Random Explanation

Practical help and ideas are so important to new Primary choristers. The whole reason I decided to blog, in the first place, was to make my primary chorister "file" available to my daughters-in-law and my daughter who might someday receive this assignment. It occurs to me that I should try to explain what's going on in my head with this blog. It might then make a whole lot more sense to those of you who are currently trying to use it. So here is my attempt to explain what I'm doing here.

Blogging technology makes it so easy for me take something out of my primary music box, show it and explain how to use it. I can easily take the notes in my "file" and make them digital. In my posts, I try hard to show how to find an idea or how to take an idea and adapt it to be what it could be in another circumstance. In my own, humble way I am trying to give my sweet daughters the benefit of my primary chorister experience, sometime in the future when they might need it and I might be unavailable. My children tell me that this blog will be available forever. Hmm. That is kind of a scary thought.

Because I'm currently in the calling I try to use the current outline and themes as the vehicle for my explanations. And I enjoy showing what I'm currently using and doing. But, in actuality, my investment in this blog is really more in trying to show how the material can be adapted and used in different circumstances and with different content. I'm trying to show how to look beyond the current content for the "skeleton" of an idea or activity. If one can develop eyes to do this, almost any idea can be made to work for you.

I may have mentioned that I keep a master list of these idea skeletons, basic activities that can be adapted to almost any subject. I review and usually choose from this list as I prepare my singing times each week. Years ago, the church published a Sharing Time Manual and in the front was a grid with a list of basic sharing time activities on the left and where those activities were illustrated in the manual. This is how I learned how to keep and use such a list.

My posts are largely based on my master list and the post titles will often reflect this. I tend to think in terms of three main categories: methods for how to present and teach songs, ideas for song review, and ideas for teaching the gospel through "choose and review" singing times. You'll find these categories reflected in the labels. I am also trying to methodically show the musical aids I have found or made and how I use them. And then there are random thoughts and the encouragement thoughts because I so want to encourage. People who have never filled this assignment cannot imagine what it takes - it's not for sissies!

So this is where I'm coming from with this blog. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that so many people, other than my family, would be interested in this information. I realize that there are many of you who are new and inexperienced right now and need help and encouragement. I am deeply grateful that this blog might be of use to you as well.

An unexpected benefit to me, in this blogging effort, is that your comments help me know what my daughters really might want and need in the future. Your questions and comments help me refine and clarify my thoughts and so this blog might actually become what I want it to be. It might really end up filling the measure of it's creation. In your comments you are always thanking me, but in reality, these feelings are prompted by the Spirit that is in the common work we do, so I thank you back. I especially thank you for leaving comments. I can feel your faithfulness in your words and this encourages me also.

I hope you will continue to help me by asking questions and giving suggestions and ideas. If something I write about doesn't make sense, I hope someone will point it out. My daughters (and I and everyone else) will benefit greatly from you as well.

Choose and Review - Picture Match

A picture match is a simple way to create a singing time that helps connect the children to the principles taught in the primary songs. The pictures can easily be chosen to correspond in some way with whatever the monthly theme is. Taking July's theme as a sample, I have chosen 16 pictures, eight of the teaching and example of Jesus and eight more of children today who are following his teachings and example. I would choose a review song for each picture match and try to use songs that either fit the pictures or choose pictures that fit the songs I need to review. I hope that makes sense.

I would post these pictures randomly on the board and ask the children to study the pictures to find those that match. Sing the song after each match is made. Depending on the length of the songs, we might not have time to get through the whole list, but having more pictures and songs than I need gives flexibility. Experience has taught me to plan for more than I need and the children can still match the extra pictures at the end of singing time. There are many pictures and songs that would work. Here are some that illustrate the idea:

Baptism = Baptism of Jesus / Child baptism = “Baptism” (CS-100)
Scriptures = Jesus in the temple / Child studying scriptures = “Seek the Lord Early” (CS-108)
Prayer = Jesus praying / Child praying = “I Pray in Faith” (CS-14)
Temples = Temple in Jesus’ time / Temple in our time = “I Love to See the Temple” (CS-95)
Sacrament =The Last Supper / Child taking the Sacrament = “Reverently, Quietly”(CS-26)
Work = Jesus working with father / Child working with father = “Do As I’m Doing” (CS-276)
Love One Another = Jesus washing feet / Girl holding rattle = “Love One Another” (CS-136)
Reverence = Jesus cleansing temple / Reverent boy = “I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus (CS-78)

Increase the variety by listing the title of the review song on one picture and a way to sing it on the matching picture.

