So i got called to be the Primary Chorister, and now I need advice. I need ideas. I can sing, I can lead, but I need ideas on how to keep the kids entertained. Singing time I think is the longest part of primary and I get to do a one man show! I think it'll be fun, but I need ideas. If you have any, please send them my way. Any websites are helpful, or any activities to help learn the songs. Thanks!
Monday, April 28, 2008
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First of all, I have had this calling twice & LOVED it. Like you, I was overwhelmed at first & then my mind started thinking like a primary chorister. This is such an important calling. I was told that the primary chorister is like the gospel doctrine teacher for kids. Once I had that in mind I felt like I was doing something important for these special youth. YEA ANGEL! Make sure that you bear your testimony often about what the messages in the songs are about & you will be a powerful influence in their lives! Just about every gospel principle is in a primary song. Don't underestimate your position. You are going to be fabulous!
Thanks Jeni, please send me some ideas via email, k? Thanks so much, I am excited!
By the way, no one has to agree, but my suggestion for most callings: stay away from most outside resources. Rely on the pure word of God and His inspiration to you. Spend time on your knees instead of searching for other people's ideas. I know this is a hard pill to swallow when you are brand new & maybe a few starter ideas are good, but you will be most powerful with God as your teacher. The spirit will be strong in your heart and you will have no problem capturing the kids' attention; especially when testifying. Make sure to point out when the spirit is strong.
One helpful hint: When it is too noisy, quietly say something like: "If you can hear me touch your ears. If you can hear me fold your arms." etc. That way it is a game & usually quickly restores order.
I second Jeni's comments. Also the church website has great info. Go to www.lds.org, mouse over -serving in the church- and click on primary, on the left click on Sunday Primary. Then the 5th link down near the middle of the page says -music- click on that. ALL of those links I found extremely helpful. I resourced that when subbing. Also, about.com has good art work to print if you need to teach a song. Hope that helps.
I have had this twice also and loved it. One of the best ways I found to teach songs was to make posters with pictures for the different words. For example, love would be a heart, temple would have a picture of the temple, etc. Sometimes you have to be creative but I found the kids LOVED those and it really helped them learn. Check the handbook though - someone said something about the types of pictures they are supposed to use.
The other thing kids love to do is sing in different styles. We had posters for different styles and kids could choose a style. This helps when you need to sing a song over and over so they can get it down. We used Opera style, cowboy style, robot style, whisper, and I don't remember what else. You could come up with some different styles. I also ditto what Jeni said. :)
There are books made specifically each year for the songs for that year. I think it is by the Fitch Family (you can get them from Deseret Book.) They have ideas and such for teaching the specific songs. There is also another book that has ideas for EVERY song in the children's song book. I like both. Call or email me if you have more questions.
That is awesome Angel! You will do great at it! A couple suggestions are put all of the kids names on sticks and draw out their names to help and choose a song. Do a few pictures so you can sing loud, soft, and medium. Pictures are always good. Play hide and seek with something and then sing louder as the child that is searching for the item gets closer. Actions and pictures really work great. I hope that helps! We love and miss you!
Angel! I suggest lots of resources, because when I get the inspiration to do something and I don't have the pics to do it I get VERY frustrated. You will need the gospel picture packet (distribution) and then I would suggest as many primary books that may apply that are sold by Deseret Book. They couldn't sell it if you couldn't use it. Call me and I will spring for those. General pictures like a flower or a heart from clip art will work, print it on card stock to help it hold up. Keep a file for each topic or song. You'll need to either be organized or devote a room to it.
Flannel board pics are good too - someone has my old flannel board box covered in a checked white contact paper. Who has it?
I think it is important to not do strait singing or learning songs but to teach what the songs mean. What is "scenes by the wayside" and who wrote words like that for kids to sing?
The "choosing" is the hard one in my book. Everyone wants to be called on - so sticks or a chart of some kind is helpful. When I last did sharing time I handed the papers to the teachers and they picked within their classes. You can also do it by class...the sunbeams one week, CTR 4 the next.
Be sure to give the pianist the heads up on what you may be singing each week, it's embarrassing if you can't play it:)
You are the luckiest! I truly think that Primary Chorister is the best calling in the church. It took me a whole year to figure this one out, but the biggest help to me was the Yahoo group Primusic. Sign up--it's a lifesaver. It's great because everyone in the church is learning the same songs each month (and even week for that matter). You can all share and get ideas from each other, week by week. One of the best websites is sugardoodle.net. Also check out theideadoor.com and christysclipart.com. You will be awesome and the kids will love you. Good luck! Cute blog, by the way.
Holy Cow Holly! Great links! You're a lifesaver! Thank you everyone who offered ideas and thoughts, VERY Helpful! I guess I'll do okay now :) :)
Wow, Ang! What a great calling for you! I had this one for 9 months and it was challenging and really made me stretch and grow. It was so wonderful to fall in love with all those primary kids! When they see you in the hall, they run up to you and hug you and tell you just how much they love you! It's AWESOME!!! You will be so great at it, Sweetie!
Just a couple more helpful websites with ideas. www.laytonmusic.com/primary.htm
http://members.aol.com/jollyjenn/singing_time.html
http://www.primarytogo.com/pages/music2008.php
One thing our chorister did was bring in clear drinking glasses, each half full. She also had magic powders (Kool-Aid). She'd choose kids from the audience and they'd choose a magic powder to pour into one of the glasses and whoever was wearing the color that water turned, would stand up to sing. The kids loved it!
You'll do great with this calling!
Try checking out www.sugardoodle.net. They have a tab just primary music leader. Lots of good ideas!
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