Double the Dice cut and paste

This half hour's cut and paste (for I will post another one as soon as I am done with this one) is from Notes from a Novice Primary Music Leader: Double the Dice!! She writes:

For our review , I am doubling the dice.  I printed a set of cards with the names of program songs for the year and will attach them to one of my "Ways to Sing" dice.  We'll have the kids take turn rolling both a song and a way to sing.  Easy and definitely reuseable!

Now ------
I have found fabuloso graphics from Susan Fitch designs. They are beautiful but the format they are in is a little different - when you paste the image, the image is in the right hand side and to the left of it there is quite a bit of blank space. So when I enlarged all these images, it looks kind of weird - I had to rotate to get the image in the left hand top side - so the image might be upside down or sideways, but when you cut it out, that won't be a problem.
Remember - all graphics except for "Can a Little Child like Me" and "I Know My Father Lives" are all by Susan Fitch (mine are lame, but what can you do - I picked very rare choices)

Large Song Graphics for Singing Dice

Subway Art from Sunbeam Singing

Sunbeam Singing has posted some fabulous Subway Art Posters for songs from the song book! I am so excited I can hardly breathe properly!

So I have taken these awesome works of art and reduced them to distribution size! I have a small primary, so my goal is to give the ring cards to the senior (about 7 kids) and the albums to the junior kids (about 9 kids). I haven't talked to the president yet, but I am really excited

Subway Art Songs Small by Laura Henckel

Subway Art Songs Picture Album Size by Laura Henckel

I am not actually doing "Golden Plates" this year, but it is so adorably cute, I couldn't resist. And so far she has these two (and I know for a FACT I could not duplicate this awesomeness on my own for different songs), so I'm printing them up anyway!

I Know My Father Lives

For April, the Sharing Time Outline has asked Primary Music Leaders to select a song from the  Children's Song Book. In December (or whenever it was; that was a LONG time ago) I went searching for my songs (as May is the same way). I decided to find songs that went with the yearly theme: I am a Child of God. So I looked up "Child of God" in the topic section. That led me to the "Worth of a a Child" section. That section has 19 songs. I chose "I Know My Father Lives" - because I feel it is a classic that doesn't get sung enough and very simple and beautiful - and "Can a Little Child Like Me" (more on that one later). And after perusing blogland - I think I am the only one that did that. It seems like many people based their choices on the theme for the month (a very popular choice for April being "The Priesthood is Restored" but we just sang that in 2011, so I wanted to find something different).
So I hope I am not wrong in my choice - and this may help absolutely no one else since I am the only one to pick this song but here it goes anyway.
So Sugardoodle (the best site just about ever, by the way) has a page for this song on the Primary Song Index .
First it talks about the author/composer: "About the composer - Reid Nibley: Brother Nibley, a concert pianist and BYU faculty member, was asked to write a song about testimony. He wrote quickly because the words and music came at the same time. “I Know My Father Lives” was very simple, so Brother Nibley began adding notes. It became more and more complicated, so he erased all the unnecessary notes. When he finished erasing, the song was just as it had been written the first time!  (Taken from "Fun with Favorites" from the October 1985 Friend Magazine)"

Then, there is a link to a page at Christy's Clip art that doesn't seem to work for me, but I went to the site itself and found this idea "VERY EASY!  Simply type out the following words[KNOW, LIVES, LOVES, SPIRIT, TRUE] {SENT, EARTH, FAITH, PLAN, I CAN} (two to a page, landscape) on the computer in a font that you like and print.  As you go through the song, show the words.  I would have the stack and toss the words as I came to them. "
Then, I will have the kids come back up and place them in order on the board.
And I don't normally do flip charts, but I may print up Jolly Jen's almost solely because it is only two pages (you know, and for its super cuteness)

April Planning

(image from 4shared)

For me, April will absolutely FLY by! First week, is of course, General Conference. And for our stake, the following week is Stake Conference.

Consequently my plan will be short. But before I realized Stake Conference was the second week of April, I did plan a song, so I just left it on my page.

The third week I plan on introducing the song I have picked for April - I Know My Father Lives. And the next week will be a memory review game where I will put names of songs on the back of memory game tiles that I plan to print up

And again, this fabulous calendar template was made by Sunbeam Singing

APRIL Planning by Laura Henckel

If The Savior Stood Beside Me posters

I am posting this extremely late, but I'm doing it anyway, because I am terribly vain and almost sinfully proud of my posters.

Way back in January, I found posters from Because I have been Given Much. On the post, the author talked about Costco and how, apparently, you can take a document and or file to Costco and they will print it out in poster size. I have also seen that this is quite ridiculously cheap. So for those who have a Costco near them -- that's great.

