Friend January 2019 “Faith” The song “Faith,” simplified for beginning pianists. Also, Sing-along video.
Tag Archives: song
My Heavenly Father Loves Me: Song
Posted onMy Heavenly Father Loves Me
(Children’s Songbook, pg. 228 )
Preparation
- Items needed: a half sheet of poster board, glue, scissors, drawing compass or ruler, and one brad.
- Print the visual aid items and assemble the activity using the following steps:
- Cut out the earth pieces, and place the two pieces together, with the middle edges overlapping until the scenes on both side match in the middle. Glue the pieces together.
- Place the earth on the half sheet of poster board and trace around the outside edge. After removing the earth, find the middle point on the earth picture and on the poster board using a compass or a ruler. (Note: it must be the exact middle in order for this activity to work)
- Cut out the triangle pieces inside the blue lines. Place the blank triangle on the earth just left of the top middle, making sure the tip is at the center mark. Trace around the triangle with a pencil and then cut out the piece from the earth.
- Place each triangle on the poster board circle outline in the correct order (see above picture). They will overlap each other in order for them to all fit, but the points of all the triangles need to be circling the center mark. Once all the parts are situated, lightly glue down each piece. Place the earth on top of the circle and check to make sure that the opening on the earth shows each picture correctly as you turn it. Cut out the poster board circle, trimming off any parts of the triangles around the edges. Laminate both the earth and the poster board circle. (UPS stores have laminators. They also can enlarge the images and print them bigger if needed.) Cut off the excess laminating around the edges, but do not cut out the laminate on the cut out slice of the earth.)
- Place the earth on top of the circle cutout. With a thick needle, poke a hole through the center mark on both items leaving the needle in place. Turn the earth and make sure everything is lined up. If both circles are lined up, put the brad through both holes, opening up the arms in the back. Note: The visual aids were found on Microsoft Word clipart and in the Friend magazine. The idea for this visual aid was posted on Sugardoodle from “The Choristers Corner,” but it didn’t include printable images.
- Be prepared to attach the back circle to the board with strong magnets or sticky tack. If you plan on having the children help with the wheel turning, a tab can be added to the front circle edge to help the younger children turn it. If this song idea is used for family home evening, sing the song with the children throughout the week to help the children remember it.
Presentation
Remind the children that our Heavenly Father loves us, so he had Jesus make this beautiful world for us to live on. Explain that this song reminds us of many of the wonderful things we are blessed with on the earth.
Show the children the earth visual aid.
Senior primary:
Have the children listen for what word each pictures stands for as you sing the song for the children while turning the top circle on the earth visual aid. (See the underlined words below). Make sure the pictures are always at the top of the world. Sing the song again using the visual aid, and stop at each picture and have the children say the word. Sing the song again, two lines at a time, and have the children echo you. Then have them sing the whole song with you using the visual aids as clues.
After the children learn the song, you can use the actions to help remind them of the words instead of using the visual aid.
Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by our lilac tree,
I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heav’nly Father created for me.
Junior Primary
Sing a line while showing the visual aid. But before singing, tell the children to listen for the word each picture stands for. Sing that line again with the visual aid, but stop at the word and have the children say the word. Sing the line again in parts and have them echo you. Then have them sing the whole line with you. Do the same with the other lines. After they learn a new line, have the children sing it with previously learned lines.
After the children learn the song, you can use the following actions to help remind them of the words instead of using the visual aid.
Actions
Whenever I hear the song of a bird. (Cup hand around ear.)
Or look at the blue, blue sky, (Point at your eyes and then point at the sky.)
Whenever I feel the rain on my face (Stroke face, and then put hands up in front of you and wiggle your fingers as your hands move downward. )
Or the wind as it rushes by, (Wiggle your fingers as your hand move side to side.)
Whenever I touch a velvet rose. (Put finger out as if to touch something.)
Or walk by our lilac tree, (Make two fingers move as if walking.)
I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world. (Point to your smiling face, and then hold arms out with palms up.)
Heav’nly Father created for me.
Note: Accompaniment can be found at http://www.lds.org/music/library/childrens-songbook/my-heavenly-father-loves-me?lang=eng
I Am Like a Star: Song
Posted onFriend September 2018 “I Am Like a Star: I Can Play It” Easy sheet music and music video.
Praise to the Man: Verse One
Posted on- Print the pictures, and the word pages. Cut each picture page in half lengthwise so one picture is on each half. Put each of the word pages in a page protector. (Optional: cover each word page with a colored paper, and tape the top edges so the colored paper can be flipped up to show the clue.)
