Faith (song from the Children's Songbook)

I was released as Primary Music Leader several years ago, but I still see posts on the Facebook page and noticed that many of the songs I taught are back again.  So I looked through the list and decided that I should post the flipcharts that I made those years ago so new leaders can use them an not "re-invent the wheel" as one commenter put it.

The song "Faith" on page 96 of the Children's Songbook is on the list for April (2023) so I pulled out my flipchart for it.  As I looked at it, I realized that I had forgotten many of words, especially since my flipchart has very few words to help me. Then I remembered that I there were many children in Junior Primary, most of whom did not yet read.  So I set out to make a flipchart with few words and mostly pictures that would help them remember the words I taught them to sing.  I also was trying to have as few pages as possible to save on ink and page turning.  I only put "Faith is knowing" once on each page because it is repeated for the second line again so I would just point to the same words and the kids knew even those that couldn't read that we were repeating the same words.  

What I don't have anymore, because I left it in the Primary closet for future leaders, is a poster I made where I had a sun that started at the bottom of the poster on a string that went to the top and through the poster to the back where I could pull it and show the sun rising.  Same thing with a seedling accordion folded at the bottom that would "grow" as I pulled the string.  Kids loved coming up to be the helper who got to pull the strings!  I don't remember the rest of the poster and unfortunately it is no longer in the closet.

I love teaching this song to children because the gospel principles are so important and the imagery is powerful and memorable.

You can find my flipchart here:  Faith (few words, 2 pages)

He Sent His Son

I love the way this song asks a question and then gives the answer.  In fact, once while we were practicing I had the kids sing the question parts and the teachers and leaders sing the answer parts just to help them hear and understand more clearly.

One year we were even asked to have the children sing it for the Ward Christmas program which I thought was very appropriate.  In my opinion, this song always brings a strong Spirit and the children can even feel it when you point it out to them.

You can find my flipchart here:  He Sent His Son

I Will Follow God's Plan for Me

When I started out to teach this song to my primary, most of which were in Junior Primary, I tried to come up with a way to engage the littles and help them understand and identify with the words of the song.  I decided to use physical objects and put them all in a pre-wrapped gift box with a wrapped lid that we could easily open to display all the items.  I had the gift in the center of a small table and had all the kids stand around it as we chose items to match the words in the song. 

The last page of my flipchart is "God's Plan for Me" which I printed out used to discuss the milestones of the plan had them raise their hand if they had done the milestone.  Of course all of them could raise their hand on the first two signs or milestones, some of them could raise their hands on being baptized and adults could raise their hands on the others.

I rolled up "the plan" into a scroll with a rubber band around it and put it in the box. Other items I had in my gift box were two squishy balls (one was a smiley face for "happy" and one was a globe for "earth"), a small laminated picture of heaven (like in the flipchart), a flashlight for "God's light", a baby doll, a very small set of scriptures, a beanbag heart, a spade (you could also use a wash cloth or something else representing "work"), a pair of Barbie shoes, and a little toy house.  I also had from a previous song on prayer a little pyramid with pictures of children and Jesus praying on it (pictured below, I printed it on cardstock and covered it with packing tape so they wouldn't smudge).  You could also use a small framed picture of someone praying or something like that. 

As we sang the song, the child holding the item that matched the words would hold it up high, they ended up jumping when it was their turn.  After each verse, the kids with an item would give it to someone who hadn't had an item before to hold for the next time through.  After a few times through the song and each child had been able to hold an item, I had them put their item in the gift box for the last time through.  Many repetitions were very easy to get this way.

The flipchart doesn't have all the words, but has pictures to represent the words which helped them remember easily without lots of pages.

You can find my flipchart here:  I Will Follow God's Plan for Me

A Child's Prayer

When I started teaching primary music many years ago, I was genuinely surprised at how much the children loved the song "A Child's Prayer." I had not learned it growing up (of course I grew up way before the Children's Songbook came out) and so was unfamiliar with it.

A few years later when I started to teach it as part of the program that year, I didn't really love the pictures the previous chorister had used, so I made up my own flipchart.  It was fairly easy to teach since most of the older kids already knew it, but I wanted the littles to be able to learn it and have helps to sing along.

I made the second part just one page with fewer pictures since that is the part we have the adults in the room sing.

You can find my flipchart here:  A Child's Prayer

Jesus Once Was a Little Child

This is a song I remember well from my childhood and I think every child should be taught, especially the second verse.  At first I was worried about some of the words, especially "vexed" since they are not common anymore, but the kids really got them after a little discussion and especially loved saying vexed!

It's such a fun way to teach children especially important principles - Jesus was a child like me so he understands me, a little child should be pure & meek & mild, even children can learn not to get mad when things don't go our way, telling the truth is important.

I worked hard to find just the right pictures for this one, pictures that the children would identify with and would quickly and easily portray these principles - especially "vexed."

