This week I was busy creating class bags for all our fun instruments that we use during Primary Singing Time. I am pretty sure I got the idea from one of the great primary Facebook pages I follow, but thought I would share in case it could help someone else out. I got called a little over a year ago, and found myself wanting fun instrumental ways to sing along with the songs.
Unfortunately, passing them out takes up so much of our precious singing time, especially when we only have one bag of an item. So first, I made separate class ziplock bags for the items. But sometimes people would try to help cleanup and they would all get combined. And there were days that I wanted to use more than one.
So this last week, after a fun Valentine’s Day singing time, I decided to make something to help. I got these drawstring bags for cheap on Amazon. Most of our classes have 7 or 8 kids. So I made 5 bags of 8 so we don’t have to worry about which bag goes to which class. We do have 2 classes in each group, with 10 and 11 for one group, and 10 and 13 for another. So I made my blue bags be the big bags. One says 10 and one says 13 (labeled on the inside ziplocks so we could adjust bags at any time).
Here is what I put in them: Rhythm sticks (2 for each kid, just simple dowels from Walmart that I painted. I have since seen the idea that unsharpened pencils work well as another affordable option). Paper Plates (2 per kid, you can get the super cheap flimsy ones but my hubby ended up grabbing the more expensive paper plates). Straws (2 per kid, preferably one light and one darker. I plan to use this one for “I Will Walk With Jesus”). Scarves (1 per kid, I got them for a decent price on Amazon. You could also do ribbons tied to shower rings, or ribbon wands). Spoons (2 per kid, I drew little faces on one spoon when we sang “Family History, I am Doing It” to represent each child and the blank one was to represent a spirit of a family member who’s name we needed to find and do temple work for). Jingle Bell Sticks (1 per kid, I wrapped pipe cleaners and bells around popsicle sticks to shake to the songs. You could also do wrist bells or something different). Egg Shakers (1 per kid, I filled cheap Easter eggs with rice and used scotch tape around the seam to secure them. We have used them several times with no problem. Some have also said Amazon sells great ones). Fingerlights (2 per kid, you could easily get away with 1 per kid but I had bought them and misplaced some and bought more and realized I had enough for each kid to get 2. This is the kids’ favorite activity).
If you were to create something like this, start small. The bags are great, but you could do just a few cheaper items and then slowly add to them. I created them as I saw ideas for the songs I was teaching.
I will share a few videos I have made with ideas on how to use some of these items. Hopefully is helps.
Build an Ark (Egg Shakers):
Jesus Has Risen (Egg Shakers):
I Want to Be a Missionary Now (Rhythm Sticks):
Or this cute one with my kids:
When I am Baptized (Ribbon Rings):
The Holy Ghost (Finger Lights):
He Sent His Son (Finger Lights):
I Know My Father Lives (Finger Lights):
My Own Sacred Grove (Ribbon Wands):
A Child's Prayer (Scarves):
My Redeemer Lives (Spoons):
Family History, I am Doing It (Spoons):
As you may know, Sharla Dance has so many great ideas. You can check out her YouTube videos here: https://youtube.com/c/TeachingPrimaryMusic
Michelle Crawford also has tons of great ideas on her YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/channel/UCReGwVJgi-CX32OA1Pe0foA
Okay, that was a lot of info, but hopefully it helps you guys out. We are doing Build an Ark with Egg Shakers today. Happy singing!
Comments