- Items needed: a large picture of Joseph Smith, a dry erase pen or strips of paper, a digital copy of the song “Praise to the Man” (or a CD player and a CD of “Praise to the Man.” The CD hymns with words can be found at most meetinghouse libraries. If a CD is not available, the song can be downloaded from www.lds.org onto a laptop. A microphone can be put next to the laptop speaker so the children can hear the song. Another idea would be to have the adults in the room sing the song.)
Presentation
Explain to the children they are going to learn a new song, and they are going to do two activities to help them remember it. The first activity is to try and guess who the song is about. (Post the pictures on the board and explain that the song is about one of these people. Also post the first seven word pages on the board, in order, but turned over or covered with another sheet of paper.) Explain that the covered pages are lines in the song, and they are clues to who the song is about. One person on the board will be eliminated as each clue is read. (Some of the children may guess the name before the clues are finished, but tell them not to say it out loud.)
The second activity they are going to do is find the correct word in each line. Explain that there will be two orange words on each song page. One of the words is the correct word that is in the song, and the other is a synonym and means the same thing as the correct word. They are going to listen to the song on CD and see if they can figure out which is the correct word.
To begin teaching the verse, turn over the first song page on the board, and explain to the children that the first line in the song is the name of the song – “Praise to the Man.” Point out that this line doesn’t have any orange words in it, but it is a clue. Have a volunteer take off one of the pictures on the board that doesn’t match with this clue. (Emma Smith, because she is not a man.)
Turn over the second song page on the board – “who talked/communed with Jehovah.”
• Who is Jehovah? (Jesus) Which of the people on the board did not talk to or communicate personally with Jesus. (Benjamin Franklin) (Note: We don’t know if President Monson has talked directly with the Savior, but we do know that as His spokesman on the earth, President Monson has received direction from the Savior through revelation. The picture of President Monson is included because he is needed for a clue further on in the song.) (Lorenzo Snow saw and talked with the Savior Jesus Christ in the Salt Lake Temple – see Friend/August 1993)
Once the children have taken off one of the pictures, have them listen to the CD and see which of the orange words is correct. (Whenever they listen to the CD, start it from the beginning. Have the children sing along until they get to the clue they are working on, and then they should just listen.) Have a volunteer cover up the incorrect word with strips of paper or cross it out with a dry erase pen.
Turn over the third song page on the board – “Jesus anointed/appointed that prophet and seer.” Explain that the clue for this line is the words “prophet and seer.”
- Which person on the board is not considered to be a prophet and seer? (Joseph had a very special role as Jesus’ guardian, but as far as we know he was not considered to be a prophet and seer.)
After the children guess the clue, have them listen to the CD to find out which of the orange words are correct. After they figure out which is correct, explain that one definition of anointing is- a sacred ceremony or process of appointing someone to a position of great responsibility, usually using consecrated oil. (For example, in the scriptures, kings and priests were anointed to their office in ancient times by prophets.)
Explain to the children that the next line in the verse needs to be skipped for now because it would give away who the song is about. Turn over the line that comes after the skipped line – “Kings shall praise/extol him and nations admire/revere.”
• Which of these prophets is not well enough known for kings to praise and nations to admire?” (The choice would be either the Brother of Jared or Lorenzo Snow. Have them take off Lorenzo Snow.)
After the children remove a picture, have them listen to the CD for the correct words in the line. (Try to start the CD at this point instead of at the beginning.)
Turn over the next song page on the board – “Hail/salute to the prophet ascended /risen to heaven”.
• What does ascended or risen to heaven mean? It means that the person is no longer living and is in heaven. Which prophet is still living in mortal life? (President Monson) (Note: Moses might be a confusing one for this category because he is not dead but was taken up to heaven in a translated state.)
Turn over the next song page on the board – “Traitors and tyrants/oppressors now fight him in vain/unsuccess.”
• Which prophet did not have traitors and tyrants fighting against him, that we know of? (The Brother of Jared)
After the children remove a picture, have them listen to the CD for the correct words in the line. After they have crossed out the incorrect word, go back to the song line that was skipped, and turn it over -“Blessed to open the last dispensation/gospel period“.
• Dispensation is a period were the gospel is renewed upon the earth. Which prophet opened the last dispensation? (Joseph Smith) Remove the picture of Moses and replace the small picture of Joseph Smith with the large picture. Point out that the children have discovered who the song is about.
Have the children listen to the CD for the correct words in the line. Start the CD from the beginning and remind them to sing all lines, except for the current clue.
Put the last two lines on the board one at time starting with – “Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren.”
• Do you think Joseph Smith is still serving in heaven trying to help us, his brothers and sisters?
Turn over “Death cannot conquer/overcome the hero again.”