I am not one of those people. The closest one is about 60 miles away.

So plan B - ask local library if they have an opaque projector. And they did!!!!!!! (For those of you old enough - like me - to remember what opaque projectors are you can skip this part - but an opaque projector is an unbelievably heavy bulky object that you can put a page into and it will project it onto the wall many times the original size - kind of like an overhead projector, but the item being projected can be on plain paper - or in a book {this was obviously way before just converting items into digital form and making a power point presentation out of it})

AND they even let me check it out!!!! So I took every day available to wait around until I hurried up at the last minute and made this poster.

I'm not going to say it was easy - because it wasn't. I also used foam board instead of poster board and there is a size discrepancy that is made very obvious with the projector. But I muddled through the focus issues and then cut out the pictures from the one I printed, enlarged them (found that 265% was the best size - through trial and error as you can see the top pic is a bit small) and glued them into their corresponding places.

So the rationalization for this post and showing off my poster - I did this for all verses and it was great. They look great and are on that sturdy foam board and I can store them at church and believe I will be using them later.

But I am afraid that using these posters to teach the song was not the best idea. The kids who can read just read it and the kids who can't really were lost today when we started going over it again (probably because I took a "break" for St. Patrick's day). So when I taught it today, I feel things went quite better. But I only got through the first verse and didn't have time for my game of filling in the words with senior, but I guess I have a filler activity already prepared. (Like I would ever have time for a filler, but maybe I can use it in the summer for review.)

If the Savior Stood Beside Me Mashup

So, I had decided much, much earlier that I was going to do a scratch off word guessing activity that I was actually quite excited about. But I realized that we just didn't know it well enough to do that.

I was kind of scratching my head as to how to really teach the words. Our first week we just kind of glanced over the song and even though we had fun, I left feeling like they didn't really learn it. I went searching for ways to teach.

And there are LOTS of posts on this song.

Here is what I came up with: Primary Notes 29 had a number of posts on ITSSBM, but this post about a cute Easter egg idea had at the very bottom a link to a document that had this idea(that I have altered a bit):
I made 8 (4 for each verse) pieces of paper with large question marks on them (I printed up 1 question mark, cut it out, glued it onto one of my 8 pieces of paper. I then took the paper that I cut the question mark out of and used it as my template to paint question marks on the remaining 7 pieces of paper - because I am cheap and hoard my ink.)

Ask the children to count the number of times you sing about the Savior standing beside you.  Sing the 1st verse and get their answers (2 times).

Point out that the first time you sang it was at the beginning of the song and the 2nd time you

sang it was at the end of the song.

Put a picture of the Savior at the far left side of the chalkboard and a picture of the Savior at the far right side of the chalkboard.

Tell them that in between these two pictures the song asks us questions. Each question starts with

“Would I”. Ask them to listen for how many times you sing “would I”. Sing the verse and get their

answers (4 times).

Post on chalkboard in between the pictures of Jesus 4 papers that have one large question mark

on each of them.

There are 4 questions between the two times we talk about the Savior standing next to us.

At this point, I printed up the OCD Primary Chorister's pictures for verses one and two. I put magnet strips on the back of the question marks and on the back of the pictures.We will talk about each question that corresponds with the pictures. I also printed up these word strips from teachldschildren.com and will use them instead of the pictures for senior primary, but for junior primary, I may still post the words underneath the picture/question mark. And then we will repeat with verse two. Then, if I have time, I will either mix up the pictures and have the kids place them in the right spot or go over which phrase goes with which picture.

I will do the same thing with senior, but if I have time, I am going to do a different kind of game.

I took each verse and printed it up. I divided each verse into two parts. I then picked six key words from each verse.  Then I created a document with blanks for the words and made the blanks for the key words red (I also sized the blanks according to word size: a six letter word would be 6 underline characters). I put those papers (4 in all) in page protectors. I will ask a child to roll a die and then write that many words on the red blanks with a dry erase marker. 

If the Savior Stood Beside Me Game Sheet for Teacher by Laura Henckel

If the Savior Stood Beside Me Word Game by Laura Henckel

Super Idea for My Heavenly Father Loves Me

Probably won't do this (simply because I have run out of time), but I sure don't want to forget it:

Hum your favorite Hymn has a great idea for My Heavenly Father Love Me

It took me a few minutes to get the whole map/globe association, but this is a great idea, and I LOVE the words and other song associations that she picked.

It's hard for me to explain, so just go read the post, you'll love it!

If the Savior Stood Beside Me activity from the Friend

Boo
stinking
Yah
is all I can say.
So I JUST posted a post saying that I need to use the Friend more. Then I find THIS. Oh WOW. 

