Q&A: How to Create an Effective Flip Chart

Flip charts can be a great way to teach a new song.  I have several opinions about them, so I'll share a few of those with you and then give you some ideas about how I create flip charts and how you can do it at home!

Opinion #1:  Don't overuse them.  You do not need to use a flip chart every month.  There are a lot of other ways to teach songs, so mix it up every now and then.

Opinion #2:  I like using flip charts for songs that we don't sing very often - Christmas, pioneer/heritage, Easter, Mother's/Father's Day, etc.  I do not think it should be required for these types of songs to be memorized.

Opinion #3:  I am not a humongous fan of flip charts that have all the words on them.  However, for primaries that are fairly small, or have fluctuating attendance, this type of flip chart is great.  That way, if you have kids that don't come regularly, they can still follow along and not feel left out.  I will not typically make this type of visual aid, but I'll help you in the next part of this post with how to make your own in just a few minutes.

Opinion #4:  It is okay to print the words on the back of the pages of the flip chart.  See this post.

Guidelines and Tips for creating flip charts of your own:

As I go through this, I'm going to refer to the flip chart I made today for "If the Savior Stood Beside Me," so you may want to have that open in another window so you can see what I'm referring to.  If not, no biggie.

--Here are the websites I use to find clipart:
Microsoft Clipart
LDS Clipart
LDS.org Images
If all else fails, sometimes I look on Google images for generic things like eyes, ears, etc.

--Find a program that is easy to use and manipulate images/text.  If you're good in Word, that would work.  Microsoft Publisher is another good one.  I use Art Explosion Publisher Pro Silver, which is just the beefed up version of Publisher.  It allows me to layer text and images really easily, and well, I just really like it.

--Once you pick your song, try to find the main points that you want to focus on.  What are the main questions?  Key words?  Concepts?  Doctrines?  This will help you decide how you want to visually represent the song.  Since I just did a flip chart for "If the Savior Stood Beside Me," I'll use this one as an example.  I noticed that the first two verses are full of questions about how I would behave if the Savior was standing next to me.  What would I do?  What would I say?  Would I follow?  How would I live?  Would I share the gospel?  Would I be more reverent?  I wanted to focus on those ideas, so I used the key phrases "Would I do" with a red question mark that repeats throughout the song.  The rest of the words are less pointed to me - I'm not as concerned that they wonder if their words are kind and true.  I am more interested in them remembering the real question - Would I say the things I say?  That way, they can use that question to apply its principles to their actual daily life.

--Use the images to make your point.  You don't have to type out all of the lyrics.  In ITSSBM, it says "think of his commandments," but that would take up a lot of space.  So I used a little thought bubble with an image of the stone tablets.  Love is a heart.  See is a magnifying glass.  Etc.

--Choose your images very carefully.  This is how the kids are going to associate words with meaning.  In ITSSBM, the first question is "would I do the things I do?"  I wanted to find a picture not of kids doing something bad, because I don't want them to associate themselves with wrong choices.  But not of them doing something good either, because I want them to really think about all of the things they do, not just the good things.  So I found a picture of a little boy that looks like he's in the middle of making a choice.  Bingo. In this same flip chart, the image I used for the chorus was hard to choose.  I wanted one where the Savior was actually standing nigh (near), in a position where he was looking down (watching over).  I like this one especially because it showed the child at home, comfortable, with his scriptures.  As we learn more about the gospel, we understand better and better that we can really feel the Savior near when we are doing what we are supposed to be doing.  I think this picture summed that up really well.  See the deeper meaning that we can bring out as we choose pictures?  This step is the one that by far takes the longest, because you end up really searching and pondering each picture.

--Use a font that is easy to read and large enough to see from far away.  In my flip charts, I use a font called Hank BT, in a 90.0pt size.  Use black for the bulk of the text, but feel free to highlight key words in different colors or other fonts, just to make them stand out more.

--Try to follow the same format for each verse.  Look at ITSSBM, the first page of the first and second verses.  They are the same - not only because it makes it easier for you, but the kids will have an easier time recognizing the similarities.  Use the same layout for each chorus (see that the chorus page is actually in the flip chart 3 times).

