When the church publishes an activity for teaching I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus, you know you can’t go wrong! Use it with a variation that involves finger lights and this activity will definitely become a memorable one! I’ve also linked several other ideas for teaching this classic primary song in singing time as well!
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Keyword Visuals
The idea and visuals for this activity was originally published in the 2012 Outline for Sharing Time (when those used to be the curriculum used for singing time).
There were, however, no visuals created for the 2nd verse so I created some to match! Check it all out HERE for the first verse and HERE for the second.
If you want an additional element of fun, turn the lights off and use finger lights for the pointing! I own these here (Amazon affiliate link):
A Children's Songbook Companion
A Children’s Songbook Companion contains a singing time lesson plan for every single song in the Children’s Songbook. More details on this book can be found HERE.
Merry Bells
Bring in Merry Bells and play I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus using handbells! Check out more details about using handbells in primary HERE. There are several options for using Merry Bells bell charts:
- Purchase Merry Bells Primary Songs DVD HERE
- Purchase Merry Bells Single Notes digital file HERE
- Purchase Merry Bells Multi Notes digital file HERE
- Purchase Merry Bells charts to print HERE
Make sure to use coupon code CPI for 10% off your order!
Sharla Dance
Sharla Dance has SEVERAL ideas for teaching this song. Too many to link here so head on over to her website HERE to peruse her ideas!
Simplified ASL
If you want a specialist on ASL, however, you need Holly! I love her demonstration videos with the “why” behind the sign.
Her signs follow closely along with the church’s ASL for this song:
Then make sure to check out my post HERE for more helpful tips for teaching sign language in singing time!
Primary Singing
Primary Singing also has TONS of singing time ideas HERE for teaching I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus.
LDS Primary Printables
Check out a few more ides HERE from LDS Primary Printables as well!
I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus History
This information comes from Stories from The Children’s Songbook by Sister Pat Graham (more information on that book HERE).
Janice Perry was asked by local Church leaders to write a song on kindness for a regional Primary conference. She said, “As I pondered and prayed about that subject I felt sure the best way to approach it was to plant the idea in the children’s hearts of trying to become like the kindest man who ever lived, our Savior Jesus Christ.” The result was a song that Michael F. Moody, chairman of the Church Music Committee at the time, said contained “the essence of the gospel.” The song was first published in the Ensign.
Sister Perry was born in Ogden, Utah, and raised in Vale, Oregon. She received her musical training at Brigham Young University and has composed songs, musicals, and five sacred cantatas, two of which have been performed in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Many of her songs have been published in the Church magazines.
Access this in my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing my Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus.
9 thoughts on “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Singing Time Ideas”
I can only get the keyword visuals for I’m Trying to be Like Jesus on one page. Is there a way to get them on one page for each symbol?
Hi June!
Hi June!
You can find all the printables for I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus in my Resource Library. Everything should be there that you need including the visuals on individual pages. I’ve emailed you the direct link. I hope that helps!
~Camille
The printables have been a hit! I mix up the pictures and the jr primary finds the correct one to put back in order on the chalkboard. To make it more challenging for senior primary hide the pieces under the chair or around the room. They also like to take words out that they aren’t allowed to sing if it’s no longer on the board.
Great ideas, thank you for sharing your variations!
~Camille
I’m finding that often you suggest extra pictures example : I’m trying to be like Jesus, and the wording you use is find these pictures in the CSC then list page #’s. What is the CSC?
Hi Ellen!
Do you have a blog link post of mine you can share with me where it references CSC? I’m not sure I know what you are talking about. I’ve looked at the posts for I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus and don’t see anything referring to CSC. The only thing I can think of is the Children’s Songbook Companion but I don’t think I ever refer to it as CSC and I don’t use it with this song in any of my posts. Could you be referring to GAB which is the Gospel Art Book? Here’s an example where I refer to it:
https://camillesprimaryideas.com/2022/11/i-want-to-live-the-gospel.html
Hopefully if you can clarify your question a little more, I can help better answer it.
~Camille
Okay, I think I understand. You are referring to the page from The Children’s Songbook Companion for I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus. This book contains lesson plans for every song in the songbook. I have more details about it here if you are interested:
https://camillesprimaryideas.com/a-childrens-songbook-companion
CSC stands for Children’s Songbook Companion so it’s telling you to use the images found on pages 63, 104 and 133 in the Children’s Songbook Companion book that pertain to showing kindness. The entire book can be downloaded using the link above so you can scroll through the various pages you need. I’ve also added them to to you. There are also corresponding images in the Children’s Songbook Companion Artbook that you can also get from the link above. I hope that helps!
~Camille
I consider myself to be quite IT savvy but I can’t see any link either
Hi Helen!
I’m not quite sure I which link you are referring to in the post. If you don’t mind clarifying, I can better help you get it.
But all my printables are filed in my Resource Library. In order to access that, you must click on the green button at the bottom of the post that says “ACCESS RESOURCE LIBRARY” and enter your email address, you will be redirected to that.
If you watch the Tutorial Video that is right above that button, that may help you as well.
~Camille