You can find my flipchart here:  Jesus Once Was a Little Child

Pioneer Day Singing Time

A couple of years in Primary I did a Pioneer Day of singing. There was a bit of prep before hand, but the results were fantastic.  

Days before I got a big box large enough for a sunbeam and drew wheels on it with marker - this would be our "wagon" (or you could just use a wagon if you have one, but the kids loved pushing a child around in the box).  I collected sticks to make a "campfire" with and brought a blue blanket to be a "river."  I also got some paper cups and some pieces of paper that we wadded up into balls for a pioneer game of toss and catch.  Then I made a few pioneer button spinners (you can find lots of examples online).  I also prepared some snacks, I chose dried apple slices and pretzel sticks.

Following is my plan with dialog and songs to sing.  I planned out which corner to do each section in and placed my objects around the room accordingly.  The kids know about half of the songs which helps them not feel too uncomfortable when we sing the songs they don't really know.  You can play the songs from the Church music app if that helps.

The kids had a lot of fun and remembered the activity for years!  It also helped them be interested in Pioneer stories of their own.  I told them to go home and ask their parents if they have any pioneer ancestors and to ask them to tell their stories.

You can find my Singing Plan here:  Pioneer Day Singing Time

Praise to the Man (vs. 1-3)

Several years ago I taught the primary children "Praise to the Man" verses 1 & 3. I was a little nervous that the words would be too hard or that they wouldn't understand.  I'm not sure how much they really understood all the words, but THEY LOVED IT!  

With a little explanation of some of the words and phrases, they were able to learn the words, we kept the tempo upbeat and the kids really enjoyed singing this song.

You can find my flipchart here:  Praise to the Man 

Dearest Mother, I Love You

Here's a sweet little song for Mother's Day which is quick to teach and easy for the kids to learn: "Dearest Mother, I Love You" (page 206b of the Children's Songbook).  It also lends itself to very well to easy hand movements if you want to do that.  Practice for a couple of minutes each week for three weeks before Mother's Day and you are probably good to go.

It makes me sad that some leaders don't want to teach Mother's Day songs in case some child doesn't have a living mother, or their mother is not "kind and true" or for whatever other reason.  I feel that we should be teaching children what the ideal of motherhood is, so that if their situation isn't currently ideal, they have something to strive for in their own life.  They may also see and appreciate these qualities in some "mothering" person in their life whether it is an aunt, grandma, teacher or neighbor.

Please don't deprive mothers or other mothering person the wonderful opportunity of seeing their little precious one singing in church on Mother's Day.  If they don't ask you to have your Primary sing, please ask them.

You can find my flipchart here, complete with sample signs you can use:  Dearest Mother, I Love You

Star Bright (Estrella de Luz) sheet music with Guitar Chords by Lorin F. Wheelwright

Christmas music is my favorite kind of music to teach children and adults alike.  One of the first Christmas songs that I remember singing a harmony part with my mother was Star Bright (or Estrella de Luz) by Lorin F. Wheelwright, a beautiful song with 2 part harmony and verses in Spanish as well as English.  Not only that, but she played it on her guitar which made it even more wonderful.

I found the sheet music for Star Bright published in the LDS Instructor Magazine in October 1959.  The online copy I found is so discolored that I decided to fix it with my photo editing software and I added the guitar chords to it.  No flipchart for this one, I just wanted a place to share this copy of the sheet music for anyone looking for a sweet Christmas song other than what is in the Hymn book or Children's Songbook.

You can download it here:  Star Bright

Gethsemane (by Melanie Hoffman)

I was asked by my Primary President to teach "Gethsemane" to the primary children this year.  And I was delighted to to find that the Church put this song out in the March 2018 Friend Magazine, so there was no worry about getting it approved or purchasing music. 

I love the sing-along video that the Church put up on their website (https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2018-03-0020-gethsemane?category=sing-along-videos&lang=eng) and I'm planning on showing it in primary to introduce the song.  There were a few flipcharts online that I was able to find, but all in portrait mode.  So, of course, I made my own version that is landscape mode so I can put it in my binder and hang it over my music stand.

You can find my flipchart here:  Gethsemane

I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

One of my favorite Primary songs is "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" and I loved teaching it to the children last year.  I used mostly pictures from the Children's Songbook to make my flipchart.  I tried to use very few words, mostly because the Juniors can't read much anyway and the Seniors mostly knew the song.  I tried to use pictures that helped them remember the words and what they mean.

You can find my flipchart here:  I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

The Miracle

It is so great that the song "The Miracle" by Shawna Belt Edwards was published in The Friend in June 2018 so that we can now teach it in Primary!  I must admit that when I watched the sing-along video the Church put out I teared up.  And when I actually tried to sing along I full out cried.  This song touched me deeply and I couldn't get it out of my head for days.  I finally decided that I had to teach it for Easter this year.  Then I found a video I love even more - one with the song set to the Church Bible videos which you can find here.