--Use the flip chart to give hints on dynamics, melodic intervals, fermatas, etc.  In ITSSMB, the first two verses go down at the end, the last verse goes up.  I represented that by having the words follow the pattern:

watching                  and                       me.
       over                                         over
            me.                           watching

--Remember the church guidelines on pictures of the Savior - use only those that have been printed in the church magazines and GAK.  There is a wide variety of them to choose from, including more cartoony ones and more artistic versions.  If it's in the Friend, it's okay to use.  Be sensitive about using pictures depicting Heavenly Father, and as far as I know I don't think you're supposed to use any pictures at all depicting the Holy Ghost - does anyone know the guidelines on that for sure?

--If you do not have access to a printer or the right software to make your own flip chart, don't be afraid to make one from scratch (like with paper and a marker).  At the end of each month, I go through the Friend and Ensign and cut out all of the pictures that could be used in a flip chart or lesson or FHE or whatever.  I have built up quite the collection of images, and there are seriously a million ways to use them.  One of my favorite primary blogs is The Children Sing - pretty much all of her visual aids used cut out images from church magazines - seriously, go there and get some ideas.  Kathleen is dang amazing - I love her and I've never even met her!

--If you do want to include all of the lyrics, you still need to choose your images and font very carefully.  Make sure the font is big enough to see from the back of the room.  A good rule of thumb is that the text should equal at least half of your page.  With this type of chart, the image is secondary to the text, so shrink that picture and blow up those words.

--To keep your flip charts protected, slip them into plastic sheet protectors.

--If you orient your flip chart to landscape, you can put the pages into a 3-ring binder and flip them really easily by opening the binder so the covers are together - no dropping pages!

What do you like about flip charts?  What do you think makes them effective and useful?  Feel free to share your ideas so we can all find something that works :)

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Our Christmas Story Tree

♫ It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! ♫

I don't know about you, but I am getting into the Christmas spirit.  And with only a few weeks left in the year, I'm sure some of you are into Christmas songs full-swing.  If not, don't stress!  It's never too late to teach a new song for the holidays!  I LOVE this song that was published in The Friend a couple of years ago.  It's catchy, they lyrics are simple, and you can teach it really easily with the flip chart or just a few props (or combine the chart with props, which is what I would do.  But that's just me!).

Here is the sheet music.
Here is the flip chart.

Here are a few things you could use:

Box labeled "Ornaments" - keep all of your items in the box, to stay organized!
Small Christmas tree (to place the ornaments on, of course)
Candy cane
Picture of shepherds (p. 4 in flip chart)
Angel tree topper
Silver star (if you don't have one, just cover a cardboard star with foil)
Picture of star of Bethlehem (p. 8 in flip chart)
Package wrapped in red paper
Picture of Savior
Evergreen sprig or bough (pass around so they can feel and smell it)
Jesus in the manger piece from a nativity scene

This may not be the most appropriate song for a Sacrament Meeting number, but it is a great one for the kids to learn to connect a few secular symbols with gospel meaning, especially tying into the Savior.  Let me know how it goes!

What songs are you teaching for Christmas?  Any fun plans?


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The Rug

Because I was the queen of last minute singing time's, I took upon myself the challenge of creating activities out of whatever I would find around the house, at the $1 store, in clearance bins, and at DI.  This is one of my favorite activities, and I'm quite frankly surprised that I haven't posted it yet!  Every time I dig in my bins (yes, there are multiple bins, much to my son's dismay as they are all stored in his closet!), I find things that I used all the time and some that I never even got around to using.  It's like a treasure hunt every time!

Anyhoo, meet The Rug.  I got it on clearance at the Target Dollar Spot after Valentine's Day a couple of years ago.  I have noticed since then that they have little rugs for just about every holiday, so depending on your mood and budget and bin situation, you could theoretically have a rug for all seasons.  Here is how to use The Rug...

Place The Rug on the floor.  Invite a group of children to come to the front (this idea is actually a perfect activity for small primaries).  As a song is played/sung, have the children walk in a circle, stepping on The Rug once in a rotation.  Here come the variations.

Variation 1:  Similar to musical chairs, have your pianist randomly stop playing.  The child standing on The Rug has to say or sing the next line.

Variation 2:  When the song is over, the child on The Rug chooses an action or Fun Way to Sing for the next section of the song.

Variation 3:  When the music stops, the child on The Rug is "out" or placed on a special team - then it's a contest of who knows the song better - the kids in the circle, or the kids that are "out."