So, five years ago, this song was learned in primary as well. I'll probably use this diorama if the fabulous ladies in the primary presidency don't have the same idea. I'm going to use this for the last week in March (and may bring a game, just in case someone does have the same idea)

Introducing My Heavenly Father Loves Me

image from azbax.blogspot.com

Well, here is a post for the first week of February! I wasn't sure I would get around to it and then I found this on Singing a Song is Fun to do, so basically all I had to do was cut and paste!:

When I've taught this song in the past I've used objects. See the list below. There are a couple of ways to do this.

1) Put the objects on a table. Sing the first line, have the kids repeat. Choose a child to pick the object that goes with that phrase and stand in line at the front of the room. Continue with the next line. This is great for Junior Primary.

2) Just start singing and handing out the objects as you go. Do the first four lines and then have the children sing with you and the kids holding the objects try to get themselves in order at the front of the room. Sing it again to see if they got it right. Then do the same for the rest of the verse. This is geared more toward Senior Primary.

Whenever I hear the song of a bird             stuffed animal bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,                       blue fabric that can be waved above the head {I'll actually  use the clip art at the top of this post}
Whenever I feel the rain on my face            small spray bottle set on mist
Or the wind as it rushes by,                         hand fan {using my airbed pump}
Whenever I touch a velvet rose                   fake rose {might actually spring for a real rose - nothing compares to that velvety feeling of a live one}
Or walk by our lilac tree,                            fake lilac branch or just a branch  
I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world  small globe
Heav’nly Father created for me.                child pointing to himself

He gave me my eyes that I might see          glasses or child pointing to their eyes
The color of butterfly wings.                       toy butterfly
He gave me my ears that I might hear        child pointing to their ears
The magical sound of things.                      small bell or instrument
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:     mirror
I thank him rev’rently                                 child folding arms as if praying {i'll look for clipart: praying lds clipart}
For all his creations, of which I’m a part.  clear container filled with small toy animals, fruit, plants, etc.
Yes, I know Heav’nly Father loves me.       paper or stuffed heart

Now, I just have to find all that stuff.

My Heavenly Father Loves Me Third week presentation

For my third week of February, I will be using the OCD Primary Chorister's FABULOUS visuals. I have obtained her permission and made a pdf of the document I plan on printing. I'm going to laminate her absolutely gorgeous pictures, tape the question for each pic to the back, then cover with the hearts. I put them on a separate page so that one can print multiple copies of that page to make all the hearts (I will also be using the very same hearts for the "Name that Primary Song about love activity - yay for multiple uses!!!) I got the hearts via google from bestclipartblog.com.(didn't get permission from here because 1. I am lazy 2. Couldn't get actual site to load, just copied straight from google image search results) 
All the pictures will be placed heart side out, child will pick, remove heart, answer question, then place back on board picture side up. I may mix them up and make child pick correct placement for senior primary.

Visuals for My Heavenly Father loves me by Laura Henckel

My Poster Puzzles!

Another super THANK YOU!!!! to Primary Notes 29 for posting this awesome idea to make I am a Child of God Poster Puzzle kids that represent each verse.
I made them, got them laminated (at my local library for $5.50!!! - which I think is rock awesome let me know if you think otherwise) and got them cut out before Thursday night!!! I can't believe I am on such a roll! This planning in advance thing actually works! Wow!

Happy last week of I am A Child of God!

More I am a child of God Review

(Clip art from imageenvision.com) I COMPLETELY forgot my senior singing time on Sunday. So we went with the treasure idea I thought was a bit too young for them. So since it was my only option, I made it work.

So next week, I thought of using my idea for the third week, but then I found the Children of God puzzle poster displays from Primary Notes 29 and I think (even though this is RATHER ambitious) that I will do this, because I think these visuals will really help retention (which I need as well since I was getting the 2nd and 3rd verses mixed up)
So I will keep my fingers crossed that I will actually FOLLOW THROUGH. (I STILL haven't made my nursery bag)

(Image from Primary Notes 29)

February Schedule

Clip art from Systemaxonline.com

Here is my plan for February:

Singing Time Schedule

February 2013

February 3rd:

Reverence song:  The World is So Big p. 235

Birthday song:  Have a Very Happy Birthday! (2nd verse) p. 284

Welcome song:  Hello Friends! p. 254

Article of Faith song: The Sixth Article of Faith p.125

Singing Time:  Introducing My Heavenly Father Loves Me p.228 using these ideas from Sugardoodle:
We had fun reviewing "My Heavenly Father Loves Me". I had objects or pictures for each line. The children's favorites were "....I feel the rain on my face..." - a spray bottle sprayed up in the air so the drops fall on your face and "...the wind as it rushes by..." - a balloon pump to pump air as you run across the front of the room. It's fun to involve more of the senses, and it's also hard to find a good visual for the wind!!  (Idea by Elaine in California)

