2013 Singing Time Schedule

Wow, last year I was so on the ball!  This year is another story entirely, and so I'm just now getting around to posting the schedule for next year.  Sorry!  I have been getting several emails a day wondering when it's coming, and now it's here!  Click on the link to download and print:

2013 Singing Time Schedule
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 2
2013 Singing Time schedule - version 3
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 4
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 5
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 6
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 7
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 8
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 9
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 10
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 11
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 12
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 13
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 14
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 15
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 16
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 17
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 18
2013 Singing Time Schedule - version 20
2013 Singing Time Schedule - in Finnish
2013 Singing Time Schedule - for Danna


Here are the rules, so please read through them so you know what's up!

1.  I created this document in a program called Art Explosion Publisher Pro Silver.  If you do not have this exact program, you cannot edit this schedule.  I repeat - if you do not have this exact program, you cannot edit this schedule.

2.  In light of #1, I am happy to help you edit the order of the songs so it fits your primary better.  Please email me if I can help you, and include the order you would like the songs to appear.  Give me a few days to get it done, because between mom stuff, work, school, scouts, and everything else, sometimes it takes a few days to get to my email.

3.  Use it, share it, give me your feedback, have fun, and count your blessings that you have the best calling in the church!

That's it!  Have a great 2013!

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A Word On...Involving Teachers

I have to say, I'm a little nervous about this one!  But I have wanted to do this post for a long time, since before I was released last year.  This might become a series of posts that open the proverbial can of worms.  The last one was about memorization.  This one is on the touch subject of...teachers.  What to do with the teachers in primary?  I think primary teachers are AMAZING.  Especially the older ones, the newly married ones, the pre-mish ones, the moms with little kids at home that could probably use a break but love their calling anyway, the dads that try so hard to participate and still look like a dignified priesthood holder...you know...the teachers.  But what to do with them?  Here's a few thoughts, just for your consideration.  But keep in mind, these are only my opinions!  No haters, please!!  And for the record, when I say participation, I do not mean singing.  I do believe that each teacher should be singing all the songs all the time (this is in the handbook that they should be singing!).  "Participation" means being called on randomly, asked to sing alone, asked to come up to the front - things that are above and beyond singing. 

Wait, before I start, I want to highlight what the Handbook 2 says are the duties of a primary teacher:

Primary teachers and nursery leaders remain with the children during the entire Primary time on Sunday, including sharing time and breaks. During sharing time, they sit with their assigned classes, sing the songs with the children, and help the children participate reverently.