Sparkle Tip #4 - Work is Work

#4 - I know I have an attitude problem when I say to myself “I’m not getting a thing out of this calling. I wish I could do something else.”

I used to feel this way more when I was younger - not so much now. Now that I’m grown up I have learned a truth that you probably won’t want to hear. This is a simplified, mother-talking-here version. Callings in our church are not designed with you in mind. Rather, callings in our church exist because there is work that needs to be done. Work, especially prolonged work is usually not what we think of as fun. Work is work. It just is what it is.

Yes, I understand that work can be satisfying, fulfilling and gratifying. But sometimes it is simply work. So, don’t expect to get something out of it every week. I can find the satisfaction, gratification and fulfillment that I need in my personal gospel study and in simply rendering the service. When I begin to feel bored in a calling, I remind myself to view the calling for what it really is, a chance to serve our Heavenly Father and to build the Kingdom.

During one period of my life I relied on our three teenage boys for their help with my household work. None of them liked to do dishes. However, because they were boys and liked to eat, lots and lots of dishes needed to be washed. The design of our kitchen and our hard water did not allow for a dishwasher. I tried to teach the boys that doing dishes was no more work than sweeping floors or cleaning the toilet or washing windows or scrubbing the tub or weeding the garden. Eventually they all understood that work is work whatever you are doing. The point is that you are willing to put the time in.

I had an experience a number of years ago that helped me understand this concept in terms of my own work for Jesus. My husband was newly called as our Branch President and we live about 40 miles away from our church building. We could afford to take but one car to church. My husband had to be there early on Sunday mornings and was not ready to leave until late afternoon and sometimes into the evening. So, we went together and had to stay all day. This situation was difficult in the beginning as we all tried to adjust to it. One day I was visiting with members of the branch as they waited to speak to the Branch President. I was fretting about what I was not getting done at home. I knew the boys were tired and hungry and I was also worrying about taking care of them. Into my mind came a very strong thought. Sunday was Sunday, all day long, no matter where we were. Right then and there I decided to give Sunday to the Lord, all day long. I realized that I could do this at the church building as easily as I could do it at home. Work is work.

This change in my attitude totally changed how I felt and I think it influenced the attitude of our whole family. Consecration is a sacred thing. I no longer felt frustrated that I couldn’t be home doing Sunday things. I could still do Sunday things, different maybe, but necessary work that the Lord needed to have done. I gave up thoughts of a nice family dinner in the early afternoon and made do with simple food, like granola bars. :O) We never managed a comfortable family time in our own living room. Instead, I became a kind of “hostess in the hallway” and simply enjoyed visiting with the people who were there. We tidied the church and emptied the diaper pails and maintained the bulletin board. The boys were available to take the sacrament to shut-ins or as a companion on a visit to someone. There was time for personal study and lots and lots of time to ponder and think. After the last person left the building, we gathered in the office and visited together as my husband picked up his things. These were special teaching times for my husband and our boys, along with the long drive home, talking and visiting together. I am so thankful for that sacred time in our lives. Our family was blessed by it. At the time, I could not have identified anything that the boys and I were really “getting out of it.” But I can now.

I know that it is cliche to say that you get out of a calling that which you put into it. But really, if you are getting nothing of substance out of being the primary chorister, perhaps you need to put something more substantial into it. I have learned that even though a calling may feel like the same old dress I’ve worn for 10 years, it really is the sincere smile on my face that counts. Consecration is high-powered sparkle. I promise.

Music Aid - Category Cube

A category cube is another favorite music aid for singing time. On each side of the cube is a picture representing a category of primary songs, such as Action, Gospel, Jesus, Family, Seasons, etc. A child tosses the cube and then the children are challenged to think of a song to sing from that category. You can ask the child who rolled the cube to think of the song or open it up to the whole group. Younger kids nearly always need help.

You could adapt the idea simply by labeling pictures with the categories and then laminating them. Put the pictures in the pockets of an apron or a sack to draw from. Or, put them face up or face down on the floor and toss a bean bag to choose one. In an emergency you could just write categories on slips of paper and choose them from a basket or can, but the pictures really seem to help the kids. Rolling the cube makes the choosing more random. The same category comes up frequently when rolling the cube, but that's okay because there are so many songs still to choose in each category. If you want to remove that randomness, use either of the adaptations. This way you are sure to have each category chosen.

