front of you and sing high with a vibrato!
Our kids do this too, it's a favorite!
DeleteAgreed, even the senior primary find Opera singing a hoot. Would love a card for that, and THANK YOU for sharing these!! Not sure if it's appropriate or not (I guess depending on the song) but in the fall we use a monster voice and scare the teacher is popular anytime (the kids sing softly and then very loud at the end that it Scares the teacher :o)).
DeleteHigh voice, low voice, on the floor...
DeleteCan I ask another question about these cards, which are AWESOME... I just printed them all. Do you choose one per song? Do you let a child come and grab one? Do you use multiple ones during one song? Thanks! Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteBrooke,
DeleteYes, I would use one per song. I would let a child choose. I usually wrote numbers on the back with a wet-erase marker so I didn't spend a lot of time with kids coming up and sitting down. Yelling out "#5!" was usually easier. As you use these, just be careful to use them in appropriate ways - it may not be the best idea to sing If The Savior Stood Beside me like a rock star...I'm just sayin' :) Have fun!
Love your fresh ideas and pictures! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you do for "Hold Your Tongue", one big breath, and mouth open?
You're welcome!!
DeleteHold your tongue - just what it says :) stick out your tongue, grab it with your 2 fingers, and sing without letting go! Definitely better for a wiggle song or one that is not as reverent - it can be pretty hilarious!
One big breath - inhale as deeply as you can, and try to sing the whole song before you take another breath. Do this one a capella - you'll speed up a LOT before you're done!
Mouth open - just open wide and start singing. When your lips don't touch at all it sounds a lot like you do at the dentist and they're trying to carry on a conversation while your mouth is gaping!
Have fun with these ones! More to come :)
Thank you for your suggestions. Fun doesn't come naturally for me, I'm afraid (I'm not a mum and mainly teach uni students and older) ... but your ideas have really helped.
ReplyDelete