Teaching children to sing is easy with this volume of visuals, activities, and awards. In just minutes children can learn to sing these songs that coordinate with the 2003 sharing time theme:
ΓÇ£I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.ΓÇ¥
This book may be used in both Primary and family home evening to help children learn to appreciate why they belong to the Church and to realize that through the gospel of Jesus Christ they can obtain eternal life, life with Heavenly Father and Jesus. The songs will help children desire to live the commandments and honor Jesus Christ through honoring their baptismal covenants. These songs will increase childrenΓÇÖs knowledge that they are children of God and look forward to being a part of GodΓÇÖs kingdom on earth and in heaven.
HOW TO USE SONGS AND VISUALS:
USING STARTER WORDS AND CODES:
Even Junior Primary children will feel confident as they sing along when you use these learning visuals. Those who canΓÇÖt read can view the pictures. For those who can read, on some songs, there are starter words to lead children into each verse. Example, in Song 2, ΓÇ£On a Golden SpringtimeΓÇ¥ the phrase ΓÇ£On a golden . . .ΓÇ¥ leads them into the next word (or phrase) . . . ΓÇ£springtimeΓÇ¥ (Activity Preview 1).
Cut out and mount the cue cards (Activity Preview 1) on the back of each matching visual. The cards show the page number, verse, and visual number of each visual, to keep them in sequential order. See ΓÇ£How to Read the CodesΓÇ¥ below. This will help the singing leader, parent, or older children know the words for each visual they are holding for the others to see.
How to Read the Codes:
┬╖ Song 2, example shown above reads: CS 88-1-1. This means ChildrenΓÇÖs Songbook, page 88, verse 1, visual 1. The next code CS 88-1-2 is verse 1, visual 2. If more numbers follow (Activity Preview 1), they indicate the visual is to be shown a second and third time at the beginning of each verse.
┬╖ On the song(s) that have a chorus you will find a ΓÇ£CΓÇ¥ after the page number, e.g., CS 2-C-1 on page 24.
ANOTHER WAY TO SHOW VISUALS:
Cut out the visual (Activity Preview 2), cutting on the dotted lines, leaving off the background portions and words to mount on an object, e.g., a straw or a wooden craft stick.
WAYS TO SHOW VISUALS:
You can display the visuals in different ways to create variety, interest, and participation. We suggest that all visuals be laminated for durability. Here are some fun ways to present the visuals:
┬╖ PLACE ON STRAWS OR STICKS (Activity Preview 3): Tape a straw, or tongue depressor, or popsickle stick to the back of each visual as a holder. When doing this, make sure the coding cue cards (words and code numbers) are glued to the top back of each visual. Children may be chosen to come to the front and hold the visuals as the Primary sings the song. This method is best when using ONLY the picture (cutting out the background and words), as the 8 ┬╜" x 11" sheet is too large and will be floppy unless reinforced.
┬╖ POSTERS (Activity Preview 4): Display the visuals on a poster or cardboard. As you teach the song, and as children appear ready, remove a few of the visuals to test their memory, or mix up the order of the visuals.
┬╖ STRING OF PICTURES (Activity Preview 5): Use visuals to choose songs to sing. Put one visual from each song in a bag and have a child draw from the bag. Children can try to guess the song from the visual and then sing it.
┬╖ HIDE VISUALS:
1. Tape visual to the bottom of childrenΓÇÖs chair or hidden in the room. Ask one class at a time to find the hidden visual(s).
2. Children can help you hide the visuals. When the child comes back in, children can say, ΓÇ£warm, warmer, hotΓÇ¥ as the seeker gets closer to the visual, or ΓÇ£cold, colder, freezingΓÇ¥ as he or she gets further away from the visual.
Activities to Motivate Singing Fun!
Necktie Singing Meter:
(Activity Preview 6) Ahead of time, provide the bishop with an old tie to wear as he visits singing time. Tell children that depending on how well they sing, they can cut an inch or more off the bishopΓÇÖs tie. Children really get involved and sing well for this activity. Cut the tie clear up to the knot. Then, in front of the children, ask the bishop to wear the tie to the rest of the meetings, telling others how well the children sang.
There are more "Activities to Motivate Singing Fun!" in lessons 8-13.
