2012 Song Review Memory Game

Here is a quick review game that you can adapt for Junior and Senior primary.  Just print the pages you want (there are 3 options - song title, first letter of the words, and pictures).  Cut the pages in half, tape randomly on the board to create a memory game board.  Pick reverent children, divide into teams or classes, or do it however you do, have them come up and choose a paper, then try to find it's match.  When you get a match, sing the song!  Simple...

I only included the songs that are listed in the program outline.  There are a couple of "choose your own" months, and some of you may be learning additional songs.  If you want me to do another song, I'm very happy to help you - just send a comment or an email and I'll get it to you ASAP.  Don't feel bad asking...I really do want to help!!

Here is the download for the Outline Songs.

By request:
If the Savior Stood Beside Me & I Want to Live the Gospel
Jesus Once was a Little Child, He Sent His Son, Dare to Do Right
I Will Be Valiant, Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
I Feel My Savior's Love, Had I Been a Child
I'm Trying to be Like Jesus, I'll Follow Him in Faith, Beautiful Savior, Choose the Right Way
Let the Holy Spirit Guide
Keep the Commandments, I Want to Be a Missionary Now, My Heavenly Father Loves Me
We'll Bring The World His Truth
Reverence Is Love
I'll Walk With You, Every Star is Different
We are Children Holding Hands Around the World
A Child's Prayer, Love One Another, When He Comes Again

Have a great week!

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A Word on Memorization

I want to spend just a minute to talk about when it is appropriate for children to memorize a song.  Here it is, in the simplest way of explaining my own personal thoughts on the subject.

Primary Program = memorize everything with no flipcharts or posters.  Cue cards for Follow the Prophet may sometimes be appropriate if you're singing a lot of verses.

Every other performance, including Christmas program, Christmas parties, Mother's Day, Father's Day, random invitations for Sacrament Meeting performances, and other holidays = no need to memorize.  Have appropriate visual aids available.

Why? I have seen a couple of different primaries in the last few weeks, at church and at ward parties, with half of the children looking completely horrified and not singing because they don't remember the words to the song.  The other half were mumbling, with the exception of 3 or 4 kids who were singing their hearts out.  They had probably only spent a week or two learning the songs, and when the pressure was on, many of them forgot the words.  I felt so bad for them!  Singing songs for special occasions should be fun!

I know this may chap some hides out there, and if you are a stickler for memorization, I don't mean to offend. But I just want to let others know that it is okay to use flipcharts for songs that are literally sung once a year.  If the kids memorize the song, great!  But for those that missed a Sunday or need more than 20 minutes of singing time to memorize a song, it is sure confidence boosting to know what the words are.  Our job as choristers is to teach the gospel through music, teach the joy of singing, and help our little ones share their testimonies.  So let them enjoy performing!

OK, climbing down from the high horse now.  Have a great week!

P.S. don't hate me!
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Blobs

I remember working a primary several years ago where the chorister would introduce songs with flip charts or posters, and then use, for lack of a better term, "blobs" to make memorization a little bit more interesting.  They are simply posterboard cut into splat shapes.  I have yet to get mine laminated, which will help with the edges a lot.  Here is a picture of a poster with the blobs on top.  Sorry about the picture being sideways...


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