Jesus Has Risen!

The life of Jesus Christ, His Atonement and Resurrection, is the whole reason behind what we do in Primary, in our homes, in our lives!  Happy Easter!

Jesus has risen, Jesus, our friend.

Joy fills our hearts; He lives again.

Praises we sing to Him, this Easter time.

Jesus has risen, Savior divine.

Jesus has risen, Savior divine!

Jesus Has Risen (CS 70)

Did Jesus really live again?

Yes, when the third day came.

He wakened and He left the tomb;

He called Mary’s name.

And there were nail prints in his hands,

And a spear wound in his side.

Did Jesus really live again, after he had died?

Oh, yes! And so shall I!

Did Jesus Really Live Again? (CS 64)

The Power of Music: NEW Samuel the Lamanite song (with sheet music)!

Months ago I was leading Singing Time in another ward as part of my duties priviledges in the Stake Primary Presidency.  I taught the children a song about Samuel the Lamanite from our family’s repertoire.

Two months later I was at a party at my friend’s house.  My son was playing with another little boy that I recognized vaguely from a different ward.  I heard the other little boy say to my son, “I remember you when you visited my Primary class.”  I thought it was sweet that my son was remembered in that way.

Next, the little boy turned and looked up at me and said, “I remember you. You’re the one that taught me the song about Samuel the Lamanite.”  I wish I had a video of my facial expression at that very moment.  No doubt it would have first expressed my shock, followed by utter delight!  I knew just what song he meant because there’s only one song I sing about Samuel the Lamanite and it’s special and memorable.  It’s special because my father-in-law composed the song and you can’t find it in any songbook.  It’s memorable because of the catchy lyrics and tune; and I have often been told that people find themselves singing it throughout the week after we’ve sung it in Primary.

I was so shocked by this little boy’s recollection because he had only heard that song twice, at least 2 months earlier, and he was only 6 years old.  Later that evening at the party I met this boy’s mom and learned that he came home from Primary that day and started singing it to his family. Then he taught his 2 younger siblings.

Verse 1:

Samuel, Samuel, Samuel the Lamanite

stood up on the wall.

They threw their arrows and their rocks, rocks, rocks,

but they could not make him fall.

Verse 2:

Samuel, Samuel, Samuel the Prophet

said the Savior’s on His way.

In five more years there’ll be a brand new star

and a night as bright as day.

Ending (Coda):

Samuel, Samuel, Samuel the Lamanite said REPENT!

The power of music!  I bet that little boy will always remember the scripture story about Samuel the Lamanite climbing the wall to preach repentance and prophesy of Christ’s upcoming birth thanks to a catchy little song!  Music is memorable, and a great gospel teaching tool, helping the children carry these gospel principles around with them each day.

Now that you’ve read all about this wonderful, catchy and memorable song you’re probably wishing you knew it too!  Well, your wish is my command!  I share this song with permission from my father-in-law who composed it and my husband who arranged it!  It’s copyrighted so please only use it for your personal use or in your Primary at church.  Enjoy!

~Michelle

Samuel the Lamanite Piano Accompaniment–Sheet Music

“Primary Hit Parade” — fun music idea

Today’s guest author Julia created the following music activity for Senior Primary:

At the start of Sharing Time, before Singing Time, take a couple of minutes and pass out small slips of paper and pencils. Ask each child to list their top three favorite children’s songs or hymns. (Be prepared for creative spelling and new titles for familiar songs! but you’ll probably be able to figure most of them out.)

Then, while the presidency is doing Sharing Time, compile the votes and sing the top winners, as many as you have time for. You may be surprised at the songs the children love the best!

In Junior Primary, you can try a variation: sing a selection of songs and ask for votes: “Love it, Like it, or Not My Favorite.”

You might like to publish the results in the Primary column of your ward newsletter, or in the Sunday program.

You’ll find out which musical gospel messages have most deeply penetrated the minds of the children. Enjoy the fun!