Other uses of The Rug could be having your special helper stand on it while they're helping you; if you're standing on The Rug the kids have to sing, if you move they hum; stand on The Rug and tell them the better they sing the more you tip - they have to try and tip you off.

There's a million ways to use The Rug.  It's a fun and simple prop that you can pull out whenever, and they'll love it.  Keep it in the closet...it's worth it!

What would you do with The Rug?

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How Would You Use...Kitchen Edition

I've talked to a couple of newly called choristers, seen some threads on the Yahoo group, and received a couple of emails - all with questions and concerns about the expense of props/games/flip charts/visual aides for singing time.  YES.  This calling can get complicated and expensive if you let it.  But you can also use things you have around the house to teach lyrics, principles, and also to have a lot of fun.  What I've come to learn, however, is that some people experience a wee shortage of creativity, especially when under pressure.  

So, to help get your creative juices flowing, I am going to let you think of the ideas this time.  I shared a similar thought a while back with the Bingo Game.  You can find a fun way to use just about everything!  Now we will go together on a journey throughout our homes to find free, ink-less, creative ways to entertain your primary kids.

We'll start in the kitchen.  The heart of the home!  (I'll do different posts for each part of the home - today let's stick with the kitchen!)

How would you use paper cups/plates?
How would you use straws?
How would you use an oven mitt?
How would you use utensils?
How would you use cookbooks?
How would you use a cookie sheet?

What else inspires you in your kitchen?  Please share your comments - I promise there are music leaders out there (worldwide) that would love and appreciate your thoughts.  I can't wait to see what you come up with!!

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April Showers - Song Review

Oh, boy, when they say April showers they mean it!  I LOVE the month of April, and love the rain that we've been having here in my corner of Utah.  The clouds and gray and cozy sound of rain remind me of Oregon (where I grew up).  So with that inspiration, I came up with this little crafty cutie.

Don't worry, non-crafters - you don't need any special supplies or skill.  This one is super simple!  30 minutes, just give me 30 minutes...

Materials:
5 pieces of white paper
stapler
staples (yes, I assume that your stapler is almost empty just like mine was)
Maybe tape
string
a few kinds of spring colored paper (construction, scrapbook)
black marker, if you decide to draw a face
Maybe some laminating sheets

Directions:
-Using 2 of the white pieces of paper together, cut out a cloud shape.  You can draw it out or freehand it, depending on your level of OCD.
-Staple or tape a long string to one piece of the top of the cloud - this is what it will hang from
-Put the second side of the cloud on top of the first
-Staple around the edges about 1/4" from the edge - but not on the bottom...yet
-Staple or tape 5 pieces of string of varying lengths to the inside of one side of the cloud bottom
-Crinkle up the 3 remaining white papers and shove them inside to give the cloud a 3D effect.
-Staple the bottom together, stapling over the string attachments for extra strength.  After all, these are kids we're making this for.
-Tie a paper clip to the bottom of each string.
-Cut several rain drops out of your spring-y paper.  If you want, you can laminate them for durability.  I would make several extra so you can add them in once another one is removed.  That way you can sing more songs.
-Paper clip the rain drops to the strings.
-Maybe draw a friendly face on your cloud (I know I probably shouldn't have drawn a face on an inanimate object, but it was just too cute!  You can do whatever you feel is best)
-Using the long string on the top, tie it to a long dowel or other stick.  Or you can just attach it to your board.

Using it:
-Write song names/page numbers on the back of the raindrops.
-If you've put it on a dowel, "hover" it over the kids' heads and hang it in -front of a reverent child to choose the next song.
-Another thing to do if it's on a dowel - use it as a singing motivator.  The better they sing, the closer you can move it to the ceiling or something like that.
-This would also be a GREAT activity to do in nursery - I can see it now!

See?  That's it!  Have fun, and enjoy whatever weather spring brings!

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Don't Forget To...Smile!

Whenever your primary kids are singing in front of an audience, whether it's in Sacrament Meeting or a ward activity, or even just in your weekly singing time, it's hard to get them to smile and sing loud enough to hear them!  In my infinite wisdom desperation, I came up with these little signs (click here for the PDF) that I can keep on my stand and pull them out when I need them.  In the primary room, you can put the ear to your head and the lips to your face, and in the program/special musical number you can just hold them up inconspicuously in front of you.  Simple.  Easy.  And a subtle visual that will help your kids remember to Sing Louder!  Smile!

