So your primary has their songs all learned, the children’s parts are written and the program outline has been put together. You are now ready to review! I have a few simple primary program review ideas that will help your presentation run smoothly!
If your primary is anything like my ward, we don’t have the full 2nd hour to spend in the chapel. The next ward comes in 30 minutes after we leave sacrament meeting.
That doesn’t leave us much time in the chapel to run through our presentation. And we’ve decided to not do a Saturday practice. Ain’t nobody got time for that, right!?
So our ward will be doing a PARTIAL chapel review and a PARTIAL in-the-primary-room review. In a nutshell, we never do a full run through of the entire program. And it always works great!
That’s not to say we don’t have a good idea of how things are going to run, heavens no! But there’s no need to hear every child’s part in the microphone and to sing every single song in the chapel in order to feel prepared for the primary program.
If the program runs a little short, our bishop is advised to take up a little more time. If the program runs a little long, the bishop won’t give any remarks.
Chapel Review
The Sunday before our primary program, our kids meet in the chapel. We do not hold separate classes this day. We omit opening exercises until we are back in the primary room. Remember, we our time is very limited here.
Then we get everyone seated up on the stand as soon as possible. Younger classes in the front, older classes in the back. With teachers seated next to their classes.
Once everyone has an assigned seat, we sing! We sing 1, maybe 2 songs of the ones I feel could use a little polishing. Or, if we’re short on time, the shortest songs possible ;).
Posting Words
The kids are familiar with this format as I use it a lot in singing time. Find more details HERE on posting words if you need.
If you are able to spend more time in the chapel, I HIGHLY recommend my chapel balloon review activity HERE (I also have details where I like to stand in the chapel when I lead).
Once we’ve sung a song or two, we let each of the teachers and kids come up and say their name into the microphone. This ensures everyone knows how to get up to the microphone and back to their seats.
And that’s it! We head back to the primary room! This takes less than 20 minutes! And we all have a general idea of the logistics of the primary program.
But wait! I know what you’re thinking … we still have at least 30 minutes we need to fill! Never fear! We continue to prep for the program from the primary room after a quick opening exercises.
Color Primary Program Covers
We start by coloring sacrament meeting program covers! This activity comes in REAL handy right about now! Check out details about my program covers HERE.
Our primary has about 25 kids so they will each be coloring 2-3 programs. And if they all don’t get colored, no biggie!
TIP: Have your primary counselors offer the opening and closing prayers. This is often the hardest part for putting together programs (next to finding speakers).
The program is all printed inside and out, ready to be colored then distributed come program day. And while the kids are busy coloring, play your program songs using the Gospel for Kids App on a phone and speaker.
If you haven’t used that app, I’ve got more details HERE.
After coloring, if you have time, let every child come to the microphone and speak their part. That will give you a general idea of how long the speaking parts will take.
And that’s a wrap! You’re all ready to tackle your program! If you have any other primary program review ideas, tips or tricks leave a comment!
Here’s one from Karrie:
Ask your organist to play your program songs as prelude music in sacrament. I’m told it is fun to see the kids reaction and gets the songs in their heads.
2021 Primary Program Outline
If your primary could use a boost writing your primary program outline, make sure to read through my post HERE for some help.
Then if your primary needs help reviewing program songs, make sure to check out my Restoration Review activity HERE. It’s been very successful in my primary!
So now your primary program reviewing is finished! It’s time to relax and enjoy the holidays in singing time! YAY!!
2 thoughts on “Primary Program Review Ideas”
While preparing and typing the words for the songs to display during the Primary program, I’m wondering how you split a “long” verse, plus how much do you vary the type/font size?
Thanks for your response.
Hi Kay!
I try to keep the verses to one page. Occasionally the verse is long so I split it. I just split it in half so half the verse is on one page and the other half is on the second page. The font I use is Cambria and the size varies. I just try to get the words to be as big as possible (anywhere from font size 45 – 75). I also adjust the margins in order to also make the words bigger.
I hope that helps!
~Camille