I can’t believe how quickly August is approaching! Summer time is sure flying by this year. Many of your primary children might already have Back to School on their minds! As a child, I always loved getting ready for a new school year.
To help your primary children transition back to the school routine, plan a Back to School singing time activity! You’ll love this simple Back to School Pick a Pencil idea! Just choose a pencil with an action attached and try the action while you sing!
Back to School Pick a Pencil
I can think of very few activities that are as simple as this Pick a Pencil idea! The basic idea behind this activity is just to write movements on a pencil and have the kids pick a pencil to determine which action will be used while singing. That’s it!
This activity can be used to review your focus song for the month or to review a variety of songs. Before primary, be sure to choose which song(s) you’ll be reviewing.
Grab a pack of wooden pencils from your local Walmart. School supplies are already on sale in many stores, so this is a great time to grab some supplies for primary! If you plan to include all the pencil actions, be sure to have 30 pencils. I also found these cute pencils at the Dollar Store that can be fun to use!
Print and cut out the pencil actions into small strips. Tape one strip to each pencil. I folded each strip in half and taped it in place near the top on the pencil. Place all your pencils in a jar.
Alternatively, you can write the actions with a fine-tip sharpie on each pencil. This makes for an easy movement idea that you can use over and over again in primary!
At the beginning of primary, ask the children to list some of the most important school supplies. See how quickly they can guess “pencils!” Then, bring out your jar of pencils and explain that you’ll be trying out some fun actions while you review your songs!
Choose a child who is sitting reverently to come choose the first pencil. Have them read the action aloud to the class. Then, have them use the pencil to lead the group while you sing! Each time you sing through a verse, choose another action. Continue trying silly actions until you’ve gone through all the pencils!
30 Pick a Pencil Action Ideas:
- March in Place
- Snap Your Fingers
- Tap Your Head
- Stomp on Keyword
- Pat Your Knees
- Wiggle Your Toes
- Write Your Name in the Air
- Switch Seats with a Partner
- Criss-Cross Your Feet
- Lasso Like a Cowboy
- Touch Your Toes
- Sway Side to Side
- Fly like an Airplane
- Back Row to Front Row
- High Five a Friend
- Clap on the Beat
- Stand like a Statue
- Jump up on Keyword
- Sing LOUD like a Lion
- Sing SOFT like a Mouse
- Clap on Keyword
- Drive the Car
- Reach Up High
- Ocean Waves With Arms
- Play an Air Instrument
- Wave Your Arms Up High
- Tap to the Rhythm
- Fold Your Arms
- Choose a Dance Move
- Freestyle
Extension Activities:
- Hide the pencils around the room! Have the children find the hidden pencils while you sing. Once a pencil is found, try the action attached to the pencil.
- Add some other school supplies to the mix! Bring in some Back to School supplies and have each item represent a different way to sing. This What’s in My Backpack activity has some great ideas for school supplies to bring to primary!
- Instead of writing different ways to sing, write song titles on each pencil. This can be a great way to review for your Primary Program! I always like to add in some fun wiggle songs too.
- Use decorative or holiday pencils to indicate different songs! Have each pattern represent one of the songs you are learning. This way, the song and action are both a surprise!
Try this Families Can Be Together Forever Pencil Rhythm Sticks for another fun primary idea using pencils!
Back to School Pick a Pencil Printable Actions
Grab this one-page printable for 30 Pick a Pencil Actions to use for this activity! Save time writing out the actions and just print & cut these action strips. Tape one action to each pencil and put the pencils in a jar!
You’ll find a bonus colorful version and 1/4 page cards for each of the actions included in the August New Testament INSTANT Primary Singing packet!
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For another fun Back to School activity, try these Back to School Schoolyard Games!
What fun activities will you be using this month as your primary kids head back to school?
