2021 Sing-Along Videos

Every month I like to take one week to review all the songs we’ve learned so far for the program (find more details HERE if you need). In January it’s obvious that we have none to review. So instead I like to do a PREVIEW of all the songs we’ll be learning for the year. And to do this, I present 2021 Sing-Along videos in singing time and the kids LOVE them!

I’ve got several variations below for implementing this lesson plan so hopefully there’s an option that will work for your primary…

In past years, I’ve spent HOURS creating sing-along videos. And in more recent years, others have pitched in and helped me create them (scroll through all the videos we’ve collectively done in past years HERE). But no more! Yay!

Sing Along Hymns app

Last year, I was introduced to the church’s Sing Along Hymns app (formerly called LDS Sing-Along). I downloaded it to my iPhone for free (just search for Sing Along Hymns). Can anyone tell me if it is available for Android users?? Last year, the app was only available for IOS.

The app is SO SLICK! Especially considering all the work I’ve put in past years to create my own sing-along videos that aren’t nearly as cool as these.

I simply downloaded the app, created a playlist (I entitled my playlist 2021 Sing-Along Videos), and searched for the primary songs and hymns to add, making sure they were in the order I want. Every song I needed was there!! Then I hit play and oh my…it played the entire playlist!! My playlist came to 15 total minutes – PERFECT!! This took less than 5 minutes to put together. Can you tell I’m freaking out a bit??

Then to view these on the TV, you need a cable and I’m not sure what kind.

Create a YouTube Playlist

My second variation while still remaining digital is to use a YouTube playlist. This playlist HERE was created by Allie. It contains all the suggested songs for 2021 Music for Singing Time and a few others.

I’d suggest downloading these videos to your device. If you need help downloading videos from YouTube, checkout this tutorial HERE that Rachel shared on FB!! (Read through the comments there for help with Android settings). A HUGE thank you for both of these!!

Sing-Along Videos Online

There are several sing-along videos on churchofjesuschrist.org HERE. Just be aware that not all the songs are included. Download what you need on to your device.

Then continue to hook up your device to the TV the same way as I have suggested above.

Sing-Along Flip Charts

Now, not techy? No problem! You can download and print flip charts for most of these songs from jollyjenn.com. Simply bring the songs on your phone or CD (if you made a 2021 Primary Program Songs CD, your life will be that much easier! Find details on my CD HERE).

I’d suggest placing each flip chart in plastic sheet protectors and putting them in a binder for easy flipping. It may be a lot of flip charts but if you plan on using them later in the year, you’ll be saving yourself work later on.

Live Musical Performance

And my last option is to ask various ward members to come in and do a musical performance of the songs! The more variety you have, the better! Ask a few Young Women, a family, an older couple, the primary presidency, etc.

Sing-Along Worksheet

Now, to break up each song, I created this simple worksheet for the kids to fill out as they are watching.

I decided that we’ll only have 6 songs for our program. There are 2 songs that repeat in February and again in August and then May and July. With singing time still currently canceled, 6 will be plenty!

Odds are, some of your song choices are different than mine. I created a blank worksheet with 8 spots to fill in your program songs.

You can download these at my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing my Resource Library are at the bottom of this post. Both the blank version and the filled in version are in the same 2021 Sing-Along Videos document so print what you need.

If you want to edit the blank one to add in your songs, I know how to do it on a Mac (if you know how on a PC, leave a comment!):

Download the singing time schedule PDF document
Open the document in Preview and click on Tools > Annotate > Text
A text box will appear in the middle of the document. Drag and drop it to where you’d like to type text
Repeat with more text boxes (can copy and paste works well) until you’ve filled the document

You can also simply hand write the songs before you photo copy (the font I used is Cambria, size 24 if you want to try to edit this with a literal cut and paste ;).

I know that the little Jr. kiddos won’t understand most of the worksheet but if you still want to use it, they will have something to color while you watch the videos ;). Or if you want, simply omit the worksheet for the little kids as the videos alone will be enough on their own!

So, dim the lights, dismiss the pianist ;), pass out a coloring utensil to all the kids, along with a worksheet and push “play.” I’m going to encourage the kids to sing along as much as they can and if there are songs they don’t know, they can go home and listen to their CD’s that were given at Christmas. Check out details on my CD HERE.

Home Centered or Virtual

Now, if your singing time is still accomplished with distance, never fear! This is an EASY activity to do! If you have a virtual singing time, simply play the videos and make sure the kids have a worksheet to fill out.

For home centered, send the link for the YouTube playlist listed above and the 2021 Sing Along worksheet. The kids can view the songs listed on the worksheet as they listen to the songs in the playlist.

And if you created a 2021 Doctrine and Covenants Digital Playlist, half the work is already done for you! They can simply scan the QR code to get to the YouTube playlist then fill in their worksheet! Check out my post for the Digital Playlist HERE.