Singing Time

For the past several months, I've lead singing time in primary. It's a lot more work than leading the congregation's choir used to be. Maybe I would have had better choir attendance if I had stood on my head once in a while, but coasting along is not an option with the kids. Despite the increased workload, I've had a lot of fun with it. One of my favorite times was when we filled cups with different amounts of water and played the songs with spoons. I had to use our largest glass completely empty and smallest baby food jar completely full to get the range I wanted, but it was pretty cool.

There are tons of singing time idea blogs out there. I use their ideas all the time and I'm incredibly grateful for them. I don't intend to turn our blog into another one, but I thought it'd be fun to share from time to time.

We're learning Jesus Once was a Little Child this month. The kids had the first verse down pretty well, but needed some help on the second.  I wrote it on the white board I got at Saver's for a buck.  I used different colors because my intent was to have them draw Uno cards and we'd erase the words in corresponding colors.  At the last minute, however, I decided to use the Nerf guns my sister got us for Christmas.  It was awesome.  My diligent and reverent singers got a chance to take a few shots at the whiteboard from behind the line of chairs.  We erased the words that got hit.  The boys have never sung so well.  They were on the edge of their seats quivering with musical intensity.   I think it went along with the theme of "playing as little children play, the innocent games of youth."

We have a pretty small senior primary; so we can do some creative things and still stay under control.  I looked through the handbook and I didn't see anything that said I couldn't use guns in primary... But it did just so happen that the stake primary sent representatives today.  They didn't jump up to congratulate me on my innovation; still, it got the boys to sing. 

We also used the April Showers theme that has been passed around the LDS singing time blogosphere to pick additional songs to sing.  Rather than put songs on paper raindrops, I just stuffed them into Easter eggs.  We've got bunches of those.  They sort of look like raindrops if you squint.

Of course it's hilarious to nest one egg six layers deep.  At least I think it's funny.  The kids chuckle politely.  That wacky Brother Cooper.  They're good kids.