OK, here we go...
1.  DO encourage participation, and even require it - but you DON'T necessarily need to test the teachers to see how well they know the songs.  Test the kids, not the teachers.
2.  DO use the teachers as reverence referees.  Remember the handbook - the teachers are to help the children participate reverently!
3.  DO sit the teachers against the walls whenever possible.  This gives you a clear view of the kids, and the teachers can lean over if they need to address any behavioral issues.
4.  DO have a conversation with each of the teachers in your primary.  Ask them to what extent they are comfortable participating, and be very respectful of their answers.  Some teachers are game for anything, other teachers wish they were invisible.
5.  If you do need the participation of the teachers, call them in advance.  Let them know that tomorrow during singing time you're going to need them to stand on their chair and sing a solo.  Then, if they decline, you can change your plan or ask someone else.
6.  DO provide your teachers with copies of the music if necessary.  Your primary may not need to do this,  and I admit I never did, but I've been in primaries where it is helpful.  Either make the songbooks available to them or make packets with copies of the music.  Even if you type the lyrics out that would be immensely helpful.  Sometimes old brains just don't pick up on things as quickly as the young brains do.  Think of how much time you put into memorizing the songs before you get to primary - sometimes hours!  Return the favor!  If the teachers aren't singing because they don't know the words, take that excuse off the table.  Just remind them that the words are for them, not for them to share with the kids.  We really do want the kids to memorize the words!  (and as a side note, the teachers will end up memorizing them, too - they just need a little more help at the beginning!)
7.  DO enlist the help of your auxiliary leaders and church resources.  Primary presidencies, stake primary presidencies, bishopric, inservice meetings, training materials, Handbook 2, the primary page of LDS.org - all of these and more!  The key to good participation from teachers is in the training.  When a teacher is called, the president or counselor over teaching could have a quick training meeting, which could include counsel about how to conduct themselves during sharing/singing time.  Make sure your presidency has a strict "no cell-phone" policy.  They are distracting to the teacher and the children.  But your presidency really has to enforce this one.  If teacher reverence/participation is a problem, notify your leaders and they can make it a topic of training.
8.  Remember - the only person required to make a fool spectacle of themselves in singing time is YOU.  You are called, set apart, and sustained to do it.  They are teachers.  Their job is very different.
9.  Also remember - the teachers have already been through primary.  Even if they didn't have the whole primary experience, none of the teachers are under 12.  I guess you could say they are not in primary they are of primary.  :)  They are there to sing with the kids and maintain peace.  You are not there to teach the teachers - you are there to teach the chil-dren.
10.  Don't ask the teachers the hard questions.  Just because they're grown up doesn't mean they know the answer!  I've been in primary when the president held up a picture of a gospel story and asked a certain teacher that was recently coming back into activity to tell the story the picture represented.  The teacher was horrified!  Just don't put them on the spot.  The better way to handle that may have been to call the teacher that morning or the day before and tell them that you would appreciate them coming prepared to tell the story of Daniel in the lion's den tomorrow.  That gives them some time to study and prepare!
11.  If you wouldn't be comfortable doing it, chances are they wouldn't be either.  'Nuff said.
12.  Try not to single teachers out.  It can be embarrassing and has the potential of having the opposite effect of what you intended.
13.  If your teachers are total duds, then move on.  As long as they're not detracting from the spirit of singing time, they are better left alone.  If they are detracting, that's a presidency issue - not yours.  Encourage them, be kind, give them incentives, whatever you feel like you need to do - but just don't push it too far.
14.  I only thought of 13, but I will use #14 to reiterate the fact that primary is for kids.  Not grown ups.  Kids.  Not grown ups.  Focus on the kids.  Not on the grown ups.  Mm-kay?

For those of you whose whiskers are prickling right now, I KNOW that teachers are a valuable motivator in primary.  They can bring fun and whimsy to singing time like nothing else.  I AGREE.  You will know how to work with the teachers in your primary.  Sometimes the teachers are having more fun than the kids!  You may have a personality that can get anyone to do anything and love it.  You may feel like your teachers are your only leverage.  Your kids may LOVE IT when you "pick on" the teachers - it may be the best motivator you have!  You have stewardship in your calling, and the Spirit will prompt you in the way you should conduct your singing time.  Just be considerate, provide them with the right tools, plan ahead, ask permission, and know the limits.

Are we still friends?
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New Sunbeams

One of the cutest and potentially the most frustrating tasks as a chorister (and presidency member, we don't want to overlook them), is orienting new sunbeams to the primary schedule and structure.

Many of you have been having them come in for a few weeks, which is great.
Many of you already do the singing time in nursery, so the kids are familiar with you and may know several songs already.
Many of you are worried about how you're going to start teaching new songs and be able to give attention to the little ones without them monopolizing your time.  Especially those of you with combined Jr/Sr.  Scary!

Here are a couple of ideas for you, if I think of more I'll post them.  I've tried the egg one, and just thought of the Sunbeam Airlines one, so it could be a disaster.  Of course, your circumstances will be different (anyone with 20 sunbeams coming in?  I know you're out there!) so adapt and use them as creative springboards.  And of course, as always, share with us what works for you!

Sunbeam Orientation Idea #1:  Keep the egg warm
This is an idea I saw (I think) on the I Sing U Sing blog.  Print and laminate these eggs, enough for each child plus a few extras.  Find a nest or something like that, and fill it with small treats (I used jelly beans).  As each sunbeam comes in, have them choose an egg and explain to them the following - you're going to tape the egg to their chair, they have to sit on the egg to keep it warm, if they keep their egg warm all during singing time they will get a treat out of the nest {show them the nest}.  If their egg gets cold, they don't get a treat but they can try again next week or during sharing time.  Add your own flourishes to get them excited, but dude.  They're 3.  Candy is cool, and eggs are cool.  During your 20 minutes, if the eggs are getting cold, grab the nest and wave it in front of them.  See if it works!

