The Things I Do seems to be an often over-looked song! But it has such a great message that I decided to swap it with I Want to Be a Missionary Now. Different song, similar message!
But if you need the lesson plan for I Want to Be a Missionary Now, check it out HERE.
Whenever I need help for coming up with a lesson plan for singing time, I almost ALWAYS turn to the book A Children’s Songbook Companion. It’s one of my favorite singing time resources! More details about the book can be found HERE. You might consider getting a copy to go along with your calling.
Coming up for a lesson plan for The Things I Do was no different – I went straight to this book and voila…idea sparked!!
Attention Getter
I love the attention getter suggested for this song! It’s simple but a such a great visual!
Simply fill a clear jar or glass full of water. Ask how many drops do you think are in this jar of water? Take answers. Then ask if you were one drop of water, could you make a difference to the rest of the water in the jar?
Explain how one drop can influence all the others by adding one drop of food coloring to the water and notice how it flows through the whole jar. Help children see that the things they do can influence others and help to spread the gospel.
Use the flip chart HERE (created by ldschoristers) to sing along with the piano. There’s also a sing along video on the the church’s sing along app now called Gospel for Kids (more details on that app HERE if you need).
I can’t figure out a way to share the direct link, however (help appreciated!). Ask the children to clap along as you clap out the rhythm of the song.
Ask the following questions also from A Children’s Songbook Companion.
Verse 1:
- How does the song say I can show that I know the word of God is true? [By the things I do]
- The song says I am too young to go away on a mission. What words does it use that means far away? [Abroad]
Clap hands as you sing it again. Point out the long-short-long rhythm.
Verse 2:
- When a neighbor sees me, how will he judge the gospel? [By how I act]
- What word do we sing on the highest note? [Act]
- Find the two sets of rhyming words. [Neighborhood-good, play-day]
Clap hands as you sing it again. Point out the long-short-long rhythm.
Verse 3:
- How will my friend know that church is a sacred place? [By my reverence and my happy face]
- How will I act in church? [With dignity]
- How does this verse sound different than the other two? [The rhythm is smooth]
Clap hands as you sing it again. Point out the steady, smooth beat that is different from the others!
Verse 4:
- In everything I do, my friend will see that I am a member of the church, just as I say I am. The song uses another word for “say.” What is the word? [Profess]
- If I am a good example, what might happen when the missionaries knock on my friend’s door? [He’ll say, “Come in and tell me more.”]
- Find the two sets of rhyming words in this verse. [see-be, door-more]
Clap hands as you sing it again. Point out the long-short-long rhythm that is used again.
Bear testimony that even though you are too young to be called on a full-time mission, you can spread the gospel by being a good example.
Home Centered
If your primary is home centered, easily modify this lesson plan to accommodate families at home! Give the instructions above regarding the jar of water and food coloring to do at home.
Refer to the Gospel for Kids app for the sing along video. A great way to introduce families to this app as well!!
Using that video, have families clap along to the rhythm and answer the above questions to each verse.
For more ideas on home centered singing time, check out all my posts HERE.