• How is Joseph Smith a hero? (See D&C 135:3) He gave his all, including his life, in service to God and his fellow man.
- Can death overcome him again after he is resurrected? No, he will never die again.
Play the CD all the way through, and have the children sing the song until they come to the last line, then they should listen for the correct word.
Note: If you have already taught this verse, this activity can be used as a review. This was a hard song to prepare and teach. If you find any problems with the presentation, please let me know.
Praise to the Man – Verse Three
Posted onPraise to the Man – Verse Three
Preparation
- Print the word pages and the pictures. Cut out the pictures. Cut out the word strips if you are doing the drawing activity. Fold up each word strip. Put the word pages into page protectors.
- Items needed: magnets, chalk and eraser, tape, paper, and pencils or crayons.
Presentation (I’ve included two teaching ideas for this verse, and they can be used together or individually.)
Explain to the children they are going to learn another verse of “Praise to the Man”, and it is about Joseph Smith’s rewards in heaven for his faithful service.
Post each word page on the board as you read them to the children. Explain that the chorus is sung after those four lines.
First teaching idea to help introduce and get the children thinking about the verse:
Give each child a paper and pencil, and explain that they are going to create visual aids for the verse. Give each class one of the folded up word strips that contain the lines from the verse. (If you have more than four classes you may need to divide the children into four groups.) Have each child in the group draw a picture of the line they’ve been given. Explain that they need to keep it secret from the other groups which line they are drawing.
When the children are finished drawing, have a random group come to the front and hold up their drawings so everyone can see them. Have the other primary children try to guess which line the class drew. Have the children vote for which line the pictures go with by raising their hands. Circle the one on the board with the most votes. Have the class reveal which line they drew by putting their pictures under the correct line (using magnets or tape). When only two classes are left, have both classes come up and show their pictures. Have the rest of the children vote on which line each group’s pictures go with.
In junior primary, if you are short on time, you can use the pictures that senior primary drew for this activity (if you are on the senior first schedule). Have junior vote for which line each group of pictures goes with. Choose a helper who can read, and give the helper the folded up matching line that goes with the class’s pictures. After the children vote, have the helper reveal which is the correct line by putting the pictures under the correct line.
Sing the verse. You may need to review one line at a time with junior primary, and then sing only that line before reviewing the next line.
Memorizing Activity
Explain that they are now going to memorize the verse. Cover up the words on the first page with the pictures that match each word. Discuss and explain those words if needed. Sing the verse. Continue in this manner until each page is covered with the pictures. Remove the word pages from the page protectors and see if the children can sing the song without the words.
Great – (large great) Great means large amount or wonderful.
Glory – (sun) Glory means the grandeur and blessings of heaven. Joseph Smith will inherit the highest degree of glory, the Celestial Kingdom, which is compared to the glory of the sun.
Endless – (arrow circle) Explain that the circle picture is used to represent the word “endless” because there is no end to a circle.
Priesthood – (Joseph receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood) Power and authority from God.
Ever and ever – (two rings) Explain that ever and ever means forever, and the picture of the rings is used to represent forever because rings have no end. The two rings are also meant to help them remember to say the word “ever” twice.
Keys – (keys) Keys are the directive and governing powers held by presiding priesthood holders.
Hold – (hand holding a key)
Faithful – (Yellowstone’s Old Faithful) Explain that Old Faithful is a geyser at Yellowstone National Park, and it got its name because its eruptions are regular and reliable, unlike other geysers in the park whose eruptions are unpredictable. Explain that Joseph Smith was also reliable. He could always be depended on to do what the Lord wanted him to do. He did the Lord’s bidding because he trusted and had faith in the Lord.
True – (blue diamond) Explain that real diamonds have great value and are hard rock-solid. Joseph was also solid; he was committed, and faithful to God. His beliefs were real and genuine, and his actions were always true to those beliefs. (The children can also try to remember the word “true” by thinking of true blue.)
Enter – (open door)
Kingdom – (castle) Explain that the castle picture is used to depict the word “kingdom” because a castle is part of a king’s kingdom.
Crowned – (crowns) The word “crowned” means to confer royal status upon someone. (All those who are righteous, obedient, and faithful become heirs of God.)
Midst – (blue circle with the yellow middle) Explain that in the midst means in the middle of, or surrounded by.
Prophets of Old – (picture of prophets) Joseph, along with the prophets of old, will enter into the celestial kingdom, become heirs of God, and be crowned with glory because of their righteousness and faithful service.
Song: Stand for the Right
Posted onSong: Stand for the Right
Preparation
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Items needed: a razor utility knife, tape, and magnets.