Sunbeam Orientation Idea #2:  Sunbeam Airlines
OK, this one can be fun, but you do have to have at least 1-2 weeks to dedicate to this theme.  The key here is two visual aids.  #1:  Flight wings.  You can print Sunbeam Airlines official pilot wings here.  #2:  Seatbelts.  I know, I know.  Seatbelts?  It can work, I assure you.  They're easy to assemble - long strips of fabric and velcro.  I don't have pictures, but I'll see if I can get some done for you.  As you begin singing time, address the primary as a flight attendant on Sunbeam Airlines.  Give them a spiel on exits, and play it up as much as you want.  Tell the sunbeams that they need to fasten their seatbelts, because you're going to go on a wild singing ride today!  Assist the teacher in "buckling" each child in, which entails looping the fabric underneath the chair and velcro-ing it on their lap.  They are clearly meant for effect and not to actually strap the child in.  That would be weird, and I'm pretty sure illegal.  So don't make them tight.  Or real.  The goal is for them to stay in their seats for the entire flight and earn their wings.  If they earn them, use tape, a clothespin, or a magnet to fasten the wings to each child's shirt/dress.  I would laminate them so you can use them week after week.  If you want to include the whole primary, print enough for each child.

That's all I got so far.  I'll keep thinking, though.  The purpose of these activities is to train the children to sit in their chairs.  It's a really long time to sit for these little ones, so have fun and be patient with them.

Also helpful for sunbeams:

• Make sure to incorporate a lot of actions, standing up, sitting down, stretching, wiggle songs and nursery songs.
• PLEASE don't overlook them, and by overlook them I literally mean don't always look to the back of the room or to the older kids who automatically grab your attention.  Make an effort to look each of them in the eye every few minutes.  
• Pick at least one of them as a helper each week, even if it means they get more turns for the first little while.  

Let us all know how the transition goes!
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Those Older Boys...

One of the questions I see all the time, whether it's in a giveaway entry, in the Yahoo group, or just in talking to other choristers, is this:  how do I get the older boys to sing?!  I've been giving this a lot of thought, and here are a few ideas just to get you going.  If you are one of the lucky ones that have the Vienna Boys Choir in the back of your primary room, please share your secrets!

1.  Separate them!  One of the things that was most successful in our primary was to have the boys split up.  Assign them each a younger class to sit with, and they move to sit with that class.  They always felt very responsible for the younger kids, and would sing loud in order to help the younger kids learn the words and music.

2.  Teach them harmony parts.  Often, these boys are going through the awkwardness of voice changes, and it can be extremely difficult (and embarrassing!) for them to sing the high notes.  A great solution is to teach them a simple harmony in a lower key.  They will appreciate the lower notes, and will like to hear themselves blend with the rest of your primary.

3.  Incorporate things that they like to do.  If you have boys in sports, play basketball name that tune, or turn your chalkboard into a football field.  Throw them a ball and ask them the next word.  If they play an instrument, invite them to play for primary if it's appropriate.  If they are a drummer, bring straws and have the kids play the rhythm of the song on the chair in front of them.  If you can appeal to their "worldly" interests, you can surprise them with music and testimony.

4.  Get male substitutes.  I would always invite one of the brethren in your ward to take your place when you have to be out of town!  If it can be the father of one of your older boys, that's even better.  Most men are more than willing to help out, especially if you plan a simple review game for them to play.  This will show the boys that men can sing primary songs and still be macho.

5.  Ask them to help you teach a new song.  This would be a great way for them to complete the Serving Others or Developing Talents requirements for their Faith in God.  Coordinate with their teacher to spend a class time developing a teaching strategy and allow them to prepare the props, sing in front of the other children, and help them teach the song phrase by phrase.  They will feel a huge sense of pride and accomplishment every time "their" song is sung.

