Jr. Singing time is hard. I didn't do Drops of Awesome in Jr this week because they are so young. I made shakers out of plastic easter eggs today and they loved them. I used them on I am a child of God and If the Savior Stood Beside Me. I got 35 minutes in Jr. today but then only 10 in Sr. :)
Today in Jr. I stared with When I am Baptized (103) Last year I made ribbon wands out of a large craft stick and survey tape in 5 different colors. I have them wave them and move to the music while they sing. I know that they don't sing much - in fact my voice has been gone for two weeks, today every time I tried to sing, I started coughing. The teachers sang today, I did when I could, but I didn't worry about words today.
Then I did If the Savior Stood Beside Me and I am a Child of God (2) with the shakers. The kids loved them. I left one unglued and showed them what was inside so they didn't have to try to pry them apart. I used corn feed I had left over from making a cornhole game recently. I also took two just empty and told them if they were caught trying to break them open, they would get the empty ones.
I attend a seminar last fall by this lady: http://www.
She taught that we always work in waves. We should go from lots of movement and louder, to softer and less movement. After sitting all the way through Sacrament meeting, the kids need to move. I let them with the ribbon wands, and the shakers. I had clues to the song, I sang that part and asked the kids to figure out what song it was to. So the theme yesterday included "live with him again." That was the clue to the baptism one. I used "live with him again" for I am a Child of God.
I ended with One in a Million (a fun song from the friend) and As a Child of God from last year - we learned sing language to it so today it worked great - I couldn't sing hardly at all by then, so we did it silently as Sr. Primary joined us for gathering time.
I know that it takes a while to figure it out, and like kids - every week is a new challenge! I also know that I appreciate ideas from others! I am grateful to link arms with amazing primary people around the globe to share ideas as we all try to teach children through song! I love the songs of the Gospel! Keep trying! They are learning more than you know! Drops of Awesome is about YOU! You are doing more than you realize! The Lord knows that those kids need to hear it over and over and over, and they are getting it! Those songs you're teaching will be there when they need them! Keep building foundations! Kids remember the songs! :) The Lord makes up the difference after we give it our Best!