tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post2362108811586364258..comments2023-12-07T01:55:07.320-07:00Comments on The Children Sing: Blog Give Away! "Whooooo Am I?" magnetsKathleenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00670017068516575306noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-20666459057268062392010-08-10T14:38:49.607-06:002010-08-10T14:38:49.607-06:00I'm the chorister of our small branch with onl...I'm the chorister of our small branch with only 2 children. Ages 6 and 10. My advice would be to plan ahead and work hard to give the children a GREAT singing time no matter what the situation. And when you get discouraged, don't forget to pray. <br />Thanks for all you do!Mariann Alexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07817146439908939214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-22798016184492492302010-08-09T18:51:03.515-06:002010-08-09T18:51:03.515-06:00Best advice I have ever received was to plan at le...Best advice I have ever received was to plan at least a month in advance but aim for 6 months. If the General Board can plan for a year we can plan for 6 months. Then be flexible. If you are prepared you will be more open to the promptings of the spirit.Queenie Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14487675475627584430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-37476381836659197282010-08-09T15:15:58.725-06:002010-08-09T15:15:58.725-06:00I was just called as chorister 2 weeks ago, and ye...I was just called as chorister 2 weeks ago, and yesterday was my first Sunday in primary. I've been having a hard time wrapping my head (and heart) around this call, and after a very prayerful evening I found your blog. I read your post titled "An Invitation to Sing" and was instantly impressed that this is the right calling for me. Thank you so much for not only the wonderful and creative ideas, but the spiritual thoughts as well. Like many of the other commenters, I would really love to read your ideas on teaching new songs, particularly what you're doing on the current program songs (when we start them in January). Thank you again - you are an answer to prayers!Brittneyhttp://brittandlu.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-25005051225935919262010-08-08T23:46:28.821-06:002010-08-08T23:46:28.821-06:00Jessica J.
Ogden, Utah
I would have to say the bes...Jessica J.<br />Ogden, Utah<br />I would have to say the best advice would be to first know the music that you're teaching and make it fun for the kids so that they'll be excited to learn a new song or review old ones.<br />These are darling! Thank you for your willingness to share your talent!<br />jjensen1109@yahoo.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-21110667344940995882010-08-08T17:15:51.952-06:002010-08-08T17:15:51.952-06:00This is the first time I have left a comment on yo...This is the first time I have left a comment on your blog. I am new to this calling. While I know a lot about music, and have been in primary forever I struggle with teaching the older primary kids!! They get bored. Your blog has so many ideas that have worked well for them and I really appreciate it.<br /><br />I guess I can leave a successful singing time that I do, we do it alot because the kids love it. I made a big thinking bubble out of poster board and wrote across the top "What do you think about during singing time?" then in a bag I put pictures that go along with some of the primary songs (Example: bucket of popcorn - popcorn popping, Book of Mormon - Book of mormon stories the possibilities are endless and I add to it all the time.) I call a child to come to the front and stand in front of the bubble and let all the other kids try to decide what he/she is thinking. The child infront of the bubble doesn't know what he/she is thinking until we start singing the song that was drawn out of the bag.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06520964621183245485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-85674445531824416362010-08-08T14:47:52.296-06:002010-08-08T14:47:52.296-06:00Those Owls are sooo cute! thanks for the chance t...Those Owls are sooo cute! thanks for the chance to win them!!!<br /><br />I am pretty new (I have been in for about 3 or 4 months). I would love advice on how to tech jr primary new songs. they get so rowdy, and since they cant read, it is hard to think of creative ways to teach them. I would love any advice! thanks again for this chance to win!!!April and Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05460196871393554472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-39882398673277796752010-08-08T12:17:21.895-06:002010-08-08T12:17:21.895-06:00My advice to a brand new Music Leader would be to ...My advice to a brand new Music Leader would be to bear your testimony as often as possible. The songs we sing offer the children a chance to bear THEIR testimony through song, but they always love to hear ours. And...stay true to your own style of teaching. Previous music leaders may have done things differently, but change is always good! =)tasrqtznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-87407811077054648302010-08-08T12:05:15.649-06:002010-08-08T12:05:15.649-06:00My advice would be to get down on the kids level. ...My advice would be to get down on the kids level. I like to walk out into the primary to be closer to them. When you are doing a song and some aren't singing or paying attention I like to make a