April: I Belong To The Church of Jesus Christ

WEEK ONE 

Younger:

7 Hops Around the World

This movement activity has the children hopping 7 times, stopping, then swinging their arms around and over their heads 4 times as you sing the song.  It gets them engaged, participating, and usually enthusiastic. Click the name of the activity for more information.

Older:

Rhythm Stick Patterns

This movement entices the older children to follow a pattern with the rhythm sticks.  It is challenging, fun, and rhythmic.  You demonstrate the pattern and sing, having them use imaginary rhythm sticks.  When you have finished singing through the song doing the patterns, you set the boundaries for the activity (if you use these inappropriately, I take them and they are too fun to do that), then you pass out the rhythm sticks.  Sing the song again as they do the pattern with the rhythm sticks.

WEEK TWO

Younger:

Directional Marching

This movement activity challenges the children to march in different directions as they follow the special guest's movements to the song.  Added challenge and fun is to follow the special guests hands, also. It is a great way to emphasize and practice steady beat while having fun.

Older:

Put the "I..." Statements in Order

There are nine statements in this song beginning with "I...". This activity asks the children to put the phrases in order as they listen, then to sing only those phrases and not the rest of the words.  Switch and only sing the other words, and not the "I  ..."phrases. They have to sing the song silently in their head as they sing only some of the words, a very strong way to learn a song.

WEEK THREE

Younger:

Picture Concentration Matching Game

This visual activity is a good contrast to the movement activities of the first two weeks.  The children try to find the matching picture, lifting up only two pieces of paper from the choices that are set in a grid while you are singing the song.  This concentration game only uses pictures so that the three and four year olds can participate fully. Matching pictures from lds.org images that show children being members of the church, and matching pictures of the Savior are wonderful. The children hear the song over and over again as they try to match up the pictures.

Older:

Concentration Game

This visual activity is a Concentration Matching game that helps explain some of the deep truths of this song in a fun way. The children have to work together to find the matches, and the matches are not exactly spelled out.  (What does "I am a child of a powerful and loving Heavenly Father" have to do with "I know who I am?") Click the name of the activity for more information.

WEEK FOUR

Younger:

Paper Cup Pop

Paper Cups make moving the beat more fun.  Each child has a paper cup that they move to the beat as you sing.  The children follow your paper cup as you beat 8 times in different places.

Older:

Paper Cup Pop (Older)

and Another version

Paper Cups and moving to a pattern makes this a challenging, rhythmic, and fun activity for the children.  You demonstrate the pattern and sing, having the children follow you with imaginary paper cups.  When you finish the song, pass out the paper cups.  Sing the song again and do the patterns with the paper cups.  The children are moving, challenged, and participating... and it is fun!

Other Ideas

1. Make a flag and do flag patterns

2. And a different rhythm stick pattern

3. Action Word Actions

4. And a different action word action

5. Put the pictures in order

Here is the handout for Put the pictures in order. Susan Fitch did the drawings ( www.susanfitchdesign.blogspot.com.) and sells her things on Etsy. Angie Mae Killian put the drawings onto one page for me.