Top 10 RECORDS of 2011!!!

2 weeks ago, I passed out a sheet with the 8 2011 program songs and 2 favorite songs listed on it (10 songs total).  I gave this sheet to each teacher and asked them to have their class vote on their favorite song of 2011. 

I realize it's a liiiitle late for anyone else to do this-so you can just pick the songs you think they like the best :)

I'm going to put these records on the chalk board and we will sing the countdown #10 to #1.  If they are getting wiggly I will let them play hot and cold (hiding a paper music note).

Hopefully they will like it -and hopefully they will know what records are lol.

Good luck with your Sunday Singing Time.  Hang in there and here we go for another year!!!

Punch out the OLD and Sing in the NEW

This idea was posted earlier this year here and we thought it would be fun for bringing in the New Year!  You can put any songs you want to sing!!!  Happy New Year!!!

If you are looking for a different/eaiser idea, you could do a balloon pop singing time.... balloons are always fun.

Especially for the New Year... :)

As a Child of God

For those of you who still don't have a visual for As a Child God (January's song), here is one for you!!!

...and keep in mind this is my first time uploading a Word Document on blogger so I hope it works
(crossing fingers)

click here 

 or here?

let me know if it worked and I hope it can help someone!!!

Christmas around the World

Christmas is celebrated all around the world!!!  I did this singing time with my kids and they loved to hear all the different ways Christmas is celebrated in different countries.

So this is what I did.  I printed out different flags (off Google) and then wrote interesting facts about that country and how they celebrate Christmas on the back.  I let a child choose any flag they wanted and then we sang a Primary Christmas song.

Argentina.  People go to the church with family, then come back to a family gathering. At midnight after eating they toast, then the adults dance while younger people go out to see the fireworks. After this they go to sleep, but not before they open the presents under the Christmas tree. That day is very special for because they are Christian and celebrate Jesus' birth on the 24th of December.

Greece.  Christmas trees are not commonly used in Greece. In almost every home the main symbol of the season is a shallow wooden bowl with a piece of wire is suspended across the rim; from that hangs a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross

Japan. Their traditional Christmas meal is fried chicken

Latvia.  Claims the home to the very first Christmas tree in the year 1510

Mexico.  On Christmas day they are blindfolded and taken to try and break a decorated clay piñata that dangles and swings at the end of a rope.

Pakistan. Their merry Christmas getting is Bara Din Mubarrak

All country Christmas facts were found here

MeRRy ChRisTMaS to all you music leaders!!! Thanks so much for checking out iheartprimarymusic!!! and don't forget to look at the other posts from this week!  There is a *Nursery* Christmas post!

Ride the Donkey

Help Mary and Joseph get to Bethlehem!!!

Draw a game board pathway on the chalkboard that leads to Bethlehem.  Have a small picture of Mary and Joseph and move them to the first square.  Each square is a different song to sing. Tell your children to help Mary and Joseph get to Bethlehem by singing their best!!!

This is where our inspiration came from...

Nursery Chirstmas songs

For those of you who are lucky enough to do Nursery...  

in between Senior... and Junior... every week (cheesy smile)

yes, we know.  Jingle is spelled wrong...

Ring those Bells.
These bracelets are made from white pipe cleaners and small jingle bells (4 each).  Pass out the bracelets to each Nursery child and sing (to the tune of Jimmy Crack Corn):

Ring those bells and turn around,
Ring those bells and turn around,
Ring those bells and turn around for
Christmas time has come.

Substitute in for 'turn around':  stomp your feet, jump up high, clap your hands, etc.


Call Rudolph
(This is similar to 5 little monkeys jumping on the bed)

8 little reindeer pulling Santa's sled
One fell down and bumped his head
The elves called Santa and Santa said,
"Can 7 little reindeer pull my sled"?

7,6,5,4,3,2,..

1 little reindeer pulling Santa's sled
he fell down and bumped his head.
The elves called Santa and Santa said,
"Call Rudolph"!!!

This Little Reindeer
This is a finger play similar to This Little Piggy.

This little reindeer went shopping
This little reindeer stayed home
This little reindeer baked cookies
This little reindeer ate some
and this little reindeer called, "Merry Christmas all the way to your home"!!!

The Baby in the Manger (to the tune of The Wheels on the Bus)

The baby in the manger went waa-waa-waa
waa-waa-waa    waa-waa-waa
The baby in the manger went waa-waa-waa
All through the night.

Other verses:

His mother, Mary, went shhh shhh shhh

The cow in the manger went moo-moo-moo

The sheep in the manger went baa-baa-baa

The horse in the manger went neigh, neigh, neigh

The star in the sky went twinkle, twinkle, twinkle

The Shepard's in the field said, "Praise to His name"

The Wise men in the manger said, "Let's worship Him"

The hay on the ground went crunch, crunch, crunch

The angels in the manger said, "hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah"

All through the night!!!!

