Gather the following items: backpack, eraser, glue, markers, ruler, calculator, pencil, scissors, sharpener.
Tape the instructions (download the printable available to access at the bottom of this post & cut out the 8 strips – there’s a PDF version or a Word document to edit if you need) on all the items except the backpack (that’s just for holding everything):
ERASER: “Erase” (don’t sing) the words “family(ies)” (including all the pronouns like they, them, etc.) and “forever” in the song Families Can Be Together Forever.
GLUE: Glue your legs together and your arms to your sides so you hold really still while we sing On a Golden Springtime.
MARKERS: Divide the primary into 2 groups based on what everyone is wearing. Hold up 2 markers, one for each group and kids move to that color. If kids don’t have that color, hold up 2 more colors, repeating until everyone has been assigned a group. Sing A Child’s Prayer with the 2 groups created.
RULER: Measure the volume as we sing I Am a Child of God. Point to 1 inch for softer up to 12 inches for louder.
CALCULATOR: Count how many different prophets we sing about in Book of Mormon Stories.
PENCIL: Write with your hands (sign language) to the song If the Savior Stood Beside Me.
SCISSORS: “Cut” the song When I am Baptized by singing it staccato (choppy or with short sounds).
SHARPENER: Sharpen the song by enunciating each word for My Heavenly Father Loves Me.
Before primary, hide the 8 objects around the room, placing the empty back pack up front. Or an alternative is to simply have good singers come up, pick an item out of the back pack and read the instructions.
Tell the kids you need help getting ready for school and need to find your school supplies. Have the primary help you find the hidden items. As they are found, follow the instructions taped on each item then place them into the backpack.
**If you have more time, throw in more school supplies with other songs!
Here are a few more suggestions from readers if you need them (thank you!!):
HIGHLIGHTER: With a low-beam flashlight, highlight one class at a time to be singing – change as often or as infrequently as you wish.
EARBUDS: Put imaginary earbuds in your ears and sing the song A CAPELLA (without the piano).
I also saw a fun twist to this idea HERE. Explaining how all these primary songs can help you at school:
A Child’s Prayer: We can pray to Heavenly Father anytime, anywhere–if we are nervous about a test or having a hard day– and how He always hears and answers those prayers that we say.
If the Savior Stood Beside Me: Think of the words to this song to help remind you how to treat other kids at school (ex: Do you think Jesus would go and sit by someone who was sitting all by themselves at lunch or help someone who dropped their books on the floor…)
I Am a Child of God: When you’re getting ready each morning look in the mirror and remember that you a child of God and you should act like such.
My Heavenly Father Loves Me: He gave me my mind, my life, my heart…we should use our minds to learn at school.
Book of Mormon Stories: Read the scriptures each day before school or bedtime.
When I am Baptized: “I want to be the best I can” each day at school
Families Can Be Together Forever: Our families are there to support us each day.
On A Golden Springtime: We can have faith that Heavenly Father will help us while at school.
5 thoughts on “Back-To-School Review”
I used your previous guide to this activity and assigned songs to each school supply and we did this last week. It was so much fun!
I also happened to choose "Families Can Be Together Forever" for the ERASER. With Senior primary, we even "erased" all the pronouns that refer to families (they, them, etc) – made for a good brain exercise 🙂
Other supplies I incorporated:
HIGHLIGHTER: With a low-beam flashlight, highlight one class at a time to be singing – change as often or as infrequently as you wish.
EARBUDS: Put imaginary earbuds in your ears and sing the song A CAPELLA (without the piano).
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR TALENTS AND IDEAS!!
Hi Karli!
Great ideas, thank you so much for sharing!!
~Camille
Hi Camille, I was debating between doing the primary birthday singing activity or the back to school activity this week. I was curious if you already did the birthday activity or if you are skipping it to do back to school. Thanks!
Hi Amy,
I'll be doing the back to school activity this week as I did the birthday party last week :). I hope that clarifies.
~Camille
Thank you Camille