As of last week or so, I’m a brand new (read: terrified) Primary chorister. I have not a clue what I’m doing, so before we go any further, if you get a minute any time between now and Sunday, feel free to say a quick little prayer for me.

Now that you have a ridiculous amount of confidence in any kind of idea I share and how well it will work in a room full of wiggly little ones, let’s chat about what’s in the plans for week numero uno of singing time with yours truly.

So, this will come as no surprise to you, but the 4th of July is coming up-and so that’s what I decided to base my theme off of for this week. After a little bit of research, I discovered that the three colors most associated with America (red, white, and blue) have symbolic meanings. (For the sake of accuracy, I should tell you that it seems that this wasn’t decided when the flag became official but is associated with the creation of the Great Seal. But not the barking kind. And that’s the extent of our little history lesson.)

          RED: Courage
          WHITE: Purity
          BLUE: Perseverance

So, for each of these colors, I picked two Primary songs that go along with these meanings.

          RED: Nephi’s Courage (obvious choice) & Follow the Prophet (because it takes courage to follow the prophet and because of President Monson’s recent conference talk on courage)
          WHITE: I Love to See the Temple & He Sent His Son (it’s one of the songs for this year’s Primary program and it offers a great opportunity to briefly talk about how Heavenly Father sent Jesus Christ so we can be clean)
          BLUE: I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus (trying is a great perseverance word!) & I Will Follow God’s Plan (another Primary program song for the year)

I cut out three stars in each color. I wrote the songs listed above on the backs of their corresponding colors and included a “Your Choice” in each color as well (I’ve got to start making a list of songs they already know and love).

I plan on “hiding” the nine stars around the room (songs face-down) and having helpers go find them. Then we’ll sing the song listed while another little helper comes up and helps lead the music with a patriotic-star-wand I found at the local dollar store.

That’s my plan. I’m expecting a pretty serious learning curve. I would absolutely LOVE to hear about any tricks or tips or games you’ve got up your sleeve. Seriously!!

If you’re looking for a 4th of July FHE, I’m guessing you’re not planning on singing for 30 minutes. So, you can do the same star-hiding exercise, but let’s add a little variety to what you’ll put on the back. (I would keep a Primary song-because I do love Primary songs and I think music is an incredible teaching tool that I really hope to use in my home once I have Primary-aged kiddos.)

          RED: Nephi’s Courage, Youth Mormon Message “Dare to Stand Alone”, Joshua 1:9
          WHITE: I Love to See The Temple, I Choose To Be Pure video (I would probably use this with older kids-young women/men age), Articles of Faith 1:13
          BLUE: I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus, “Good Things to Come” Mormon Message, 2 Nephi 31:20

If you’re looking for a fun treat for after the lesson, try this Watermelon Slush. Super easy, super summer-ish, and you’ll love it!

 

Natalie