~Julia

Julia is a former Primary President and current music leader.

From Knick Knack Paddy Whack to Joseph Smith

My niece’s five-year-old daughter exclaims, “Aunt Marci! Let’s play this game.” She claps her hands together, then claps her hands on mine. Repeat. Again and again. And over and over.

We sing “With a knick knack, paddy whack. . . ” We enjoy the repetitive rhythm, the silly words, and laughing together. ”Now what shall we sing?” I ask.

“How about ‘Praise to the Man’?” she replies.

I smile, and instead of the nonsense words of the last song, we sing “traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.” These words may have no more meaning to her five-year-old mind, but the feeling is different. The Spirit is present. And I know the Spirit will take this childhood-ingrained song and reveal layers and layers of meaning throughout her lifetime.

Particularly in nursery, it’s tempting to stick with secular toddler activity songs. There’s nothing wrong with those songs. But children can learn ”I am a Child of God” as easily as they can learn “Wheels on the Bus.” They can learn to gesture towards heaven, which is sign language for God, as easily as they can learn motions for “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” When I’m in nursery, I like to keep the sacred/secular proportion of songs in about the same balance as in Junior Primary — largely inspiring Primary songs that invite the Spirit, with a little splash of  “Hinges” and “Do As I’m Doing” for wiggles as needed.

Yes, dear child, death cannot conquer the hero again. God bless those music leaders and parents who taught you this truth.

-Marci

Why Sign Language?

“Our job is to make learning interesting.  We each learn differently, and catering to the different ages and developmental stages of the children can be a challenge.  With ASL you naturally reach children with varied learning styles.”

What’s your goal for music in Primary?

You’ve probably noticed that we advocate for teaching Primary songs with ASL (American Sign Language).  And maybe you’ve also wondered why.

My goal is to teach important gospel principles, have fun, and help children learn to feel and recognize the Spirit.  When I’ve used ASL to teach Primary songs I have been impressed at the level of participation and excitement. I have noticed that even the children who seemed uninterested are suddenly engaged.  ASL is easy enough for the youngest Sunbeams and yet challenging enough to pique the interest of those too-cool-for-singing 10 and 11 year olds!

Using ASL helps keep those fidgety hands busy making it possible to stay more focused (by keeping them too busy to get off-task).  When children are focused they have a greater potential to learn.  The mere act of hearing simple gospel truths gives the children an opportunity to feel the Spirit testify of its truthfulness.  And hearing (and seeing) these teachings through music makes it more memorable.

Using ASL enhances a child’s vocabulary; teaching gospel principles certainly requires the need to learn new vocabulary.  Children feel good about themselves when they gain a new skill.

When children are focused, happy, and having fun they are learning without even realizing it!  New knowledge is exciting and rewarding for children; they are so eager to learn.  Our job is to make learning interesting.  We each learn differently and catering to the different ages and developmental stages of the children can be a challenge.  With ASL you naturally reach children with varied learning styles.

With ASL, children are learning visually, verbally and kinesthetically all at the same time!  This will increase memory retention–and of course, when we go to all the work of teaching something we hope it will be remembered.

Using ASL is a great way to include all children in all aspects of Primary.  You may or may not have children with special needs in your Primary; the beauty of ASL is that it’s beneficial for all children!

Below find a few online articles about the benefits of ASL for all children.  Also, check our Links & Lessons page for a wonderful ASL Browser that you can search alphabetically to learn basic signs to use.  And don’t forget about our Music Videos page which contains video of many Primary songs with basic ASL signs to accompany (including this year’s new song: “As a Child of God”).

“You may or may not have children with special needs in your Primary; the beauty of ASL is that it’s beneficial for all children!”

~Michelle

Hearing Students, Sign Language, and Music: A Valuable Combination

The Benefits of Sign Language for ALL Children

The Benefits of Teaching Sign Language to a Verbal Child