point to go up to them and smile big while singing this usually encourages them to sing with me. If nothing else it lets them know that I care about them participating. (I do this more with junior primary, but it can be especially useful with the back row boys in senior).Joseph & Juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10214313504631107696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-71549841638960259082010-08-08T11:18:50.738-06:002010-08-08T11:18:50.738-06:00I just found your blog! Lucky me! I've been ...I just found your blog! Lucky me! I've been the chorister for almost 2 years now and the one thing that I'm really good at is testifying to the children. I forget words, names, game rules, tunes, etc. all the time. I'm not a talented chorister. But I always testify of the truths we learn in the songs, and I know the children feel the Spirit.ecuakimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16169162384137098183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-90128337490366914102010-08-08T10:15:16.549-06:002010-08-08T10:15:16.549-06:00I think a new chorister should learn to follow the...I think a new chorister should learn to follow the promptings of the Spirit and leave the rest to the Lord. It's easy to feel like you're not doing a good job, but with His help the children will somehow learn all the songs. The music will become a permanent part of the kids' (and choristers') testimonies, and that is the wonderful blessing of this calling.Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13531869346480205770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-89841298589305510922010-08-08T09:51:29.409-06:002010-08-08T09:51:29.409-06:00I think it's hard for me to just give one piec...I think it's hard for me to just give one piece of advice. I talk too much. Something really important I would say is to keep singing the old songs. Don't stop just because they were last years songs, keep singing them!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08074062337242080201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-65083898995038583062010-08-07T23:39:40.548-06:002010-08-07T23:39:40.548-06:00I think the most difficult parts of the calling ar...I think the most difficult parts of the calling are the Sundays when we are introducing a new song - especially to Jr. primary because most of them don't read yet. So I would want to help new choristers with this. My favorite way to teach new songs is with ASL signs or actions. Kids need to move!<br /><br />The owl magnets are so cute!Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14286176327262135767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-41112326078194510832010-08-07T20:38:13.008-06:002010-08-07T20:38:13.008-06:00I am a brand new chorister. I have lots to learn, ...I am a brand new chorister. I have lots to learn, I read lots of those comments, very helpful. I have appreciated you wisdom and knowledge a lot, it is fantastic getting new idea's to help with my calling. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!Laura Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01629947076445574358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-71396482650849068812010-08-07T19:47:08.369-06:002010-08-07T19:47:08.369-06:00I've been the chorister for a few months now s...I've been the chorister for a few months now so I still feel pretty new. I would like more ideas for teaching a new song. I seem to always find ways to review things or fun ways for song selections but I have a really hard time teaching a song for the first time. (Those owls are so dang cute!)Rob and Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14598231148289985068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-59666287514231234642010-08-07T19:05:11.500-06:002010-08-07T19:05:11.500-06:00I am fairly new to this calling and the first week...I am fairly new to this calling and the first week I was absolutely terrified! I really am not musical at all! Not a great singer. Can't read music. Never had a primary calling... etc. I very quickly learned that you need no musical talent to teach music to children!! You need to have fun and be energetic. You need to know them and love them. And you can not be shy or embaressed while your up there! Thanks for your blog! I love all the ideas, and it really helps get my creative juices flowing as well :)Genelle Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13822441842439641754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-80915081406191479062010-08-07T16:27:41.891-06:002010-08-07T16:27:41.891-06:00I've been the Primary Chorister for about a ye...I've been the Primary Chorister for about a year and a half. I had never done anything musical before, besides singing to my own children, so I was nervous. My best advice for someone who is new to this calling is 1)pray, 2)plan ahead, and 3)practice in the mirror. I find that if I do these things, I feel more calm and open to inspiration. Kathleen, thank you for this wonderful resource.Austin Pettithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17404002462133339603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-14657470227551217232010-08-07T16:16:05.340-06:002010-08-07T16:16:05.340-06:00My advice would be: 1.) Be enthusiastic! 2.) Don&...My advice would be: 1.) Be enthusiastic! 