Rhythm Review

I used this idea from Primary Singing Ideas last Sunday, and it was a great success. I used finger chimes, a frog instrument, a maraca, and a drum to go with the rhythms above. It was great fun to do the rhythms one at a time as we sang the chorus of "Follow the Prophet", and then a thrill to have the children play them all together our fifth time through the song.

Patriotic Pipe Chimes

I am going to bring out my pipe chimes to play as we sing "My Country, Tis of Thee" this Sunday. I thought it was appropriate to play chimes on the song that calls for freedom to "ring"!

I have my poster done up, showing by number which chime is played on what word. You could also use finger chimes, or triangles if you have those instead.


This is the pattern for musical pipes as found in the "Creative Homemaking for Happy Living" book the Church used to use. I need to make a stand like this for mine!

#10 cans

I made a fun singing motivator out of an empty #10 can and a hand puppet.

After cleaning and drying the can well, I removed the bottom of the can with a can opener.

Then, using an exact-o knife I cut pie-shaped slits in the plastic lid. Tell the children a special friend will come out and sing with them as they do their very best. When they are doing very well, gradually nose up the puppet until it is completely out and singing along with the children. This would also make a great visual when singing "Lift Up Your Voice and Sing" (CS 252).

The cans make good drums, and also have a great washboard sound when you run a mallet across the outside ridges. I might try using them as instruments next time we sing pioneer songs.

Jingle Bell Bracelets

I love bringing fun instruments into primary from time to time. I have pipe chimes, finger cymbals, maracas, and these jingle bell bracelets.

They are very easy to put together, and the colors of the pipe cleaners make them really festive and fun. Just thread one end of a pipe cleaner into the little loop on the bell. Thread 3 or 4 bells on, depending on their size and jingley-ness.

Then take a second pipe cleaner and twist around the first, going around the bells to keep them in place.

Then twist the ends of the pipe cleaners together, tucking in the metal ends as best as you can. I remind the children when I pass these out that there may be a pokey end on them, so to be extra careful.

These are really fun to use when singing the chorus of "Follow the Prophet". I demonstrate how to hold the jingle bracelet quietly still during the verse, then I have the children follow my lead during the chorus as I jingle the bracelet to the left, to the right, up high, down low, in a circle...