You will love how easy this As I Search the Holy Scriptures Partner Clap activity is! For a fun way to involve all your primary children, have them pair up for this people interactions idea.
Follow this simple pattern with individual and partner claps to focus on keywords in the hymn, As I Search the Holy Scriptures (archives).
As I Search the Holy Scriptures Partner Clap
The basic idea behind this activity is to alternate between clapping your hands and clapping with a partner throughout the song. To prep for this activity, I looked through the song lyrics in the first verse and pulled all the major keywords, leaving out all the smaller words, like “And, my, be, as, I, the, etc.”
Then, I simply wrote out all the keywords in the order that they appear in the song and assigned each keyword an action. You can do this either with different colors or symbols. In the printable included later in this post, I’ve created a color-coded key with a simple symbol for each action.
No additional prep materials are required for this activity. You can add your own actions or keep it simple with just the two! You can also easily adapt this activity to review any of the verses in this song. Just pick out the keywords and clap along!
How to Play:
Start by reviewing the first verse of As I Search the Holy Scriptures (flipchart here) at the beginning of singing time.
Today we’re going to do a partner pattern! Quickly choose partners and have each partnership stand facing each other. If you want to use this activity to get to know each other better, have Senior primary children pair up with Junior primary kiddos.
Demonstrate the two partner clap actions by first clapping your hands. Then, clap across with a partner. That’s our pattern!
Post the partner clap pattern on the board with keywords from the song, as well as the color key. Do these words look familiar? Hint: They are lyrics in our song!
Slowly speak or sing the first page of the pattern while trying the partner claps together! Add in the music as you practice the pattern!
Once you’ve tried each page individually, try the entire song! Continue practicing this song as you create simple rhythms together!
Partner Clap Pattern:
This partner clap pattern is oh, so simple! It’s easy enough that even your youngest primary children will be able to catch on quickly! For this pattern, just alternate between clapping your hands and clapping across with a partner on each keyword in the song.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the pattern. Be sure to grab the printable pattern to post on the board during singing time so that your primary children can easily follow along!
Search – Clap Hands
Holy – Clap Across W/ Partner
Scriptures – Clap Hands
Loving – Clap Across W/ Partner
Father – Clap Hands
Mankind – Clap Across W/ Partner
Heart – Clap Hands
Blessed – Clap Across W/ Partner
Wisdom – Clap Hands
Knowledge – Clap Across W/ Partner
Fill – Clap Hands
Mind – Clap Across W/ Partner
Extension Activities:
- Want an extra challenge? Add in some additional actions! For example, switch out one of the actions for a knee pat, kick, double partner clap, or snaps!
- Create larger groups of 3 or 4 and follow this same pattern! Have each small group or class stand in a circle facing each other. Instead of clapping across to a partner, put both your hands out to the side to clap with the person next to you!
- Write a variety of simple actions on pieces of paper. Write out the key words on the board. Have children choose actions and tape the paper next to the key word! See if you can keep track of all the actions!
- Switch partners for the second half of the song! Or, randomly call out, “Switch!” a few times during the song and quickly switch partners.
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this Easter Hosanna Partner Rhythms singing time activity!
As I Search the Holy Scriptures Partner Clap Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes a two-page partner clap pattern with keywords from the song that are easy to follow along with.
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including hand action key, 1-page pattern guide, and additional patterns for all the rest of the verses. You’ll find these bonus files included when As I Search the Holy Scriptures is the featured song of the month.
To access the free in-post printables for this post, you’ll just need to create a free account or login with the Grow.me tool. Then, confirm by email and refresh the page and ALL my free printables will automatically unlock in every post!
For more information on why I use a content lock or how to create your account, you can see the FAQ page here.
For a neat way to invite the spirit as you review this song, dive into the scriptures with this As I Search the Holy Scriptures Scripture Hunt activity!
What other fun ways will you use this partner clap singing time activity in your Primary room?
