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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Bean Bag Toss - Updated

I posted this idea many moons ago, and as it usually goes, time has tempered my zeal and I have come up with a new, easy, reusable version of the Beanbag Toss.  Here is the original post if you want all the details.

In the first version, I printed and cut out and pasted song titles and little stickers.  Ahh, the overachiever in me is cheering right now!  Then, the other day as I was cleaning out my poster files, I saw that beauty and thought to myself, "How pretty!  That poster will get me on the general board for sure!  But, those are the program songs from 2010!  When would I ever be able to use it again?"


My beautiful poster is now in the garbage.

So here is another solution that can be changed and adapted as you go along...get a posterboard, trace various sized circles in different colors.  Laminate.  Use a dry or wet erase marker to write in song titles that you would like to review.  When you're done, have moved on, or have learned new songs to add to the review, just erase it and change it.

Yep.  Simple is good.  So much better than the over-the-top, complicated ideas of yester-year.  OK, to be fair to my old self, I don't think many of the things I did were overly elaborate, but still...

Simple is very good.

Do you like the picture of my computer screen?  Since I don't actually have this calling anymore, I'm just  cataloguing my ideas so that if...I mean when...the opportunity arises again, I will be ready!  In the meantime, I don't need more stuff piling up!  My primary closet is already FULL!

Have a great week!!
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