Simple Christmas singing times

 

Ornament Pick- Let children choose their favorite ornament from a basket.  Sing a song for each ornament. 

Assemble a Nativity- Have children choose a Nativity piece and place it under a stable.  You can read a scripture for each piece before you sing!  Or you can read the scripture and let them guess what piece goes with it!

Wacky Winter Hat- Choose a song to sing from a Santa hat.  Let children sing that song.  The class that sings the best gets to make their teacher wear a wacky winter hat.

Pass the Parcel.

Symbols of Christmas memory matching game.  


Christmas Picture.  Choose a Christmas picture and cut it in different pieces like a puzzle.  Let children assemble the picture as they sing.

Symbols of Christmas

Here's an easy idea for a Christmas Singing time... because let's face it; we don't have time every week to go "all out"  :)  So if this week you need something easy, this may be the perfect post for you!

Get pictures of the different symbols we use to celebrate Christmas and put them on the chalkboard.  On the back of each symbol, write the meaning of it.  Let a child choose one and read the meaning and sing a corresponding song! cake, right?



The Star:  A heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled long, long ages ago -shinning hope of mankind

 Red:  The first color of Christmas, symbolizing the Savior's sacrifice for all.

 The Candle (lights):  A mirror of starlight reflecting our thanks for the Star of Bethlehem

The Tree:  Evergreen-The second color of Christmas shows everlasting life.  The needles point heavenward

 The candy cane:  The shepherd's crook used to bring lambs back into the fold- a reminder that we are all our brother's keeper

 The wreath:  A symbol of the never ending eternal nature of love.. having no beginning and no end.

 The Bell:  Rings out to guide lost sheep back to the fold-signifying that all are precious in the eyes of God.

 

Gift Bow:  Tied as we should be tied together in bonds of goodwill forever.

 

The Sweetest Story Ever Told

For this Singing Time, children will be chosen to choose a candy that is set out on a table.  Each candy has a song to sing and a scripture to be read.  Each candy piece represents a part of the Christmas story.

Rocky Road: represents Joseph
When Joseph Went to Bethlehem
Luke 2:4-5

Sugar Babies: represents baby Jesus
Away in a Manger
Luke 2:7

Candy Cane: represents The Shepard's
The Shepard's Carol
Luke 2:8-9

Almond Joy: represents Angel
Hymn 203 Angels We Have Heard on High
Luke 2:10-12

Dove: represents Peace
Hymn 212 Far, Far Away
Luke 2:12-14

Smarties: represents The Wise Men
H210 With Wondering Awe
Matthew 2:1-2

Starburst: represents the Star
Stars Were Gleaming
Matthew 2:9-10

Reison: represents-Jesus is the REASON for the season!!!
I Wonder When He Comes Again
John 3:16

This is a great idea to have a little fun with candy, sing, read the scriptures, and feel the spirit!!!


Thanks for visiting I Heart Primary Music and feel free to comment with questions!
Don't forget to check out our other posts from this week!!!

The LIVE Christmas Tree

This could be a fun idea if you have the RIGHT helper ;) Such as one of the teachers, a priesthood leader, or the Primary President...

So choose a volunteer to be the "tree" and wrap them up with green crepe paper.
Pick children to decorate the "tree" with bows, candy canes, paper ornaments, etc. 
Sing a Christmas song for every decoration added.
Have fun!!!

This idea was found here

Not my Gumdrop Buttons!!!

Meet, Brother G. Bread:

-If he could speak, he would say, "Hi".
We picked him up at Joann's.  He was a kit that you assemble- so we thought this might be fun for Singing Time.  Take all the pieces off, except the face, and let the children assemble him.  Sing a Christmas song for every piece!!!

You can pass out a little handout with a gingerbread man and this short poem:

"Gingerbread is a Christmas treat.
Brown, sweet, and ready to eat"!!!

I *smile* the day they put the tree up!!!

(This Christmas tree idea was drawn on a white poster board and colored with markers)

So here's the instructions: 

WARNING:  they are extremely EASY :)

Put the tree on the chalk board (blue sticky tack or clipped to the top)
Let a reverent child choose an ornament to put on the tree.
Each ornament has a Christmas song on the back.


Easy?


...too easy?


If your primary is like mine (100+ and always wiggly), I have to have some other kind of activity to go along with them just singing.  So I found some Christmas singing cards from Primary Singing Time Ideas, who found them here.  Enjoy!

4 Corners

This is a fun Christmas adaption to the game 4 Corners!!!

In the 4 corners of the Primary room, put a picture of Jesus, the 3 Wise Men, Manger, and Mary.

Put only 1 picture in each corner.
Choose 4 children to stand at each corner.
The music leader randomly selects one of the 4 images from a bowl.
The child in that corner gets to choose the next Christmas song to sing (and then sits down and another child takes their place).

The children love to wait and see if their corner is selected!!! ...or not; and see how long they can stay in the game!!!


-iheartprimarymusic