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For easy assembly, follow just the basic instructions. Basic assembly instructions: Print the song pictures onto white cardstock, including the extra shutters. Cut out the pictures. Glue the extra shutters to the opposite side of the regular shutters so they are double-sided. Attach the shutters to the house by cutting a line down the side edges of the window with the utility knife. Fold the white rectangle towards the original shutter side. Insert the white rectangle into the the window cuts, then tape the white rectangle to the back of the house. Glue the TV to the bottom right side of the window area.
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Attach magnets to the back of each of the pictures.
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Optional: To make this activity more interactive, follow the basic instructions and the optional instructions. Watch the video to see an example of the more interactive version.
Presentation:
Tell the children they are going to be learning a new song in March, and it is called “Stand for the Right.” Ask the children what it means to stand for the right. Explain that there will be situations in their lives where they will have to decide if they are going to follow the Lord and do the right things or if they are going to go in a different direction. For example, the Lord wants us to be kind to others, but suppose your friends are leaving out a new boy in your class when they play football. You would have a choice to make: follow along with the other kids or stand for the right and be kind. Another example would be that the Lord has asked us to be obedient to our parents, but suppose your mom asked you to finish the laundry before going to play, but your friends want you to come play with them and they insist that you don’t have to obey your mom. You would have a choice to make: do you stand for the right, or do you go the opposite direction, the way Satan would have you go.
Put the house picture and the picture of the boy on the board. Explain that the song starts off with the following words:
Our Prophet has some words for you. (Open the shutters.)
And these are the words: Be true, be true. (Put on the word bubble, and tell the children they will say the words “Be True” two times.)
Ask the children what the words “Be True” mean. Explain that it means the prophet wants us to honor our commitments to follow the Lord and keep His commandments. (Have the children sing the first two lines.)
At work or at play (Put the laundry basket in the arms of the boy, and then exchange it for the football. As you do this, remind the children of the example stories you told them earlier.)
In darkness or light (Put the moon picture slightly behind the roof of the house, and then exchange it for the sun picture. Place the sun picture so only half is showing above the roof of the house.) (Optional: You may want to glue the two pictures together, back to back, to make it quicker and easier to place them.)
These two lines mean that we are to be true at all times and keep the commandments, no matter what we are doing or what time of day it is. (Have the pianist play the two lines so the children can hear what it sounds like, and then have the children sing this part.)
Be true, be true (Point to the word bubble, and remind them to say the words twice.)
And stand for the right. (Put the CTR shield in the boy’s hands, and put the word strip on the board.)
Inform the children that when we stand for the right, we are showing that we are on the Lord’s side. We are also setting good examples for those who are around us.
(Have the pianist play this part, and then have the children sing these two lines.)
Have the children sing the song all the way through. Go over any words they have problems with, and then sing the song again. Have one of the children put the pictures on the board while the other children sing the song. Have another child try to put the pictures on the board at the right times as the children sing. Keep doing this until the children have the song and the picture placement correct.
Stand for the Right visual aid from Camilla Whitman on Vimeo. Optional assembly instructions:
- Items needed: a half sheet of white poster board, double-sided tape, and clear packaging tape.
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Attach the house to the poster board with double-sided tape around the side and bottom edges. Also attach the boy to the poster board with double-sided tape. Using the other half sheet of the poster board, cut out the following strips: a one inch by two and a half inch piece, (two) one and a half inch by three inch pieces, a two inch by three and a half inch piece, a two inch by four inch piece, a two inch by five inch piece, and a one and three quarters inch by ten inch piece.
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Cut a fourteen inch piece of packaging tape. Lay the tape on a flat surface, sticky side up. Lay the the 2″x3 1/2″ strip on one end of the tape so that the tape covers one side of the long strip. Place the word bubble on the tape, 5 1/2″ from the edge of the strip. Cover the whole thing with another 14″ piece of tape, or with a clear piece of plastic such as from a ziplock bag. Using the razor utility knife, cut a straight slit from the top of President Monson’s left shoulder to the outside edge of his ear, and then all the way to the top edge of the window. Cut another slit from the top left corner of the window edge, and down along the edge of the window until it is the same length as the other slit. (These slits must go all the way through the poster board.) Lace the 14″ piece of tape through the slits so that the word bubble shows in the front and the end strip is on the left side of the poster board. Tape the end of the 14″ piece of tape to the back side of the poster board an inch from the slit. Tape the sides of one of the 1 1/2″ x3″ strips to the back of the left edge of the poster board so that is sits over the tape. This will serve as a guide for the tape.
