If I Were A Shepherd Primary Singing Time Ideas

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Here's a few simple, easy, low-prep primary singing time activities for "If I Were A Shepherd." 

Directed Listening  *  Stick Figures & Poster Pull-Through  *  Actions/Movement  *  Dress Up  *

1. DIRECTED LISTENING

Give the kids something to listen for as you sing.

Here's some ideas to get you started...

-How many times do you hear the word "I" or "I'd"? 

-How many times do you hear the words, "If I were"? 

-How many different people do we sing about? Answer=6 (shepherds, wise man, angels, jesus, me-"I")

-How many times do you hear the words, "I'm a disciple?"

-What do the shepherd/wise man/angels/me give Jesus?

2. STICK FIGURES & POSTER PULL-THROUGH

WHAT YOU NEED: 

If I Were A Shepherd Stick Figures & Song Visuals printable

(Enough sets for each primary child)

STICK FIGURES HOW TO PLAY:

Jr. Primary - To simplify you can just give the youngest ones 2 puppets instead of the whole set (one character and the group of children figures and have them hold up their one character when that part of the song comes). 

Give each child a set of stick figures. As the kids sing, have them hold up the corresponding figures (with movement when it fit's the phrase*), as singing. 

[You are welcome to send home copies of the black and white figures for your kids to color and enjoy singing the song and using their puppets at home]. 

SONG VISUALS HOW TO USE:

Instructions on how to assemble for the poster pull-through are included in the packet download. The general idea is you make strips with the printable and poster board and pull the strips through as singing.

Other Games to Play with the Song Visuals:

Option 1: Display the pictures on the board and gradually take 1 until they are all gone.

Option 2: Fix the Order - Rearrange out of order and let kids put in the right order. Repeat the song (of course!) to check.

Option 3: Place pictures around the room (by verse) and have the kids turn towards the right picture for each phrase as they sing.

Option 4: Make 2 copies of each and use as a matching game.

3. ACTIONS

NOTE: You can do the song actions with the stick figures (see #2) or without.

HOW TO PLAY:

Have kids make up their own actions or use the suggested actions below:

If I were a shepherd - pretend to hold a cane stick

I'd kneel before the manger...stranger - kneel then stand back up

My gift would be my heart - hands out/palms up then touch heart

If I were a shepherd - pretend to hold a cane stick

I'd find the babe asleep there - Put hands together on side of head/tilt head like sleeping

If I were a shepherd - pretend to hold a cane stick

If I were a wise man - touch finger to temple

I'd travel from afar - point out to side far

I'd follow that great star - point up to sky

until I found the child - bring finger down, hands together, palms up

If I were a wise man - touch finger to temple

I'd bring my finest gift - hands out/palms up like giving a gift

My vow to follow Him - hand to heart

If I were a wise man - touch finger to temple

If I were an angel - make halo/circle shape with fingers over head

Oh how I would rejoice - arms up and down like "yeh!" 

I'd sing with my best voice- hands to mouth and stretch out to sides/front

All glory be to God - both arms reach up to heaven, palms up

If I were an angel - make halo/circle shape with fingers over head

I'd join the heavenly chorus - arms together in front palms up then stretch arms out wide to sides. 

Praise God He sent Christ for Us - hand high and bring down

Hosanna to His name - fingers to mouth then down and out

If I were an angel - make halo/circle shape with fingers over head

I'm not a shepherded - pretend to hold a cane stick

I'm not a traveling wise man - touch finger to temple

I'm not a singing angel - fingers to mouth then down and out

I love him just the same - cross arms on chest

I'm a disciple - fists/arms on waist

I choose to love and serve Him - right hand in fist comes over heart

To follow His commands - fist over heart comes out  across body, straight arm out, like a salute.

To take upon his name - arms scoop in towards self and down (like motioning in smoke to breathe in)

I'm a disciple - fists/arms on waist

I'm a disciple - raise fist in air/one hand on waist - superhero pose

4. DRESS UP

[Idea thanks to Jeanette Miller; Shepherd picture thanks to Jennifer's Little World]

WHAT YOU NEED: 

Simple "costume" pieces for song characters

HOW TO PLAY:

Have the pianist keep playing the song and have the kids hum while you dress up a couple of kids at a time as a shepherd/wise man/angel. Then as everyone sings, let the kids who are dressed up act out the song- kneeling, gifting their heart, hold the baby and prayer, etc.) Then switch kids and sing it all again.

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