I’m Trying To Be Like Jesus – Ideas for Younger and Older Children

I’m Trying To Be Like Jesus 

– There are so many different ways to teach this song!  Here are a few suggestions.  Hint:  Your children will learn best if you choose to teach it in three or four different ways, one each Sunday.  

Younger Children

1. Sway and Freeze
2. rhythm stick roll (see the comments for how to adapt it for younger)
3. Scarves (about minute 6:10)
4. Egg Shaker patterns
5. Put the Pictures in order (scroll down to the bottom)
6. Coloring page
7. Hand Sign Replace
8. LDS Primary Video
9. Also this Primary Video with a bouncing ball

10. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – A Handout with 5 ideas for Younger Children

    1. Picture Puzzles –

    Tapping a child on the shoulder, they come up and put a puzzle piece where they think it goes in the puzzle as you are singing the song over and over again. You cut three pictures of Jesus into 3 piece puzzles and put them mixed up at the front of the room.

    2. Sway and Freeze –

    Arms sway right, Arms sway left, then circle overhead, Freeze!  Ask the children  if their arms are pointing the same way your arms are pointing.  Sway and Freeze again.

    3. Scarves –

    Sing the song as you do this pattern with the children.

    Circle overhead, stop on knee – x2  (stop on the word be, -sus)

    Circle overhead, stop on shoulder – x2  (stop on the word in, ways)

    Repeat sequence (love, did) (do, after say)

    Circle on the left – 4x

    Circle on the right – 4x

    Circle overhead, stop on knee – x2  (stop on the word -nother, you)

    Circle overhead, stop on shoulder – x2  (stop on the word kindness, do)

    Circle overhead, stop on knee – x2  (stop on the word loving, thought)

    Circle overhead, stop on shoulder – x1  (stop on the word things)

    On the words “Jesus taught,” wave the scarf in front of you to the end of the song

    4. Waves of the Sea

    Hands out in front of you pushing forward and pulling back like the waves of the sea.  Waves get smaller or bigger according the dynamics and emphasis of the song.

    5. Concentration Match Up

    Make 2 copies of at least 4 pictures, not more than 6.  Put them up front covered with a piece of cardstock that can lift up, usually in a square pattern.  While you sing the song, play concentration game by tapping a child on the shoulder and having him lift two pieces of cardstock in order to find the matches.

Older Children

1. Rhythm Stick Roll
2. Color Code
3. Hand Clap pattern (about minute 7:30) And this one broken into small parts
4. Egg Shaker Patterns
5. Put the pictures in order (scroll down to the bottom)
6. Hand Sign Replace
7. LDS Primary Video
8. Also this Primary Video with a bouncing ball

9. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – A Handout with 5 ideas for Older Children

   1. Picture Puzzles –

   Tapping a child on the shoulder, they come up and put a puzzle piece where they think it goes in the puzzle as you are singing the song over and over again.  Use at least 5 different pictures cut up into 3 or 4 puzzle pieces.

   2. Windwands –

   Show this pattern with symbols so it easier to understand.  Sing the song and do the pattern.  Have the children to pretend to have windwands and do the pattern with you as you sing.  Hand out the windwands and do the pattern with the children as you sing.

   • Circle on the right – 6x
   • Circle on the left – 6x
   • Over the shoulder left, tap, tap – 2x
   • Over the shoulder right, tap, tap – 2x

   Repeat

   (At times I am tempted)

   • Snake on the floor left, quick up to the sky and back down, pause on the floor
   • Snake on the floor right, quick up to the sky and back down, pause on the floor

   Repeat

   (Love one another)

   • Overhead circle 3x, tap 3x

   Repeat

   (Try to show kindness)

   • Circle on the right – 6x
   • Circle on the left – 6x
   • Over the shoulder left, tap, tap – 2x
   • Over the shoulder right, tap, tap – 2x

   (For these are the things)

   • Overhead circle 3x, tap 3x
   • Overhead circle 3x, pause on the floor
   3. Verb Phrase Match Up –

   Print out these word strips:

   • Trying
   • Following
   • Trying
   • Tempted
   • Try
   • Love
   • Try
   • Be

   And these:

   • to be like Jesus
   • in His way
   • to love as He did
   • to make a wrong choice
   • to listen as the still, small voice whispers
   • one another as Jesus loves you
   • to show kindness in all that you do
   • gentle and loving in deed and in thought

   Sing the song over and over again and ask the children to help you match up the phrases as you sing.

   4. Waves of the Sea –

   Hands out in front of you pushing forward and pulling back like the waves of the sea.  Waves get smaller or bigger according the dynamics and emphasis of the song.

   5. Concentration Match Up

   Make 2 copies of at least 6 or 7 pictures, not more than 8.  Put them up front covered with a piece of cardstock that can lift up, usually in a square pattern.  While you sing the song, play concentration game by tapping a child on the shoulder and having him lift two pieces of cardstock in order to find the matches.

   After the children have matched the pictures, ask, “What does this picture have to do with this song?”