35 Ways to Teach a Song

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Enjoy these thirty five low-prep primary singing time activity ideas that will work for any song. 

Plus Check Out 5 WAYS TO TEACH A NEW SONG

*Requires just a bit more prep

ACTIONS

Add song actions, ASL, stand or sit on certain words, lap-clap-snap-thumbs, etc. 

BAG OF CLUES

As you sing, pull objects out of the bag that relate to the song. Ask the kids to see if they can figure out what the objects mean in relation to the song. Repeat and hold the correct object up as singing. EXTENSION: Let the kids come up and hold the objects and put themselves/objects in order of the song phrases.

BACKWARDS

Teach a phrase at a time starting at the end and working towards the beginning.

BEAT/RHYTHM

Option 1: Tap the beat as you sing. Repeat and tap the rhythm (how the words go) as you sing.

Option 2: Tap the rhythm of one phrase as singing in your head and sing the next out loud (as you tap the rhythm as you sing).

Option 3: Alternate tapping the beat and rhythm for each song phrase. 

BUILD A TOWER

Using blocks or boxes with keywords or song visuals on each, the kids build in the correct order according to the song. 

COLOR A PICTURE

Kids color a picture that matches the song as everyone sings.

Get 35 unique, fun crack-the-symbol-code coloring pages in the printables library ($15 value)

RECORDING:

[Good for review as well]

Record the kids singing a couple song phrases then have them listen to themselves singing and give their feedback as to what they can improve. Repeat singing those phrases and record and listen again and let kids give themselves a thumbs up or down.

Continue for all the phrases of the song. 

SECRET MESSAGE:

Make a simple secret message code (write on board) like, “You get a treat” or “I love all of you!” or even better, the key message of the song (you could already have some words written up so it doesn’t get too long, if needed. Write lines for each letter of each word on the board. Every time the kids sing a line well, they get to guess a letter till the message is revealed. Write up all the letters in the corresponding blanks.

SILENT VIDEO: 

Play a video relating to the song and play as you (or a recording) sing. Have the kids sing along as they can.

SING ALONG VIDEO:

Play a sing along video and have the kids sing along.

SINGING CHARADES:

Write out lines of the song on the board and then do the action to a line and the kids have to guess which line matches your actions. Sing that line, do the actions, have the kids repeat then erase the line and sing and do actions for that line again. Repeat for each song phrase then sing the song in order with the actions.

SONG STORY/STORY SONG:

A song story/story song is a story that interviews lines of a song into the story. They have a strong power to attach images and emotions from the children’s minds to the song, as well as giving them an opportunity to hear the entire song and give context to the words.

CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE ON SONG STORIES/STORY SONGS and get a packet of free story songs by joining the library. 

WAYS TO SING: 

A very easy, low-prep way to add variation.

GET THE BIGGEST WAYS TO SING CARD SET ONLINE HERE.

Extensions: Loud/Soft - see Crescendo Crocodile post here

Fast and Slow - check out the Sonic Speedometer tempo game

Legato/Staccato 

"Under Water" - use your finger to vibrate your lips while singing

Kazoos - use kazoos to "toot" the melody

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