Monthly outline of singing time ideas for January

Last night I realized that I should probably have started this month's blog with my monthly outline of what activities I'm posting in January for both "I Know That My Savior Loves Me" and for "Follow the Prophet." I want you to know where I'm headed so you can fit all the little details into an overall view.  (You can peak at what's coming!)

Here goes:

Song of the month: I Know That My Savior Loves Me (swaying feel, full of faith, warm and tender, expression of testimony, sacred in feel)

Contrast song: Follow the Prophet (Firm, strong beat, strength of conviction) I chose the Adam verse and Noah verse, each with two different activities. (Song of the month for March)

Week 1: (Already posted)

Younger: Directional Body Taps for Follow, then Silent Video of I Know.

Older: Body Rhythm Pattern with extender activity for Follow/Adam, then Silent Video to give visual images to the children of I Know.- - - -(Using Kinesthetic, then Visual Intrigue Intelligences)

Week 2:(Already posted)

Younger: Sway and Freeze for I Know with a change up on the chorus, then Role Play for Follow/Adam (using a story for teaching about being taught by an angel).

Older: Patsch Cross Pattern for I Know, then Role Play for Follow/Adam (using the scripture for the angel teaching Adam).- - - -(Using Living Music and Kinesthetic Intelligences ... role play is felt in the body.)

Week 3: (Will be posted soon)

Younger: Simplified Rhythm Band for Follow/Noah, then the Three Piece Puzzle activity for the 1st verse of I Know.

Older: Rhythm Band for Follow/Noah, then Envelope Game for the 2nd verse of I Know.- - - -(Using Living Music and Visual Intrigue for Younger, Living Music, Words, and Interaction Intelligences for Older.)

Week 4: (Will be posted after week 3)

Younger: Partner Scarves for I Know 1st verse, and Draw the Song for Follow/Noah.

Older: Egg Shaker Pass for I Know 2nd verse, and Crack the Code for Follow/Noah.- - - -(Using Visual Intrigue and Living Music for Younger, and Living Music and Logic plus Word Intelligences for Older.)

Here are some things to notice:

• There is a contrast each week between the activities for the two songs.

• One activity will appeal mainly to a certain intelligence, and the contrasting activity appeals to a different intelligence.

• Sometimes one of the songs comes first, and sometimes the other song comes first.  It depends on the activity.  I want an activity that will draw the children in to go first.

• The older children begin to learn the second verse of I Know That My Savior Loves Me because they already are so familiar with the first verse from last year.  (If your children don't know the first verse well, stay with the first verse for these different activities.) The younger children are still learning the 1st verse because of the three and four year old’s that need to hear it again and again.

• The children are introduced to both the Adam verse and the Noah verse of Follow the Prophet. The younger children will probably need some other activities to cement the story, the words, and the feel of each individual verse. (I will post some new activities for that song next month.)

• There is something intriguing every Sunday, but it is not entertainment.  Each activity has a challenge for the children.  Each activity is trying to stay true to the feel of each particular song being taught.

 I hope this gives you an outline of what I'm trying to do for January.