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Cut a sixteen and a half inch piece of packaging tape. Lay the tape on a flat surface, sticky side up. Lay the 2″x5″ long strip on the end of the tape. Place the laundry basket on the tape 2 1/2″ from the edge of the strip. The laundry basket should be 1/4″ from the bottom of the tape. Angle the football slightly and lay it on the tape 5/8″ from the laundry basket (1/4″ from the bottom of the tape). Place the CTR shield on the tape 5/8″ from the edge of the football. Cover everything with another 16 1/2″ piece of packaging tape or with a piece of ziplock plastic. Cut a 2″ long slit along the outside edge of each arm of the boy. Start at the top of his shoulders and go down. Lace the 16 1/2″ piece of tape through the slits so that the 2″x5″ strip is on the right of the poster board. Tape the other end of the tape an inch from the second slit. Tape the sides of the other 1 1/2″x3″ strip to the right side edge of the poster board in the same manner as the first guide.
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Tape the 1″x2 1/2″ strip to the top of the moon picture. This will serve as the pull strip. Cut a twelve inch piece of packaging tape and lay it on a flat surface, sticky side up. Place the moon picture on the end of the tape so the tape starts at the top edge of the picture and goes down the middle of the picture. Place the sun on the tape in the same manner, 2″ below the moon picture. Place another 12″ piece of tape on top, or cover the sticky side of the tape with a clear piece of plastic. Place the sun picture all the way in the pocket that is behind the roof. Place it as far left as it will go. Pull it straight up and make a small mark with a pencil on the left edge of the sun picture, next to the edge of the roof. Poke a pin through that mark. Measure down on the back of the poster board 4″ from that pin mark, and make a 4 1/2″ horizontal slit going toward the right. Be careful not to cut through the house. Put the sun in the pocket. Pull the tape, that is attached to the bottom of the sun picture, through the slit and tape the end of it an inch from the bottom of the slit. Push the sun picture half way through the slit. Push the moon picture down behind the sun picture in the pocket.
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Place the top edge of the 1 3/4″x10″ strip along the bottom edge of the house. Center it between the two side edges of the poster board. Tape the top of the strip to the poster board. Tape the 2″x4″ strip to the bottom middle edge of the “Stand for the right” word strip. This will serve as the pull. Cut two 3 3/4″ pieces of packaging tape. Place both pieces of tape on a flat surface so that they are vertically perpendicular to each other and the outside edges are 9 1/8″ apart. Place the 9 1/8″ long word strip over the bottom edges of the tape, so that you end up with a piece of tape on each side. Cut two more 3 3/4″ pieces of tape and place them over each of the other pieces of tape, or cover the tape with clear ziplock plastic. Flip up the 10″ strip, and cut two 2″ slits, one starting on the right end of the strip and going along the top edge of the strip towards the middle, and the other starting on the left end of the strip. Push each piece of tape through a slit. Flip down the 10″ strip and tape its sides down. Turn over the poster board, and tape the ends of each piece of tape an inch from its slit.
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Set each item so the board looks like the beginning of the video. Use white tacky putty to close the shutters. Practice with the music so you are familiar with how each item works and how to reset each item afterwards. The children love interactive visual aids, so give them a chance to try it (maybe by having three children operate the different items). Please send me an email if you have any questions camillamw@gmail.com
Review for the song “I Will Follow God’s Plan”
Posted onReview for the song “I Will Follow God’s Plan”
Preparation:
Print and cut out the Plan of Salvation pictures. Put a magnet on the back of each picture.
Presentation
Tell the children they are going to be reviewing the song “I Will Follow God’s Plan”. Before doing the activity, review the words by showing the children the flip chart pictures from last week. See if they can remember the words that go with each picture.
Sing the song after they have reviewed the words, but explain that as they sing the song, a volunteer is going to try to put the Plan of Salvation pictures on the board in the correct order. Show the children the pictures and read the title of each one (you may need to explain what certain ones mean to the junior primary). Choose a volunteer.
After the children sing the song, check the order of the pictures. If they are not correct, commend the child on their effort, take off all the pictures, mix them up, and have another volunteer try and put them in the correct order while the children sing the song again. Once the pictures are in the correct order, tell the children that you are going to make the activity a little more difficult. Take the pictures off the board, and take one out of the pile. Conceal what picture it is.
As the children sing the song again, have a volunteer put the pictures on the board in the correct order and then tell you what part of the plan is missing. (This last part was inspired by the activity in the Friend this month for the song. Thanks Friend magazine!) If this is too easy for the older children, take out more than one picture each time you do the activity. Continue in this manner until you feel like they have the song (and the plan of salvation) completely memorized. Be sure to review any words they might be having difficulty with each time they sing the song.