What do you do to get your primary kids to give their best performance?
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Cubos de Tema - En Espanol

Aquí hay otro tema para los que hablan español.  Haga clic aquí para ver el mensaje original.  ¡Que te diviertas!


Cubos de Tema - PDF
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The Smile Stick

Here is a SUPER simple idea that is fun to use any time!  I call it the Smile Stick - and it's used to make children smile.  This can be a huge tool during program prep, when we focus a lot on the children smiling and looking happy.  Use it to choose helpers, as a conducting wand, and any other way you can think of!  It's simple - just tape some feathers to a dowel.  Leave the dowel long (I bought mine at WalMart for 25cents, it's 36" long) so you can reach the kids sitting further away from you.  It's sure to bring a smile - for one, it tickles.  And for two, it's something new!

Thanks to Georgia for letting me interrupt her movie to try it out!

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Golden Plates

This week I've decided to have a little bit of fun and include some visual aids with PTTM.  But being the multi-tasker and multi-purposer that I am, I wanted to create a prop that would have some staying power.  So here are my "Golden Plates."  First, a quick tutorial to show you how to assemble this super easy visual aid:

1.  Start with a full poster of foam-core (I get mine at the $1 store) and cut it in half, then half again and so on until you end up with 16 rectangles approx. 5x7" each.  Don't feel like you have to cut exactly, I think the varying edges are kind of cool (and historically accurate, I'm pretty sure....teehee).

2.  Punch holes (I did 2) on the side, so you can add rings.

3.  Glue each "plate" together with a glue of your choice.  If you want your plates to open, well...you're on your own.  I was going for easy, not awesome.  Make sure the holes line up, or you'll have done all that work for nothing :)

4.  Here is what your stack of plates looks like when it's all glued together.

 5.  Spray paint your plates with gold spray paint.  Make sure to spray the sides really well, because the paint doesn't cover well on the foamy part.  But don't spray too close or too thick, because the paper will get too wet and get wrinkly (learned this lesson the hard way on a previous - failed - project).

6.  Use gold pipe cleaner to form the rings.  I didn't have gold, so I just spray-painted some black ones that I had.  You could go so far as to etch some sort of engravings on it, but that's up to you.  And that's it!

So the plan for tomorrow is simple - we'll start with "The Golden Plates" (CS #86), and I'll bring my golden plates inside a wooden box that I have.  I will pull them out and share with them the story of how the plates were found by Joseph Smith and how the experiences leading up to and as a result of that marked the opening of this, the last dispensation.  That will lead us into reviewing the first verse of PTTM, and we'll play "The Golden Plates Lay Hidden," the clever name for the hot/cold game.  That one is always a hit with our primary, and we really need the repetition with all of the big vocab in this song.

I hope all of you are having success with this amazing song.  We learned the entire first verse and chorus last week using the last two activities I posted, and it was amazing.  I was shocked that the kids were so on top of it - I had chills when we sang it all together at the end.  I know the Spirit is there when we sing every Sunday, but with certain songs, there's just something special, don't you think?  I LOVE IT!!!

Check in with us - how are things?  What's worked?  We'd all love to know!

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Nursery Props #2 - Ribbon Wands

This idea is not my own, in fact it has been around for centuries, I'm sure.  I can just imagine some midieval child running around a muddy field with one of these in her hand trailing behind her in the wind.  But I digress.  I made these to sing with "Give, Said the Little Stream," and the kids are enthralled every time I bring them.  They just love to run around and twist the ribbons around in the air.  I have a very young nursery this year, with only 2 of about 10 that are over the age of 2.  So anything simple that gets them moving is HUGE.  They also don't do a lot of singing, given their age, but I love to see them get excited. 

I put them together quite simply - with popsicle sticks, and 4 lengths of ribbon in different colors and lengths.  Have fun!

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Nursery Props #1 - Sunbeam Mirror

The next few posts will be specifically geared towards Nursery-aged children for those of you who do singing time with them each Sunday.  If you do, you know that it can be really hard to keep those little ones' attention without some visual helps.  This first "prop" idea is a mirror to use for Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam, or any other song that talks about sunshine, light, warmth, etc.

