Meta Description
“Discover a fun and interactive singing time activity to connect Primary children with their Bishop! Learn how to use ‘Cut the Bishop’s Tie’ to teach gospel songs, improve singing skills, and create memorable moments in Primary.”
Introduction
Engaging Primary children during singing time can be a delightful challenge, especially when trying to help them connect with their leaders and practice gospel songs in meaningful ways. If you’re looking for a creative idea that incorporates music, interaction, and a bit of humor, this activity is perfect for you!
“Cut the Bishop’s Tie” is an innovative Primary singing time idea that brings the Bishop into the room for a fun-filled musical experience. Not only does it encourage children to sing their best, but it also helps them get to know their Bishop through fun, get-to-know-you questions. Plus, it’s simple to prepare, and the kids will love seeing how short they can make the Bishop’s tie!
In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to make this activity a success, from preparation to execution. Let’s make Primary singing time an unforgettable experience for the children while strengthening their connection to the gospel and their leaders.
Objective
- Help the children practice a variety of Primary songs.
- Encourage participation and enthusiastic singing.
- Create a personal connection between the children and the Bishop by letting them ask him fun, get-to-know-you questions.
Materials Needed
- An old tie (1 for Junior Primary and 1 for Senior Primary, if they are not combined).
- Scissors (ensure they are safe and handled by an adult).
- Strips of paper with two sides:
- One side lists a song to sing next.
- The other side includes a question for the Bishop (e.g., “What’s your favorite Primary song?” or “What was your favorite thing to do as a child?”).
- Tape or pins to attach the papers to the tie.
Preparation
- Coordinate with the Bishop:
- Invite the Bishop to join Primary singing time and explain the activity.
- Ask him to wear an old tie or bring one you provide. Reassure him it’s all in good fun!
- Prepare the Tie:
- Attach small strips of paper to the back of the tie, with the song on one side and a question for the Bishop on the other. Use tape or pins so the papers stay securely in place but can be revealed when a section is cut off.
- Set the Rules:
- Explain to the children that their singing will determine how much of the tie gets cut. The better they sing, the more of the tie gets cut—and they’ll discover the next song and get to ask the Bishop a fun question!
Lesson Plan
1. Introduction (5 minutes)
- Welcome the Children: Begin by greeting them and introducing the Bishop as your special guest.
- Explain the Activity:
- “Today, we’re going to help the Bishop shorten his tie! Each time you sing your best, I’ll cut off a piece of his tie, and we’ll find out what song we’ll sing next. Plus, we’ll get to ask the Bishop a fun question to learn more about him!”
- “Let’s see how short we can make the tie by the end of singing time!”
- Set Expectations:
- Remind the children to sing with their very best voices, follow your lead, and stay reverent to “earn” each cut of the tie.
2. Activity: “Cut the Bishop’s Tie” (15–20 minutes)
- First Round:
- Sing a song together as a group (this can be one you’ve preselected or let the first strip of paper guide you).
- Pause and evaluate: “How do you think you did? Should we cut off a piece of the Bishop’s tie?”
- Cut the first section of the tie and reveal the hidden paper.
- Read the next song aloud and sing it together.
- Flip the paper over to reveal the question and let a child ask it to the Bishop.
- Subsequent Rounds:
- Repeat the process, singing a new song with each piece of the tie that is cut.
- Continue reading the questions aloud and encouraging the Bishop to share fun, age-appropriate answers.
- Encourage the children to keep improving their singing by giving positive feedback, such as:
- “I love how clearly you sang that time! Let’s sing the next song with even bigger smiles!”
- “That was great! This time, let’s see if we can sing just a little louder!”
- Final Cut:
- As the children give their very best effort, make the final cut to remove the last piece of the tie. Celebrate their hard work with a big cheer!
3. Tie It Back to the Gospel (5 minutes)
- After the tie is completely cut, take a moment to reflect on the experience:
- “Thank you for singing so beautifully today! Isn’t it fun to get to know our Bishop? He cares so much about each of us, just like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do.”
- Share a short testimony about how music brings us closer to the Savior and helps us feel His love.
Sample Questions for the Tie
Here are some examples of fun questions to attach to the tie:
- What is your favorite Primary song?
- What is your favorite scripture story?
- What was your favorite thing to do as a child?
- Do you have a funny memory of being in Primary?
- What is your favorite food?
- What do you like to do for fun?
- How did you decide to serve in the Church?
- What is something you’ve learned recently?
- If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
- What advice would you give to Primary children?
Tips for Success
- Stay in Control: Keep the scissors in your hands at all times. While the children might want to help, it’s safer (and easier to manage!) if you handle the cutting.
- Encourage Reverence: Remind children to be reverent during singing time. If they get too excited, pause the activity to refocus on the purpose of the songs.
- Adapt as Needed: Adjust the number of songs or questions based on the time available and the energy level of your Primary.
Conclusion
“Cut the Bishop’s Tie” is more than just a fun Primary singing time activity—it’s a way to bring children closer to their Bishop, help them practice meaningful gospel songs, and make singing time both interactive and spiritual. This activity will leave a lasting impression on the children and help create a warm, inviting atmosphere in your Primary.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to have fun—it’s to help the children feel the joy of music, learn the principles of the gospel, and strengthen their testimonies through song. With a little preparation and enthusiasm, you can make singing time the highlight of their Sunday!