Song – I Will Follow God’s Plan
Posted onSong – I Will Follow God’s Plan
Preparation:
- Print the song words and the song pictures. Cut each page in half vertically. Cut out the bow and glue it to the body figure. Stack the pictures in order with the first picture face up on the bottom, and the second face up on top of it, and so forth. Do the same with the word cards, but make two piles. Start with the first line. The beginning half of the first line should be one pile, and the ending half of the line should be the other pile. Put a blank half sheet of paper on the top of each of the three piles. Hole punch the top corners of the papers in each pile. Using hinged rings or thin ribbon, connect the papers together at the holes so you have three flipcharts.
- Make a stand for the flipcharts by folding a poster board into three 9 ¼ inch sections. Tape the two ends together. It should form a triangular stand to put the flipchart on. When presenting the song in Primary, put the stand on a table (or if you need it to be higher for all the children to see, put a wide plastic box upside down on the table and put the flipchart stand on top of the box. Put each flipchart on the stand. The first page of the song on each flipchart should be the only pages in the front. Turn the pages of the flipcharts as you discuss the words of the song. After all the pages have been turned, the blank page should be the last page on the back. It will hold the flipchart on the stand.
Song Presentation
The song starts off by explaining some important things about life. The first thing it explains is that your life is a gift from God. He made it possible for you to receive a body and come to earth.
- My life is a gift
- Flipchart: #1 picture – body cutout with bow on it, #2 words – My life, #3 words – is a gift
The next thing the song explains is that your life and receiving a body is part of a plan.
- My life has a plan
- Flipchart: #1 picture – Plan of Salvation, #2 words – My Life, #3 words – has a plan
Then the song explains that as part of the plan, there is a purpose for your life–something we are aiming for. What is it? To gain eternal salvation.
- My life has a purpose
- Flipchart: #1 picture – target, #2 words – My life, #3 words – has a purpose
The next part of the song talks about the beginning of the plan of salvation. Where did the plan begin?
- In heaven it began
- Flipchart: #1 picture – pre-existence, #2 words – In heaven, #3 words – it began
Explain that we lived in heaven as spirits. There was a council in heaven and the plan of salvation was presented to us. There were some who wanted to change the plan and take agency out of it, and they chose to fight against the plan. What did you choose to do? You chose to follow the plan, and we know this because you took the next step in the plan which was to come to earth.
- My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth.
- Flipchart: #1 picture – children looking at the beauty of the earth, #2 words – My choice was to come to, #3 Words – this lovely home on earth
We are on the earth to receive a body and to be tested to see what choices we will make. But how do we know which are the right choices? Our Heavenly Father gives us direction and guidance on the earth, but to receive that guidance we have to put some effort into getting it. We have to seek for it.
- And seek for God’s light (guidance)
- Flipchart: #1 Picture – child praying and reading scriptures, #2 words – And seek for, #3 words – God’s light
Do we have to wait until we are older before we can seek for God’s guidance and direction? No, the song says we are to seek for God’s light to direct us from birth.
- To direct me from birth.
- Flipchart: #1 picture – baby, #2 words – To direct me, #3 words – from birth
Where do we find God’s guidance and direction? (In the scriptures, in the words of the prophets, and in the prompting of the Holy Ghost) Remind the children that the focus in Primary this year is the scriptures. Point out that the scriptures are like a plan or a map that Heavenly Father gives us to show us how to gain eternal salvation and return back to him. We need to commit to following his plan so that we can achieve our goals.
- I will follow God’s plan for me
- Flipchart: #1 picture – scriptures on a map, #2 words – I will follow, #3 words – God’s plan for me
We have to read and study the plan (the scriptures) throughout our life, never letting go of that goal. We also need to remember that Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to succeed.
- Holding fast to his word and his love
- Flipchart: #1 picture – person clutching scriptures, #2 words – Holding fast to, #3 words – his word and his love
In the next few lines of the song, we commit to doing the things necessary to accomplish our goal. We need to remember that we have to do more than just read the scriptures; we have to work and do the things in the scriptures that Heavenly Father has told us to do.
- I will work
- Flipchart: #1 picture – child helping sick man, #2 words – I will,# 3 words – work
We also need to remember that we can get help through prayer.
- And I will pray
- Flipchart: #1 picture – girl praying for help with a situation, #2 Words – I will, #3 words – pray
The last thing we need to remember is that if we will do the things the Savior did, we will always be going in the right direction. He is our example.
- I will always walk in His way.
- Flipchart: #1 picture – child walking like Jesus, #2 words – I will always, #3 words – walk in his way
Did you know the plan of salvation is also called the plan of happiness? So what happens when we follow Heavenly Father’s plan?