I have two of these 6-inch cubes with different categories. I keep one handy for when the kids have had enough of my planned activity. The cubes are also useful when I have extra time.

Choose and Review - "One Happy Girl"

In the May 2008 issue of The Friend there is an appealing article on page 20 called “One Happy Girl.” The article describes Gabriella Willson (who is now 11 years old) and how she, along with her family, is following the example of Jesus. The article is divided into paragraphs under these headings: Helping Hand, Baptism Day, Family Home Evening, Start the Day Right, and School and the Gospel. There is an additional introductory paragraph that describes Gabbi’s beautiful smile.

I have printed out the information in the paragraphs, cut them and pasted them onto the back of big yellow Smiley faces. I’ll choose an appropriate song for the subject of each paragraph. I’ll explain to the kids that we’re going to meet someone who, like them, is trying to follow the example of Jesus. They can choose one of the cards and we’ll read the brief paragraph. Then we'll sing the song. I’ll also explore with our children the things they do to follow Jesus in similar ways. And, since there are only six paragraphs describing Gabbi, I have made two of the cards ask the question “What can you do this week to follow the example of the Savior?”

This is an easy plan that I have put together ahead of time. July is usually my busiest month so I’m doing myself a favor to have things planned and prepared.

Sparkle Tip #3 - Plan to Improve Yourself

Last week I posted a quote by President James E. Faust: “The Lord can do remarkable miracles with a person of ordinary ability who is humble, faithful, and diligent in serving the Lord and seeks to improve himself. This is because God is the ultimate source of power.”

#3 - When I notice that I am in need of serious sparkle, the only tangible option I have is to make a plan to improve myself. After I have taken the necessary steps to prepare spiritually, on a continuous basis, then I need to assess what my actual weaknesses might be and to find actual strengths to emphasize.

The prophet Moroni, under extremely difficult circumstances, accepted an assignment to complete the abridgement of the record which we now have as the Book of Mormon. Although Moroni accepted the assignment and had total faith in the worth of the project, he felt insecure in his own ability to do it adequately, especially compared to the abilities of others whom he perceived as having done a better job. And he worried what others would think of his work. Moroni discussed his fears with the Lord. He said to the Lord, “I fear...” Then he reports that the Lord spoke back to him and said “my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness; And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” (Ether 12:26,27)

This promise extends to all of us who are engaged in the work of the Lord. I can sincerely think about how I can improve as a primary chorister and then decide how to begin. I can think about those skills that would make me more effective. I can try to identify people or resources to help me learn these skills.

My very favorite resource for learning how to be a primary chorister is the old training video “How To Teach a Song to Children”. I hope that it might still be available to you in your meetinghouse library. In my humble opinion, this video is simply the best. Once you know the method for teaching a song, other chorister skills can build on this foundation. I’m sorry that I don’t know if it was ever available in languages other than English. Sadly, this video is no longer available in the materials catalog. An abbreviated version called "Teaching Children to Sing" is available online.

Teaching, No Greater Call is another favorite resource that I use in my efforts to improve my abilities. There is so much to think about and ponder in this manual. I love to just read it. It might seem that the content is really focused on classroom teachers, but I don't find that to be true. As I consistently ask myself "How does this apply to my calling as chorister?" I always find the information to be of value to me. Sometimes it seems that we choristers cannot control many of the variables that affect us, like discipline and environment, that are suggested in this manual. But I find that I just need to think a bit out of the box and take some proactive measures like enlisting the help of the primary presidency.

Many stakes plan training for music leaders in the scheduled auxiliary training so don’t miss whatever instruction is offered. If it seems that nothing is planned for your calling, ask for it. The choristers in the other units in your stake will benefit from the help as well. Some stakes even have a Stake Music Leader who could work with you or at least offer helpful suggestions.

However I go about it, as I recognize my own areas of weakness and have faith in the Lord to help me, then He will strengthen me as He did Moroni and I will teach in ways that please him.

An Invitation to Sing

Zechariah prophesies: “Sing and rejoice, O Daughter of Zion, for, lo, I come, and will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.” (Zech 2:10)

Would any of us refuse such an invitation by the Lord to sing? If the act of singing will bring the Lord to dwell with me I want to be the first in line! See me waving my hand for a turn! Oops, wrong thinking. There is no line, no turns. We can all sing together. Lets do it now and bring him quickly.