6.  Have your Bishop give them a singing "calling."  If your Bishop will agree, have him invite each of the boys into his office and extend to him the special assignment of singing in primary.  Sometimes they just need to feel like what they contribute is important and that Heavenly Father is aware of their sacrifice!  It can be very hard to do an "uncool" thing in front of others.  But if you can twist it arrange it so that it's part of preparing for a mission, serving the other primary children, etc., then they may feel more inclined to participate.  But remember - the call must come from the Bishop - you as the chorister are just not cool enough.  (sorry, but someone has to say it!)


7.  Spice up your wiggle songs.  There are some great cards for Do As I'm Doing and Fun to Do by Divine Secrets of a Primary Chorister.  Print them and use them!  Often!  I always keep these in my binder so I can pull them out when the kids need a break.  The actions are hilarious, and will bring out the silly youthful side of anyone - especially the boys.  Sing Head Shoulders Knees & Toes with changeable body parts and actions.  Anything to get their minds and bodies working together.

8.  Encourage reverent listening.  Let's face it.  Some of us are singers, some of us are listeners.  You yourself might be a listener, but because of your calling as a chorister you are required to step out of your comfort zone.  The boys (and maybe even girls) in your primary might be more comfortable listening to the beautiful songs you are singing.  Invite the spirit and train them on how to listen by bringing an MP3 player or other recording device and playing for them various types of songs - think MoTab, piano solos, a capella hymns, violin concertos, bagpipes (perfect of Praise to the Man), and so on.  Have them close their eyes, dim the lights, use a slide show - anything that can teach them that sometimes the still small voice doesn't speak to us - it sings.  Once they learn to appreciate listening they can work on mastering that art.  It will encourage them to be reverent, and their future wives will thank you for all of those mad listening skills.

9.  Enlist the help of their teacher(s).  If you can win over the grown up, you have a powerful ally.  'Nuff said.

10.  Utilize class time for one-on-...class instruction.  At the beginning of each month, ask their teacher for 5-10 minutes to come into their class and teach them the song(s) you're going to learn that month.  A more intimate setting may help them feel more comfortable, and the heads up on the lyrics and music will help them feel more confident in the group setting of singing time.

11.  Don't take yourself too seriously.  If it stresses you out to let loose in front of the teachers, have your presidency arrange the room so that the teachers sit along the walls with the kids toward the middle.  That way, you look out and see only kids.  Dance with them.  Joke with them.  Take interest in them.  Compliment them.  If you make a mistake, acknowledge it and let them laugh at with you.  If they like you, they will respect you.  And if they respect you, they will participate.

Hopefully these ideas help!  And as always, feel free to share your thoughts and successes!

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Helpful Hint #5 - Keep Those Receipts!!

You've got to love tax season...

Congratulations to all of you who have already filed and are hopefully enjoying your refunds (or at least fitting the tax payments into your monthly budget!).

We finished up our taxes not too long ago, and as I was consulting with our tax guy he got to the charitable contributions part and asked if I spent any money on church callings in 2010.  (side note - I grew up in Oregon, and even after 10 years the Utah way of life still cracks me up - accountants asking about church callings?  hilarious.  but totally helpful.  read on...)

OF COURSE I HAVE!!! 

So we quickly went through my pile of receipts and found a few of the MANY charges that I made on behalf of my calling.  And they are tax deductible.  Gotta love the tax code.

Here's the clincher - if you turned in receipts to the Primary to be reimbursed, you can't claim the deduction.  But if you plan to keep all of the items you've invested in, you've got a write-off coming!  So get right on that for 2011, and keep those receipts! 

Now, as I work with contracts at my job all the time, I feel a pressing need to include a small disclaimer.  I am a wife and mother and medical biller and primary chorister and generally mediocre household manager.  I am not an accountant.  As you can see from my list of qualifications I've just provided you, I am not even claiming to be an accountant.  Your tax situation is unique, and you need to consult with your tax guy before you go writing off just anything.  Be smart.  OK?  Good luck, and happy spending!