- Then I will be happy on earth
- Flipchart: #1 picture – happy child with father, #2 words – Then I will be happy, #3 words – on earth
If we follow the plan on earth then we will return to our Heavenly Father, and we will also be happy in our home above because we will have attained eternal salvation.
- And in my home above
- Flipchart: #1 picture – people happy in heaven, #2 words – and in my, #3 words – home above
After going through the words of the song with the children, sing the song. You will need two volunteers to help you turn the pages of two of the flipcharts. You will be turning the pages of one flipchart as the children sing. Tell the helpers to turn the page every time you do. (You will probably want to sing only a few lines at a time with the junior primary.)
To help the children memorize the song, use the flipchart to quiz them on the words. Start at the beginning and show them the picture, and then show them half of the words that go with that picture. See if they can remember what the other half of the words are. Go through all the pictures and words in that manner. (Use a half sheet of cardstock to cover the words that don’t go with the pictures so they aren’t a distraction.) Afterwards go through the flipcharts again, but this time only show them the pictures. See if they can remember all the words that go with each picture. If they are struggling with a part, show them half the words again. After going through the flipcharts the second time, have them then try to sing the song using only the pictures as aids.
Note: If your primary children already know the words to the song, do the following activity to help them better understand what the words mean. Print the word explanations from the above lesson, fold them, and put them into a container.
Activity: First have the children put the pictures in order on the board. Then have a child draw one of the explanations from the container, read it, and then find its matching picture.
Thank you to Valena Kisner who sent me this idea.
Since it was Valentines this week I thought it might be fun to add to the idea; put each of the explanations and a magnet on a wooden heart and then put the hearts in a jar. They can attach the heart to the picture when they find the match. Remind the children that the plan was introduced because Heavenly Father loves them.
Sabbath Day Holy: Lesson Item 5
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Song: Remember the Sabbath Day
(Children’s Songbook pg. 155)
Preparation
- Materials needed: double-sided tape, page protectors.
- Print one set of the song activity items. (Print the synonym words and the correct words onto two different colors of paper to help avoid mixup.) Cut out the words and write the word’s number on the back of each piece. Check the list below to find the numbers. (Example: The words “Remember” and “Keep in mind” would be #1).
- Put the song page and the Synonym Match-up page into page protectors. Put a piece of double-sided tape on the back of the synonym words and put them onto their correct numbered spot on the song page. Using double-sided tape, put the correct words on the Synonym Match-up page in random order.
- A recording of the song can be found here, or a CD of the Children’s Songbook can be checked out from the meetinghouse library.
Song Directions:
Show the song page to the family and read it to them. Tell them that some of the words are not correct. The incorrect words are synonyms of the correct words, which mean that they are similar in meaning to the correct words.
Show the page that says Synonym Match-Up. Tell the family that the correct words are listed on this page, and they need to replace the synonyms on the song with the correct words.
Have them take turns choosing a word and finding its match. (You may have to read the choices to younger children.) They can check the numbers on the back of the words to see if they have found the right match.
After all the correct words are in place, sing the song. (You may have to say each sentence out loud before singing to help small children who can’t read.)
You can take off words and try singing again to see if the family remembers the words to the song.
Answers:
Correct Words Synonyms
1) Remember 1) Keep in mind
2) the Sabbath day 2) Sunday
3) always keep 3) continually hold
4) it holy 4) it sacred
5) The Lord 5) God
6) blessed 6) set apart
7) hallowed it 7) consecrated it
8) worship 8) show devotion to
If I Listen With My Heart – Verse Three
Posted on“If I Listen With My Heart” – Verse Three
Preparation
- Items needed: light weight colored paper, clear stick glue, magnets, a page protector, clear tape, a lamp or lantern, a large envelope, and chalk and eraser.
- Print the story pictures, stain glass pattern, and word pages (make sure and print the picture of Christ onto light weight white paper). Cut out the story pictures. Cut apart the word pages on the dotted lines. Put a magnet on the back of each item. (Optional: Put a black background paper on the word cards.)
- Cut the stain glass pattern along the lines so that you have nine pieces. Using the pieces as patterns, cut out each piece from different colors of light weight paper (or print Emilie Hanson’s pre-made version) Glue the pieces to the front of the picture of the Savior. Make sure the picture of the Savior doesn’t show through the colored paper, but try not to use dark colors over the face. Using the photo above as your guide, cut the pieces into four parts. Cut out the labels and glue each one to a piece as shown above. Put the pieces into an envelope.
- Cut strips of dark paper and tape them to the edges of the page protector to make a frame.
