I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus: Rhythm Stick Roll for Older Children

One friend

I stand in front of the children and choose a child.  "Will you be my partner?"

We each hold a rhythm stick in our right hand.  With our palms up, I roll my stick into my partner's palm, while he or she rolls his or her rhythm stick into my left hand.  We take the rhythm stick in our left hand and pass it behind our back to our right hand, the roll the stick into our partner's hand again.Roll, Pass behind my back, roll.

We do this action a couple of times, then I start to sing as we do the action.I'm trying (roll)  to be  (Pass behind my back) like Jesus (roll then pass behind my back).I'm following (roll) in His (Pass behind my back) way (roll then pass behind my back).Video Clip -click on the IMG below.IMG_8604 2

Three friends

I stop part way through the song, then tell my partner to find another friend while I find a new partner, also.  We start the pattern again.Roll, Pass behind my back, roll.I start to sing the song again as we do the action.

Seven friends

I stop the singing once again and ask each of these three children to find a partner while I also find a new partner.  We start the pattern again, then I begin to sing as we do the pattern. (What the children don't know is that I have demonstrated the rhythm stick rolling and passing behind the back three different times, giving at least three to seven children the opportunity to do the actions in a small group.)

Everyone participates

Again I stop the song and ask each child to find a partner.  I call out "Freeze!" then give the instruction that the sticks are to be used appropriately or I will have to take yours away.  When I call out Freeze, raise your rhythm stick in the air.  (These are the boundaries for the activity.)  My accompanist and one of the presidency members make sure that everyone has a rhythm stick, and we begin the pattern.Roll, Pass behind my back, roll.

We do this action a couple of times, then I start to sing as we do the action.

I'm trying (roll)  

to be  (Pass behind my back)

like Jesus (roll then pass behind my back).

I'm following (roll)

in His (Pass behind my back)

way (roll then pass behind my back).

Switch partners

When we reach the words "but I try to listen as the still small voice whispers...", call out Freeze!  Ask the children to each take their rhythm stick with them and find a new friend by the count of 10.  I count down as the children (often with teacher help) find a new partner.

We do the action a few times, then I begin to sing where we left off.

"Love one another as Jesus loves you..."

Continue to the end of the song, then ask the accompanist and presidency member to help gather the rhythm sticks. With this activity, you cement the feel of the song into the children's brains and bodies while they are engaged and interacting with someone else.  Their brain has heard the whole song, their body has felt the movement and energy of the song, and they now have a memory framework wherein to attach different pieces of experiences with this gentle, spirit-filled song.