What do castanets and a clock have in common? They’re the perfect pair for teaching I Need Thee Every Hour in singing time! Castanets help children feel a steady beat, while a clock visual reinforces the message of needing the Savior every single hour.
Providing both the castanets and a clock adds simple movement and visual understanding as you teach this hymn to children.
When teaching hymns, I recommend only teaching the first verse. However, this lesson plan can be used to teach all the verses so adapt it as you need.
For this activity, you need this picture flip chart:
And these clock hands:
These printables are filed on the Resource Library page under Song Title > I Need Thee Every Hour
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Print the clock hands on card stock, laminate and cut out.
Susan Fitch also has this flip chart for I Need Thee Every Hour available in her Etsy shop!
Song lyrics are not included…
This actually gives you added flexibility!
✔ Write in any language
✔ Customize wording if needed
✔ Laminate pages and use dry erase markers
✔ Erase words to quiz children or create memorization challenges
You also need enough castanets (purchased or DIY) for each Primary child to have one.
TIP: No castanets? No Problem! Children can simply clap their hands.
Before Primary, draw a large clock on the board with numbers. Add the clock hands using magnets.
Discuss how clocks tick. Display a castanet. As you and the teachers sing, click the castanet to the rhythm of the song. Whenever you sing “hour” click the castanet in a large circle like a clock. Ask the children, who the song says we “need every hour” and take answers [thee, meaning the Savior].
Pass out a castanet to each child. Sing the first phrase and post the corresponding flip chart page on the board, clicking to the rhythm. Stop and place the clock hands to create a time of day. Ask children what they would need Heavenly Father and Jesus’s help at that time of day (or night) and take answers.
Post the next phrase of the flip chart and sing it, clicking to the rhythm. Stop and place the clock hands to create another time of day. Again, ask the children what they would need from heavenly Father and Jesus at that time of day (or night). Repeat until all the phrases have been sung, using various times of day.
Bear testimony that Heavenly Father loves us and is always aware of us, no matter the time or situation.
Check out this demonstration video for teaching I Need Thee Every Hour in singing time using this lesson plan:
These printables are filed on the Resource Library page under Song Title > I Need Thee Every Hour
Singing time just got even easier! With my Singing Time To-Go, all you have to do is print! Be prepared for the entire month – every month!
Be prepared in singing time for the entire month – every month! And all you have to do is print!
These singing time ideas for teaching the Primary song, Love Is Spoken Here will help your Primary fall in love all over again with this song! My favorite is using a match-up activity that puts the double melody together! But whatever you choose, these Love Is Spoken Here singing time ideas are bound to accommodate your Primary’s learning style and needs!
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Hundreds of printables organized by song title and category that coincide with my singing time lesson plan posts!
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Singing time just got even easier! With my Singing Time To-Go, all you have to do is print! Be prepared for the entire month – every month!