I found a few flipcharts on the internet already, but I really wanted just the right pictures that would bring to mind the words for the children since I have so many little ones that don't read.  This, like all my flipcharts is made to print landscape.  I put the pages in sheet protectors in a binder that I hang over my music stand which is easier for me than holding the binder upright in my hands while trying to lead the music.

You can find my flipchart here:  The Miracle

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus

One of the songs for March 2019 from the new "Come, Follow Me" program is "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus," a song I have loved from my childhood.  The verse that refers to the story of Jesus calming the sea always caught my imagination - that the waves would obey Christ has always been a testament of his power and authority. 

I also remembered that the Tabernacle Choir sang a fourth verse (watch HERE) and loved the strength and power of the last line, "Jesus is King!"  I looked into that and found that it had been in the orange "Sing With Me" Primary songbook, but was removed when the Children's Songbook was released.  I decided to include this verse in my flipchart.  I don't know yet how many verses we will sing in the program, but I want to teach them all.

You can find my flipchart here: Tell Me the Stories of Jesus Flipchart

Baptism (song from the Children's Songbook)

For the first time in four years, I am teaching my Primary children the song "Baptism" from the Children's Songbook.  I gleaned many ideas for my flipchart from around the internet and Facebook and decided on my favorite pictures to help the children learn this song.

You can find my flipchart here:  Baptism Flipchart

I Will Be Valiant

A great song to go with the theme for September 2018 is "I Will Be Valiant."  It is a fun, upbeat song that the kids should know.  If you have time to slip in this song while practicing for your Primary Sacrament Meeting Program, this is a great choice.

You can find my flipchart here:  I Will Be Valiant Flipchart

Families Can Be Together Forever

The Primary song for July is "Families Can Be Together Forever" which may already be familiar to a lot of Primary children.  To aid in teaching the new younger children, I created a flipchart.  I plan to cut out the pictures and post them around the room, leaving a blank spot in the pages.  This way they can figure out which picture goes with which page/words.  It should be a fun review for those that know it and a good teaching opportunity to teach the words to those who don't.

You can find my flipchart here:  Families Can Be Together Forever

We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet

May (2018) is another "choose your own song" month for Primary music leaders.  Then in the Outline for Sharing Time they have Helps for the music leader (see May on page 11) and it shows wordstrips for "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet."

I chose to teach that song for May, but I have so many junior primary kids that don't read, I wanted to use pictures instead.  So I started gathering pictures - but what kind of picture do you get for "we thank thee?"  After thinking about it for a while, I chose a combination of words and pictures.  I realized that it's the same words for each line (almost) - "we thank thee," and that the kids can learn to recognize that repeating phrase even though they don't read.  Anyway, here is what I came up with, I hope it can help someone else too.  Just cut each page into four, or don't, it's up to you.

You can find my "word/picture" cards here:  We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet

You can also find my shortened version (2 page horizontal flip chart) here:  We Thank Thee (flip)

An Angel Came to Joseph Smith

April is "choose your own song" month for Primary.  I chose "An Angel Came to Joseph Smith."  I taught the children some rhythm clapping since this song switches from 3/4 to 2/4 twice in each verse.  Once we got the rhythm down, the song came pretty quickly.  I also had them sing "The Golden Plates" which goes right along with this song and helps the children really understand that the golden plates are the Book of Mormon (see my handout for The Golden Plates).

You can find my flipchart here:  An Angel Came to Joseph Smith

My Mother Dear

A sweet little song for Mother's Day - "My Mother Dear" is pretty quick for primary children to learn.  Be sure to teach them that in this song "bright" means smart (not bright like the sun), mothers have to know and do a lot to raise their children.

This flipchart has pictures for the little ones and words for readers and teachers and any children who come the day of performance who haven't been to church to learn it.  I first used just the pictures (printed bigger and separately) placed around the room and had the kids find the pictures while listening to the song and figure out the order of the pictures. You may be able to sing through it a few times while they work this out.  Then I use the chart to practice once or twice a week until we sing it in Sacrament Meeting on Mother's Day.

You can find my flipchart here (although no flipping is required):  My Mother Dear

If the Savior Stood Beside Me (Sign Language Chart)

After watching this video explanation of how to sign "If the Savior Stood Beside Me," I made myself a chart of very simple signs to teach the primary children as they learn this song.  Mostly the chart is to help me remember.  It took quite a bit of time and some photoshopping (can I use that as a verb now?), so I thought I would share it for those without the time or software to create your own. This certainly is not the only way to sign it, but I chose the easiest signs with what I could find on the internet.

You can find my chart for all 3 verses here:  If the Savior Stood Beside Me (Signs)