Here are a couple of pics to get your juices flowing.  As you sing, just hold the mirror in front of each child, and I promise...their faces will LIGHT UP!  (Tee-hee!  I love it when that works!)

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Follow the Prophet

When I first was called as the primary chorister, I was overwhelmed (in may ways, obviously) by Follow the Prophet.  So many verses!  So many prophets!  So many different orders in which to sing it!  Thankfully, the presidency opted to only include 4 verses in the program, but it was still hard.  I was searching around the web, as I usually do, and came across this post  at I Sing U Sing and LOVED her idea of having a visual reminder of what verse we were on!  Of course my creativity only extends to clipart, so I created some reminder sticks to use for our program.  I have included all of the prophets that are in the Children's Songbook.  I know that there have been other verses written with some of the Book of Mormon prophets, so if there's a verse that your primary knows that isn't here, just send a comment or an email and I'll whip one up for you.  Oh, and you'll notice that I've changed the 'Adam' one - what can I say?  Everything's an evolution... 

Just print them out, cut & laminate for durability, and tape a popsicle stick to the back.  And of course, write the words on the back!  I don't know about you, but 9 verses of any song is a memory-overload :o)

Here is the link to the Follow the Prophet Signs PDF.  Enjoy!
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More Fun Ways to Sing

Thanks for the fun ideas!  Here are a few more cards for you to add to your set.  As always, if you think of more just leave a comment!  Here is the link to the PDF.

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Fun Ways to Sing - Explanation

I've had a couple of emails with questions on how I use some of the cards that are posted in this post, so I thought I'd just give an explanation of what has worked for me.

Sticky Arms & Legs:  I have the kids "glue" their arms to their sides and their legs together/feet to the floor.  Then we try to sing the song without moving.  Then after the song, I pretend that I can't get "unstuck" and have a few kids come and peel my arms away from my body and push me just a bit to get my feet off the floor.  It's a great way to teach them to be still when they are singing.

Sing Backwards:  This one is pretty simple - I just walk to the back of the room and have the kids turn around and sing towards the back.  It's funny to watch the reactions of the people sitting in the back!

Color Blocks:  In the past I just pointed to the color on the card, but after getting a few questions I got to thinking that there must be a different way that would be more clear to the kids which color I was pointing to.  Then I went to Lowe's to pick out some paint and bingo!  Paint swatches (chips?  samples?  what are they called?!) were everywhere so I just grabbed the colors I needed, took them home and cut off the writing then mounted them on small popsicle sticks back to back.  Now, next time I use that card, I'll just hold up the sticks and they'll know what color to sing for.

I'm always looking for more fun ways to sing to add to the collection - do any of you have ideas that work with your primary kids?  Feel free to share in the comments, and I'll make more cards to add to the blog!

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Fun Ways To Sing

This is a tried-and-true activity for every chorister, I'm pretty sure.  I have used these cards a few times, and they are a hit every time.  By changing up the way we sing the songs, we are able to sing them over and over again without seeming repetitive.  I have come up with a bunch of different cards that I've laminated (of course) - I only ever bring out about 8 at a time, so that way they get a good variety and don't get bored doing the same ones over and over again.  Here are the ones I've got so far, if I think of more I'll be sure and post them!  Enjoy!

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Head, Shoulders, What, What, What?!

It sounds crazy, but I have a primary full of kids that DO NOT like to sing wiggle songs.  The first time I stood up and said, "Let's sing Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes," I thought their eyes were actually going to roll back into their heads.  I was shocked!  So I knew I would have to come up with some great new ways to sing a few familiar...er...favorites.  I found this awesome post by Divine Secrets of a Primary Chorister and immediately printed her activity cards for that song.  Then, after reading her ideas on HSK&T I came up with the inspiration for this little guy.

I just picked a few body parts, laminated them, and velcroed them to the poster board.  That way the kids can customize the way we sing it every time, and it won't get boring.  I unveiled the "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes Guy" the next week, and it was a hit!  It was the fifth Sunday so I had about 45 minutes, and this and Do As I'm Doing ate up a good chunk of it.  Let me tell you - it was a workout for the kids and they were actually panting after the last round!  So was I, which was lame.  Now every week they beg for me to bring him back!

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