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Printing Woes & A Few Items of Business

Hello all!  I've gotten dozens of emails in the past few days from people who were having trouble downloading/printing the files from my past posts.  To all of you - I'm really sorry!  I've worked with Scribd for a really long time with no trouble, but it's time to part ways.  I've uploaded and updated all of the links in the posts from the very beginning to Google Docs, so hopefully that should fix the problem.  I've tested all of the links and they seem to work now, but please email me at afprimarymusic@gmail.com if you continue to have problems. 

Also - some of the documents (like the 2011 schedule and the Sunday schedule) are not editable unless you have Publisher Pro Silver.  But I am more than happy to customize anything for you - just email me the changes that you need and I'll get it emailed back to you in the revised format.

And if there's an idea that you have or something you'd like me to create for you, please let me know!  I would love to share your ideas with the other choristers that read this blog!  I love to read your emails and find out what kids of things you're up to in primary.

I've received a few emails from readers (and a few requests from people I know!) who don't have printing abilities or time/supplies to create some of the visual aides that I have on this blog.  So I created an Etsy shop called LDS Primary Props where you can purchase the items already made and ready to go.  Of course, everything is available to print from this blog, but if you don't have time or you're just not the DIY type - that shop might be helpful to you.  So take a look if you're interested, otherwise just stick around here for the freebies!

So sorry for all of the confusion, and I hope you all continue to read this blog and the those of the many other wonderful primary choristers!

Enjoy your Sunday!

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Must Have...The Sunday Binder

Most of you probably have some way of keeping yourselves organized - and keeping primary junk things organized can be a real chore!  To eliminate the Sunday-morning-scramble to gather all of my things, I had to get everything together in a binder, cuz that's the kind of girl I am.  Here is how I've got my binder organized, and a few of the things that I feel are important to have at my fingertips!

The front sleeve is where I keep my Sunday Music Schedule, a visual reminder to actually fill it out each week!

In the front, I keep the weekly singing schedules and a copy of the current program for reference.

Tab #1:  Sheet Music

For all of the loose-leaf songs that I collect.  I always hole punch them so that the pages face each other, then I don't have to turn pages back and forth.

Tab #2:  Song Lists

Do you keep track of the songs your primary knows?  This list was so valuable to me when I was called as chorister, and I keep updating it as we learn more songs.  It's a great way to keep track of how long it's been since you've sung certain songs, so you remember to keep things fresh.

Tab #3:  Directories

First is the class list, with teachers, children, and classroom numbers.  Behind that is the directory for our primary workers, so I have their phone numbers and email addresses handy.  Behind that is a ward list.  You just never know when you'll need it!

Tab #4:  Primary Program

Here is where I keep a running list of the songs I'd like to have prepared for the program.  This way I can tweak things as the year goes on without doing a lot of searching (or remembering).  I also keep the program script here so I can follow along during the actual program.

Tab #5:  Schedule.  Ours changes sometimes, so I keep the current one here so I know where I need to be and when.

Tab #6:  Ideas

I write things down as I hear about them, read about them, or see them in other wards.  When I need to refer back, they're all together and not just stuck in piles on my desk.

Tab #7:  Meetings

For agendas, presidency meeting notes, and notes from training meetings.

Tab #8:  Teaching Tools

This is where I keep all of my oft-used visual aids.  Follow the Prophet, Do As I'm Doing, color sticks, Fun Ways to Sing...they're all in there plus more.  I don't have to remember to bring them, and they're there when I'm in a pinch with 5 minutes left in singing time.  Nothing like being prepared!

So that's that! Pretty simple!

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2011 Primary Chorister/Singing Time Schedule

I'm a little behind getting this posted, but in case any of you are still putting together your 2011 Singing Time schedule, here is the one that I came up with for my primary.  I didn't fill in every song on this version, since each ward will vary so much and knows so many different songs.  But it might help you get motivated to plan ahead!  It's at least helpful to have all of the months printed out for the front of your binder.  I will be doing a post about my binder soon, so you should all be excited about that! HaHa!