2.) Don't be afraid to sing the songs for the kids instead of just saying the words - they don't care if you have a wonderful voice, and it's a lot easier for them to learn this way. 3.) Pray for inspiration 4.) Don't think every week has to be something super exciting with all kinds of bells and whistles - sometimes the simplest things turn out to be the best!<br />The owl magnets are so cute!Ruthiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16581775577781339936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-28020084565783034472010-08-07T10:54:01.016-06:002010-08-07T10:54:01.016-06:00I just moved to a brand new branch and was promptl...I just moved to a brand new branch and was promptly called as Primary Chorister. I haven't even done my first week yet. I bookmarked this site awhile ago from a friend's blog - good thing! Looking for ideas and have been so motivated and uplifted by all of the comments left so far. I'm really excited about my new calling but I don't know any of their names and the Sacrament program is 10 weeks away and I don't know how prepared they are yet. Thank you for the owl magnet giveaway - cute idea! Thanks for the advice and reminding me it's not about the visual aids it's about teaching with the Spirit!Stephanie H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05657598996269679810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-67763610724043365332010-08-07T10:00:14.457-06:002010-08-07T10:00:14.457-06:00The best advice I could give a new chorister is to...The best advice I could give a new chorister is to have fun and love what you do. The children will love singing time if they see that you love singing time. Also, no matter what, love the children that you are teaching. They are so very precious!<br /><br />ps. these owls are so adorable!<br /><br />Andreaandidanielshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14945850775724773473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-89469981077534433832010-08-06T16:16:19.798-06:002010-08-06T16:16:19.798-06:00The best piece of advice I could give a new choris...The best piece of advice I could give a new chorister is to have fun with the calling. It really is a fun calling that requires alot of work to be successful! I think that the internet is a wonderful resource and take help from all the many blogs and ideas you can find! And breathe and good luck!Darwin and Candace Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09947031776371498281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-39742316315750652792010-08-06T10:39:26.431-06:002010-08-06T10:39:26.431-06:00Love all your post! The best advice I could give ...Love all your post! The best advice I could give is to be organized. I plan my songs 1 month at a time.I give the songs to my piano player and the primary presidency. This has been very benificial, especially during the summer when I am gone on vacation. Thanks for all your suggestions!Jen Allredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01716526728982026302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-65714728604450857392010-08-06T07:41:03.457-06:002010-08-06T07:41:03.457-06:00My best advice would be to get council from someon...My best advice would be to get council from someone who has 'been there, done that'! Also to buy yourselfthe book entitled, "A Children's Songbook Companion". Cute Giveaway!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16266879724801426628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-21581825524024453352010-08-05T23:04:39.489-06:002010-08-05T23:04:39.489-06:00My best advice for a new chorister would be to rel...My best advice for a new chorister would be to rely on the spirit to do the teaching. Singing time can be such a fun magical time. Sometimes the chorister feels pressure to entertain the kids--this can get overwhelming. When planning singing time I always try to keep things pretty simple and always say a prayer to let the spirit do the teaching. This has helped me maintain the proper perspective and not allow myself to get sidetracked on games that detract from the spirit.Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15426865519436876607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-4529072281171136192010-08-05T23:01:07.099-06:002010-08-05T23:01:07.099-06:00My best piece of advice for a new chorister is to ...My best piece of advice for a new chorister is to rely on the spirit to teach. Singing time can be such a magical fun time, but at times a chorister can feel alot of pressure to "entertain." When I start to feel overwhelmed I try to remember to simplify and rely on the spirit to guide me in how to teach the children. I'm glad it's not all up to me!Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15426865519436876607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6733155484339450711.post-13966201727485290322010-08-05T21:25:51.483-06:002010-08-05T21:25:51.483-06:00I found your blog recently and love it. I am a new...I found your blog recently and love it. I am a new primary chorister myself but have helped my mom and others when they were primary chorister. I would have to say one piece of advice I would give to new choristers is to remember it is children you are working with. :) I know obvious, but it is easy to forget that you have to really work at keeping their attention and sometimes what you have planned for a certain Sunday might not be what the children need or have the attention span for that day. So have other ideas ready at a moments notice.Jamiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09421456701374355217noreply@blogger.com