Presentation
Tell the children that they are now going to learn the third verse of the song “If I Listen with My Heart.” Explain that this verse is about the Holy Ghost being a way we can hear the Savior’s voice. The Savior communicates with us through the Holy Ghost. There are many different things that the Holy Ghost tells us that the Savior wants us to know.
Ask the children if they have ever seen a stain glass window. Explain that a stain glass window is many pieces of colored glass combined to make a beautiful picture. When light comes through the window, it’s beauty can fill us with joy and uplift and warm our souls. Explain that the Holy Ghost can also fill our lives with joy, warm our souls, and light up our life with beauty. Like the different colored pieces of stain glass, there are different things the Holy Ghost does. A few of those things are mentioned in this verse.
Put the page protector on the board. Explain that you have several colored pieces of paper inside the envelope that will make a pretty stain glass type picture on the framed page protector. Each of these colored pieces of paper has a label on it. The labels are things the Holy Ghost does that are mentioned in the verse.
Choose a child helper. Draw out the piece of colored paper from the envelope that says “teaches truth and right.” Give the piece to the child and have him or her put it on the page protector using rolled pieces of tape. Tell the children that the helpers will need to try to put each piece in the right spot on the page protector. Disclose that the picture should form a heart when completed.
Tell the children that in the July 1997 Friend there is a story about a boy named Christopher. Christopher had been given the gift of the Holy Ghost, but he had become concerned because he had never heard the still small voice. (Put the picture of the upset Christopher on the board.) Christopher told his parents how he was feeling (put picture of parents on board), and they explained that the Holy Ghost can communicate in other ways besides a still small voice. They reminded Christopher of the good feeling he had after telling the truth about spilling the red punch on the carpet. (Put the picture of the spilled drink on the board. Also put the word card next to it that says “I feel the Holy Spirit as He teaches truth and right”.) Read the card to the children and explain that it is the first line in the verse. Ask “Does the Savior want us to know truth and right?”
Choose another helper. Give that child the piece of colored paper that says “comforts”. Have the child put it on the page protector. Explain that the Holy Ghost can comfort us when we are afraid, sad, or worried. Tell the children that when Christopher was lost in the mall and was afraid, he prayed for help. He felt calm and reassured. He also felt he should sit on a bench and wait, (put on the board the picture of Christopher sitting on the bench), and his parents were able to find him there. (Put the word card on the board that says “He comforts me in times of need” next to the picture of Christopher on the bench.) Tell the children that those are the words of the next line in the verse. Ask, “Do you think Jesus wants to comfort and help us?” Explain that in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus not only suffered for our sins, but he also suffered our pains, heartaches, and fears so he would know how to comfort and help us.
Choose another helper, and give that child the piece of colored paper that says “Testifies of Christ”. Have the child put it on the page protector. Tell the children that in the story about Christopher, his parents also reminded him of the time when he was reading the scriptures, and he suddenly understood a parable that Jesus taught. (Put picture of Christopher and the scriptures on the board.) Explain that the Holy Ghost can testify to us that Jesus is the son of God and that His words are divine truth. The Holy Ghost can also help us understand His words. (Put the word card on the board that says “He testifies of Christ” next to the picture of Christopher with scriptures. Tell the children that is the next line in the verse.) Explain to the children that the Holy Ghost also testifies that Jesus is our Savior and redeemer, and that because of His sacrifice and atonement we can repent and be forgiven of our sins. Ask, “Why does Jesus want us to know this?”
Draw out the last colored piece of paper that says “Fills with peace”. Put it on the page protector, and then put the word card on the board that says “He speaks to me in quiet ways that fill my soul with peace”. Point out to the children that Christopher didn’t even realize that the Holy Ghost was speaking to him because it was in quiet ways such as warm feelings and thoughts that came to him. But those thoughts and feelings filled Christopher with peace.
Put the stain glass picture in front of a turned on lamp or lantern so that the children can see the picture of Jesus. Explain that we learn in this verse that if we listen with our hearts, we will realize that the Holy Ghost is telling us the things that the Savior wants us to know.
The chorus pages will not be needed. Hopefully by this time they know that part, but the stain glass picture can be used to help remind them of the words of the chorus.
(In Junior Primary you may want to sing each line of the verse as you put it on the board, and then review the lines at the end and try to sing the whole verse.)
To help the children memorize this verse, take off the first word card. Write its words on the board, but leave the main words blank except for the first letter. See if the children can remember what those words are, and then sing the verse. Do the same with the next word card. Continue in this manner until the children have each line memorized. Many junior Primary children know letters, so prompt them with the sound of the letter to help remind them of the word.
Safety Reminder: Use only battery powered lanterns. If you use a lamp, put the paper on the lamp shade using a straight pin. Do not put the paper near the hot light bulb.