Here is the link for the 2011 Singing Time Schedule!  Enjoy!

PS - This file was created in Art Explosion Publisher Pro Silver, and cannot be edited unless you have that program.  However, as always, if you need it tweaked a little bit for your particular ward's schedule, just send me a comment and I'll do my best to accomodate :o)

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Helpful Hint #4

As I create visuals that help the kids learn their songs, I always try to write the words on the back.  When I do flipcharts, I think it's hard to have to crane my neck around to see the front, or hold the front page out a little bit so I can see what's written on the back.  So, I use my trusty full-sheet labels and print out the phrase that the page represents.  Then I cut the phrases out and stick the strip to the page at the back of the pile.  That way, as I flip the front page to the back, it has the next phrase written on it.  My stack stays neat and clean, and I can "cheat" whenever I want to!

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Helpful Hint #3

I actually got this tip from a close friend of mine that served as a chorister, but I thought I'd pass it on to you...

When doing reviews, I do a lot of drawing numbered items that correspond with a song.  I usually have 5 or 6 songs that I really want to get to, but inevitably they are NEVER the ones that get picked!  So we end up having a great time and not getting done what needed to get done. 

What she suggested was to continue to have numbers, but give your pianist a list of songs in the order that you want to work on them.  Then, no matter what number is drawn in the activity, the pianist just plays the next song on the list.  You get to accomplish everything, and the kids have no idea that you have ulterior motive!

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Outline for Primary Pianists

One thing that is so helpful during primary is an outline of all the songs you're working on so your pianist knows what to play!  This is especially important when doing review activities that have many songs involved.  To help with this, I created this outline for my amazing accompanist.  It has the songs in the order that we will sing them, including opening and closing, birthday, welcome, wiggle, reverent, and singing time.  There is a space for the page number, so she doesn't have to go searching for it.  On the back, there is extra space to outline exactly what the plan is for singing time.  If I mark "Introduce" for instance, she knows that we're going to do a lot of repetition on that one.  "The Songs" section on the back is for when I use review activities that have numbered songs.  It is a really quick and easy way to plan the day, and can be filled in with a wet- or dry-erase marker, whichever is easier for you.  A real time and sanity saver!

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Helpful Hint #2

Or maybe this is Helpful Hint #1, Part 2!  I was thinking about using my Beanbag Toss song review, and discovered that the label paper I used to print the song titles actually comes off fairly easily, with only a little bit of coaxing and patience.  Aha!  I can switch out the songs without having to create a whole new board!  And there you have it, folks.  Adaptable primary props.  Beautiful!
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Need Help!

A couple of years ago, my sister was called as the secretary in the primary.  She noticed during her roll rounds that there were a lot of kids in the hallways and teachers escorting kids to and from various places and not having a lot of quality time in the classroom.  She came up with the **brilliant** idea of making signs that could be laminated and kept in the roll folder that teachers could slide under the door when they needed something.  She called me, and we came up with these signs.  When she noticed a sign under the door, she was able to take a kid potty, grab extra chalk, take a child to the parents - whatever was needed in order for the teacher to be able to stay in the classroom and not disrupt the class. 

I know it's not exactly music stuff, but if your ward suffers from the hall problem, it might be helpful to you!

Here is the link to the signs that we made.  Can you think of any other reasons that a child would need to leave the classroom?  Let me know!

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Helpful Hint #1

Taking inspiration from this post at The Children Sing, I made a board like hers for a review activity.  The reason I wanted to post it is to share a hint that might be helpful to you as you make visual aids like this one.  I went to Amazon.com and found full sheet labels and printed all of my songs and pictures on those.  It was SO easy - no glue sticks, no spray adhesive (which I like for big things, but for small pieces it's a nightmare) - just peel and stick.  Anyway, I've used them in a lot of the visuals that I've made and found them to be a real time and effort saver.  Besides my laminator, they are the best investment I've made since getting this calling.  Hope that helps!

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