Teach We Thank Thee, O God for a Prophet using shaker eggs! Your primary will enjoy engaging with this hymn’s strong beat!
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Teaching hymns can be HARD! But not with Sharla Dance’s help! I love her suggestion HERE that I tweaked slightly to involve shaker eggs. Because, why not? This hymn has such a strong steady beat that the eggs make a great addition!
Now, it can be done without eggs in a pinch, but I strongly suggest you get a set!
I recommend these here (Amazon affiliate link):
You can also make your own eggs shakers if you need. Check out my post HERE with more details.
Shaker Pattern
As is with most hymns I teach in primary, I recommend teaching only the first verse. Hymns tend to be long and wordy, thus overwhelming the primary kids and the music leader ;).
That said, this is for the first verse only but can easily be used for all verses.
Demonstrate this pattern using an egg shaker in each hand:
- Patsch, patsch (tap thighs twice)
- Click, click (tap eggs together twice)
- Shake eggs above head for 2 counts
Have the children follow your pattern as you and the teachers sing. The pattern is used on these words:
- Thank thee: patsch, patsch
- god for: click click
- prophet: shake above head
Pause and ask who we are thankful for in this hymn? [a prophet]. Then continue.
- Guide us: patsch, patsch
- these la-: click click
- days: shake above head
Pause and ask what does he do for us? [guides us]. Then continue.
- Thank thee: patsch, patsch
- sending: click click
- gospel: shake above head
Pause and ask what he has sent us? [the gospel]. Then continue.
- lighten: patsch, patsch
- minds with: click click
- rays: shake above head
Pause then ask what does the gospel help us do? [lighten our minds]. Quickly discuss what that means [the gospel gives us knowledge]
Stop and demonstrate this next pattern:
- With arms above head, create 2 rainbow shapes side-to-side with eggs.
- Then reverse the actions with arms hung at sides creating to upside down rainbows shapes with eggs
Have the children follow your pattern as you and the teachers sing. The pattern is used on these words:
- We thank thee for every blessing (4 rainbow shapes)
- Bestowed by the bounteous hand (4 upside down rainbow shapes)
Pause and tell the primary that bounteous means generous. Heavenly Father gives us so much.
Then go back to the original pattern for the rest of the verse:
- feel it: patsch, patsch
- pleasure: click click
- serve thee: shake above head
Pause and ask what is a pleasure or what brings us joy? [to serve our prophet and ultimately Heavenly Father]
- love to: patsch, patsch
- -bey thy: click click
- command: shake above head
Bear Testimony
Bear testimony that the prophet was called by Heavenly Father. And if we follow the prophet, he will help guide us back to Him.
Demonstration Video
Check out my demonstration video fore more details:
You can also find this video on my YouTube channel. I’d love it if you’d like and subscribe HERE!
3 thoughts on “We Thank Thee, O God for a Prophet”
Hi! I can’t find the link to click on for the demonstration video.
Ignore my comment. I just found it over on YouTube. Thanks!
Oh good! I hope it helps!
~Camille