Second Round Subbing in May

I've been traveling a lot for work lately and didn't have much time to prepare for this second (and last) time subbing in Primary Music in May. So I created an activity similar to last week where we had the list of favorite songs of each child and rolled the die to select a song. But this time when they rolled the die, they could either choose the "known" song on the board OR choose from cards on which I had written surprise songs on one side and numbers 1-6 on the other.

I can't recall exactly now, but I think most children chose a "surprise" song on the card with the number they'd rolled. That was the most fun. And then they were the dirigent, while I played the chords on the piano.

I don't really play the piano. I mean, only sort of. I've never taken a lesson, but I can play the chords if I know them. And the Primary Children's Songbook has the chords written in and so does the new Hymns for Home and Church. So that makes it do-able for me right now to play along. And, as usual, the kids love being the dirigent.

Favorite List from last week:

1 - Een regenboog is prachtig / Als ik gedoopt ben, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 53 (English: When I Am Baptized/I Like to Look for Rainbows, Children's Songbook 103)

2 - Gebed van een kind, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 6 (English: A Child's Prayer, Children's Songbook 12)

3 - Ik kijk graag naar de tempel, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 99 (English: I Love to See the Temple, Children's Songbook 95)

4 - Ik ben een kind van God, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 2, or Lofzangen 195 (English: I am a Child of God, Children's Songbook 2, Hymns 301)

5 - Getsémané (English: Gethsemane, new hymn 1009)

6 - Schijn voort, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 96 (English: Shine On, Children's Songbook 144)

Surprise Song Behind Card number...

1 - Ik ben een kind van God, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 2, or Lofzangen 195 (English: I am a Child of God, Children's Songbook 2, Hymns 301)

2 - Ik week dat Jezus leeft, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 8 (English: I Know My Father Lives, Children's Songbook 5)

3 - Hij zond zijn Zoon, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 20 (English: He Sent His Son, Children's Songbook 34)

4 - Ik voel uw liefde, Heer, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 42 (English: I Feel My Savior's Love, Children's Songbook 74)

5 - Als ik gedoopt ben, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 53 (English: When I Am Baptized, Children's Songbook 103)

6 - Lees, denk en bid, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 66 (English: Search, Ponder, and Pray, Children's Songbook 109)

Sometimes, I think I should just be called as Primary Music Chorister (dirigent) because I love the calling and it would give me a guaranteed opportunity to speak Dutch every week. I know, I know, I know... I have guaranteed opportunities every day since my husband is Dutch and so is my stepson who lives with us... but I mostly speak English to them. But I really would like to feel more comfortable speaking. However, having a Primary calling is an EVERY week responsibility. I'm not sure my work schedule will allow for me to feel like I have sufficient time to dedicate to the kind of preparation I like to do. So for now, I'm happy to sub.

Favoriete Kinderliedjes

Subbing again, twice this month.

When I asked the regular Primary Music Chorister what songs they were learning or what she would like me to work on, she said: "Thanks so much! I have no special wishes so do your thing and enjoy!" While nice to be given free reign, I wish I had somewhere to start, a diving off point. Do my thing doesn't come so quickly or easily for me lately.

But, I figured it out...

"What is your FAVORITE primary song? Which one do you like the most?"

After lots of thinking by the kids, we put six songs on the board. Each one with the child's name next to it.

1 - Een regenboog is prachtig / Als ik gedoopt ben, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 53 (English: When I Am Baptized/I Like to Look for Rainbows, song 103)

2 - Gebed van een kind, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 6 (English: A Child's Prayer, song 12)

3 - Ik kijk graag naar de tempel, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 99 (English: I Love to See the Temple, song 95)

4 - Ik ben een kind van God, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 2, or Lofzangen 195 (English: I am a Child of God, Children's Songbook 2, Hymns 301)

5 - Getsémané (English: Gethsemane, new hymn 1009)

6 - Mijn licht scheint voort, Dutch: Kinderliedjes 96 (English: Shine On, Children's Songbook 144)

Hoera! We had our list of favorites. Next, I introduced the activity. I had one oversized six-sided wooden die from a pair of dice which I had purchased at the museum store at the Zuiderzee Museum, an open air museum in Enkhuizen, North Holland. Perfect because there were six sides and six children attending Primary today.

So each child took a turn rolling the die, which decided which song we would sing. Miraculously, each child rolled a different number, so we were able to sing all six songs one time through. When they rolled the die and selected the song, they then had to come up and be the director. (But be careful directeur in Dutch is NOT the same as director, as in music director in English. You must use the word dirigent or else all the kids will laugh... (adults too).

They seemed to have a great time. And I did too. And it easily filled 20+ minutes.