I taught this a few years ago, and had good success. What I did was have the children make the visuals. I sang the song as I walked slowly around the room, and I handed each class a 11x17" piece of cardstock (and crayons) as I sang the line that their class would draw the picture for. Each line in this song can be easily drawn. I think I gave "Or look at the blue, blue sky" to the sunbeams...... Then one child from each class would come up and tell us what their line was, and hold the visual as we sang. They loved it. I think I still have the adorable pictures they drew! (Idea by Cyndy Young)

February 10th:

Reverence song:  All Things Bright and Beautiful p. 231

Birthday song:  Have a Very Happy Birthday! (2nd verse) p. 284

Welcome song:  Hello Friends! p. 254

Article of Faith song: The Sixth Article of Faith p.126

Singing Time:  Name ThatPrimary Song About Love from Camille's Primary Ideas

February 17^th:

Reverence song:  God is Watching Over All p. 229

Birthday song:  Have a Very Happy Birthday! (2nd verse) p. 284

Welcome song:  Hello Friends! p. 254

Article of Faith song: The Sixth Article of Faith p.125

Singing Time:  Review My Heavenly Father Loves Me p.228

February 24th:

Reverence song: The World is So Lovely p. 233

Birthday song:  Have a Very Happy Birthday! (2nd verse) p. 284

Welcome song:  Hello Friends! p. 254

Article of Faith song: The Sixth Article of Faith p.125

Singing Time: Using the Singing Wheel (I hope!!! As I still have to make it)

                       

 

Treasure Pictures

I have printed up the flip chart for I am a Child of God and I am ready to go for Senior. Now I just have to print up these pictures and cut and paste the "treasure" to one side and the coins to the other side {credits include but are not limited to: coins family scriptures, most others on primaryclipart.com and the smiley face and treasure box I googled, couldn't really find a good source} and I went cheeseball and just slapped up a big treasure chest rather than making one.

Treasure Pictures by Laura Henckel

Practicing I am A Child of God

This is image is from JennySmith.com

 

So this coming Sunday, I do plan on doing a completely different Junior and Senior primary. And both ideas are completely stolen from other fantastic choristers.

Junior: Totally thefting the treasure idea from the Chorister's Corner. I think I may even use the very same clipart. May post a pdf when I do. I don't have a treasure box, but may print a large one (or even make one out of construction paper) and just use magnets on the white board. I might even find some big coins, put the "treasure" listed in her photo and have the kids come and flip them over.

Senior: I am using this flip chart from In the Leafy Treetops and will mix them up and have10 blank places drawn on the white board: 

1. _________        __________

2. _________        __________

3. _________        __________

4. _________        __________  

Chorus: _________        __________and let them come up, pick a page and then place. (With no correcting! )And we'll sing it just like they placed it and then correct it and sing.

2013 Schedule

So, it is REALLY time for me to start thinking about 2013. I found the 2013 outline for Sharing time and here is the list they provided: 

Song Title	MP3 Music Only	MP3 Music and Voice
“I Am a Child of God” (Children's Songbook, 2–3) (Jan)
“My Heavenly Father Loves Me” (Children's Songbook, 228–29) (Feb)
“When I Am Baptized” (Children's Songbook, 103) (Jun)
“Families Can Be Together Forever” (Children's Songbook, 188) (Jul)
“A Child’s Prayer” (Children's Songbook, 12–13) (Aug)
“If the Savior Stood Beside Me” (2013 Outline for Sharing Time, 28) (Mar)

and wow, all I had to do was copy and paste and now all you have to do is click those little icons and it will bring up the MP3 (super amazing this interwebs thing - I just can't say it enough)
Not quite sure why they are out of chronological order, but it's okay.
For April and May it says "Song of your choice from the Children's Songbook"
So I went looking for song suggestions and found the "Worth of a Child" topic list for the Children's Songbook and I am really liking these
Can a Little Child like Me? (#9)
I Know My Father Lives (#5)
I Will Follow God's Plan (#164)
I Am like a Star (#163)

I have never really sang "Can a Little Child Like Me?" before and I just clicked it and it is beautiful so it will definitely be my May song and I don't think we sing "I Know My Father Lives" enough, so it will be April. I don't know if we'll be able to fit the last two in our sacrament program, but they are nice and peppy, so we will see