The body helps children to learn
like no other visual aid we can ever use!
Sing the song and ask the children to follow your hands.
My life is a gift – hold out hands as if holding a gift
My life has a plan – point to my brain
My life has a purpose – point straight out with my arm and hand
In Heaven it began – wave hands above my head
My choice was to come – point first to one side, then to the other as if making a choice
to this lovely home on earth – make a big circle with your hands representing an earth
to seek for God’s light – hand over eyes as if seeking for something
to direct me from birth – arms cradling and rocking an imaginary baby
I will follow God’s – drum roll on the thighs
plan for me – point to the heavens and then to yourself
holding fast – grab hold to an imaginary iron rod
to his word and his love – hold out your hands like an open book, and then pulling them into a hug
I will work – pretend to push and pull something
and I will pray – pretend to fold your arms as if praying
I will always walk in his way – pretend to have your hands “walk”
And I will be happy on earth – do the sign language for happy, then hold your arms big and round like an earth
and in my home above – point to yourself, put your hands together like a roof, then point up to heaven
Extender Activity
Ask for five children who can do the actions with you to come up front and do the actions for the other children. I usually turn and face these five children a little further back in the room. Ask the children to follow these five children. Sing the song again and do the actions. If there is time, have each of these children pick a partner or two to come up and do the actions with them. Sing the song again doing the actions while this larger group is in front.
The beauty of this activity is that the children have the experience of a concrete representation of the words which goes deep into their memories. They are moving and participating, allowing the song to wash over them and into them.
Brittany
This sounds wonderful but I’m having trouble visualizing some of the actions, particularly things like the ASL for certain words. Could you make a video of this?
Sharla Dance
Dear Brittany, I will try to get a video of it this week.
I Will Follow God’s Plan for Me: Monthly Plan – Teaching Primary Music
[…] Action Word Actions […]
Anne
Your website is amazing, the best! Its the only one I let myself go to. Your ideas are creative and fun, and purposeful which I love. Thank you a hundred times over for all the help! You’re making this calling exciting, meaningful and doable!
Michelle R.
I am really looking forward to doing this tomorrow morning with the children. We have some very little sunbeams, some are only just three and they love the actions so so much. Thanks for all your inspiration. It is all so well thought through and it is honestly an answer to my prayers to find you!!
Michelle R.
PS If you ever want to come and teach your method over in England contact me and we will see if we can make it happen!!
Sharla
Dear Michelle, I would love to come to England sometime. It might take me awhile to save up for the trip, but it would be so fun!