Stake Primary Music Training

The information found here is what I used to teach at our Stake Primary Music Training meeting. I thought I’d post here what I shared at that meeting for anyone who is interested. I took a wagon full of resources and visuals with me. I was quite the sight!

DISCLAIMER: if you are looking for new information, I’m really sorry…everything I taught is already found throughout my blog. This is just kind of a catch-all. I wish I had some brand new information to disclose but alas, it’s just my tried and true information that I’m just reiterating.

Available with this post is a handout with links on my blog where you can find more information about each item. Access my printables at my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing my Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.

As part of my training, I was asked to help all the music leaders in my stake teach next year’s theme song (As a Child of God) to the rest of the group who were in attendance at the meeting. The 2nd page of my handout are details on how I taught it in the training.

Training Handout

How to Teach a Song (Find more details on this information HERE)
KNOW the song (listen to it, play on the piano, etc)
Repetition through variety is critical for not burning out (you or the kids) including asl, actions, movement, puppets, pictures, echoing, rhythm instruments, etc. (find all my lesson plans to all the songs I’ve taught HERE)
Bear testimony
Pray – know that this is a very DIFFICULT calling

Staying Organized

Monthly Outline (find details HERE)
Binder (including posting words) (find details HERE
When Teaching (supply caddy, choosing sticks) (find details HERE and HERE)
Scheduling your month: (find details HERE)

2 weeks each month on learning the program songs
1 week each month on reviewing the songs learned for the year
1 week each month on a holiday/season/event, non-program related

• Scheduling your 20 minutes:

1 – 5 min: scripture song (Articles of Faith, Books in the …, etc.) Great for transition time and/or opening exercises!!
5 – 10 min: wiggle worm jar/nursery bag (find details HERE and HERE) or 5-minute song HERE
10 – 15 min: lesson plan

Singing Time Resources

Current year’s Music for Singing Time HERE
Music resources found on lds.org HERE
A Children’s Songbook Companion (find details HERE)
Primary Music Leader Facebook Group (find details HERE)
Gospel Art Book – take it apart! (find details HERE)
Board – you can tweak almost any activity to only involve the chalkboard (find details HERE)
camillesprimaryideas.com (New Chorister’s tab) (find details HERE)

Singing Time Props

Music Bag (find details HERE)
Wiggle Worm Jar (find details HERE)
Hand Bells (find details HERE)
Primary Digital Playlist (Christmas gift to the kids for the upcoming year) (find details HERE)

Common Issues

Reverence (not just the kids) – don’t be afraid to put away the activity & just sit (find my reverence activities HERE as a suggestion)
Not getting full 20 minutes – go before the sharing time lesson
Substitutes – utilize the stake primary music leader & presidency (more suggestions HERE)

2017 Singing Time Schedule

➢ JANUARY – As a Child of God (suggested lesson plan HERE)

➢ FEBRUARY – Choose the Right (suggested lesson plan HERE)

➢ MARCH – Stand for the Right (suggested lesson plan HERE) (I will be teaching Dare to do Right instead this year – more to come!)

➢ APRIL – (your choice) Had I Been a Child (suggested lesson plan HERE)

➢ MAY – When I Am Baptized (suggested lesson plan HERE)

➢ JUNE – Nephi’s Courage (suggested lesson plan HERE)

➢ JULY – (your choice) Every Star is Different (suggested lesson plan HERE)

➢ AUGUST – I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus (suggested lesson plan HERE)

Lesson Plan for teaching the 1st verse to As a Child of God:

• simplified ASL YouTube Video: (find details HERE)

Each music leader was to learn the simplified ASL associated with the phrase and teach it to the group: (I printed the below phrases that you can download below for each chorister to place around their neck using a string or to pin to their chest)

I came to earth