Don't forget to take a break from working on your January song. The children (and teachers!) are going to get bored of working on the same song over and over again, and you're only on Song #1 of the new year. I know it's so hard to break it up sometimes when you think "I have only one month before I have to move onto the next song, or I'm going to get behind!!" However, it always works out - this year there are many songs that have been in recent past programs, which means the senior kids at least only need a refresher.
One tip if it makes you nervous to skip a Sunday of working on that song, is to use the song for either opening or closing exercises.
Some fun options for singing time this Sunday:
1. Chinese New Year is coming up at the end of the month. Ask them if anyone knows what special holiday is coming up at the end of the week. I'll bet this answer will vary depending on where you live in the United States.
You can pick up the traditional red envelopes that are given in honor of the holiday (usually with money in them) at Asian markets at this time of year. You can also make your own red envelope, since the kids aren't likely to realize that it doesn't look authentic! However, instead of putting the traditional money in the envelope, put either a song they know, a trivia question, or some other fun option in each envelope. Since this month's song is a series of questions and answers, it would be fun to have the trivia part be the questions from "He Sent His Son," but to actually leave that song out, and have all the other envelopes be other songs that are related to the theme for the month, "Heavenly Father Prepared a Way for Me to Return to His Presence."
2. Puzzle. Valentine's Day is coming up and I NEVER seem to have time to do a Valentine's Day theme. Cut out a giant, red heart. Cut it into five pieces, then stuff them each in a balloon before blowing it up. Children get to come up, pop the balloon, get out the puzzle piece, and sing the song on the balloon. You can tell children you are going to choose them by how well they are singing, or how reverent they are during sharing time, etc. I would focus on having them sing songs from the theme this month, and reviewing 2013 and 2012 songs ... "lest they forget." :)
3. You can be really theme-based by cutting out footprints and putting them on the ground. Children will be invited up to choose a footprint. They will be able to read what is on top of the footprint, which will review something they learning in sharing time this month, and then the song underneath. Sometimes it will be blank so they will not have a song to sing. Or maybe instead of being blank, it will have a question asking them how they can show that they are preparing to follow Jesus Christ to live with their Father in Heaven again.
For footsteps about things they learned, refer to the sharing time manual, but here are some ideas:
1. Psalms 82:6 tells us that we are children of God and can be like him someday.
2. Christ’s Atonement is like a bridge that will help us return to Heavenly Father; if we repent and obey the commandments, we will be able to live with Him again.
3. Jesus Christ is our perfect example. He showed love to others and wants us to do the same.
4. We follow the example of Jesus Christ when we serve others.
5. Heavenly Father loves every one of us and wants us to feel his love for us.
One tip if it makes you nervous to skip a Sunday of working on that song, is to use the song for either opening or closing exercises.
Some fun options for singing time this Sunday:
1. Chinese New Year is coming up at the end of the month. Ask them if anyone knows what special holiday is coming up at the end of the week. I'll bet this answer will vary depending on where you live in the United States.
You can pick up the traditional red envelopes that are given in honor of the holiday (usually with money in them) at Asian markets at this time of year. You can also make your own red envelope, since the kids aren't likely to realize that it doesn't look authentic! However, instead of putting the traditional money in the envelope, put either a song they know, a trivia question, or some other fun option in each envelope. Since this month's song is a series of questions and answers, it would be fun to have the trivia part be the questions from "He Sent His Son," but to actually leave that song out, and have all the other envelopes be other songs that are related to the theme for the month, "Heavenly Father Prepared a Way for Me to Return to His Presence."
2. Puzzle. Valentine's Day is coming up and I NEVER seem to have time to do a Valentine's Day theme. Cut out a giant, red heart. Cut it into five pieces, then stuff them each in a balloon before blowing it up. Children get to come up, pop the balloon, get out the puzzle piece, and sing the song on the balloon. You can tell children you are going to choose them by how well they are singing, or how reverent they are during sharing time, etc. I would focus on having them sing songs from the theme this month, and reviewing 2013 and 2012 songs ... "lest they forget." :)
3. You can be really theme-based by cutting out footprints and putting them on the ground. Children will be invited up to choose a footprint. They will be able to read what is on top of the footprint, which will review something they learning in sharing time this month, and then the song underneath. Sometimes it will be blank so they will not have a song to sing. Or maybe instead of being blank, it will have a question asking them how they can show that they are preparing to follow Jesus Christ to live with their Father in Heaven again.
For footsteps about things they learned, refer to the sharing time manual, but here are some ideas:
1. Psalms 82:6 tells us that we are children of God and can be like him someday.
2. Christ’s Atonement is like a bridge that will help us return to Heavenly Father; if we repent and obey the commandments, we will be able to live with Him again.
3. Jesus Christ is our perfect example. He showed love to others and wants us to do the same.
4. We follow the example of Jesus Christ when we serve others.
5. Heavenly Father loves every one of us and wants us to feel his love for us.
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