I love using hand actions in singing time! When I was a primary music leader, I almost always taught some simple actions to help my primary kiddos remember the lyrics.
For a fun way to keep your primary children engaged while learning Book of Mormon Stories this month, use this fun Book of Mormon Stories Action Words activity! Use simple hand actions for keywords and phrases in this song!
See all Book of Mormon Stories Singing Time Ideas here!
Book of Mormon Stories Action Words
This activity includes hand actions for the first three verses! You can find hand actions for all 8 verses with our INSTANT Primary Singing membership when this is the featured song of the month!
These hand actions can be used to introduce or review this fun song! I’ve included an outline of the actions for the first 3 verses later in this post. If you’ve already started teaching his song in primary, start by reviewing the first verse, just use this Book of Mormon Stories flip chart to help.
Say or sing the first phrase and have your primary kiddos repeat after you. While singing, “Book of Mormon stories,” put your hands out to imitate the pages of a book. When you sing the phrase, “teacher tells to me,” cup your hands near your mouth to imitate a megaphone.
Continue working through the first verse phrase by phrase. Use simple actions to represent each phrase to help the kids remember the lyrics.
Once you’ve taught all the hand actions, sing through the entire verse using the actions! Continue practicing the first verse or start teaching the hand actions to the second verse! Totally up to you!
Book of Mormon Stories Action Words:
I’ve outlined all the hand actions for the first three verses of this song below! Be sure to grab the printable too for some visuals to help you teach these actions!
Verse 1:
Book of Mormon stories – Hold hands out like a book with pinkies touching.
Teacher tells – cup hands near mouth to form a microphone
Lamanites in ancient history – Create a bow & arrow. Start with both hands together in fists. Then, slowly pull one hand away to mimic the pulling of a bow.
Far across the sea – Create a wave with your hand by facing your palm downward and wiggling to the other side of the body.
Giv’n this land – Hold right hand out with palm facing upward
If they lived – Hold lefy hand out with palm facing upward.
Righteously – Bring arms in one syllable at a time to fold arms. Then, bow head on the syllable “ly.”
Verse 2:
Lamanites – Create a bow & arrow. Start with both hands together in fists. Then, slowly pull one hand away to mimic the pulling of a bow.
Seeking liberty – Close fingers to make “binoculars” and hold up to your eyes.
Welcomed all – Wave hello!
Book of Mormon stories – Hold hands out like a book with pinkies touching.
Giv’n this land – Hold right hand out with palm facing upward
If they lived – Hold lefy hand out with palm facing upward.
Righteously – Bring arms in one syllable at a time to fold arms. Then, bow head on the syllable “ly.”
Verse 3:
Alma – Create an “A” triangle above your head by bringing both hands up and touch fingers to create a point up high.
Fought against the right – Create an “X” above your head by crossing both arms.
Angel came – Create a halo above your head by bringing both hands together in a circle shape.
Alma learned humility – Fold arms to pray or press palms together.
Then he taught – Hold right hand out with palm facing upward
In the land – Hold lefy hand out with palm facing upward.
Righteously – Bring arms in one syllable at a time to fold arms. Then, bow head on the syllable “ly.”
Extension Activities:
- Use this activity once you’ve introduced multiple verses of this song! Post each action words poster on the board and cover up the title. See if the kids can correctly match each poster to the corresponding verse!
- Split the class into small groups! Have each group come up with their own set of actions for a verse and teach their actions to the class!
- Silent Words! Each time you do an action, hum or sing the lyric that goes with the action. Or switch it up and only sing the action words!
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this Tell Me Dear Lord Action Words singing time activity!
Book of Mormon Stories Action Words Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes action word posters with hand action symbols for the first 3 verses of the song!
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including actions for all the verses! You’ll find these bonus files included when Book of Mormon Stories song 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.
Head over to this Book of Mormon Stories Scripture Stories for a spiritual connections review idea!
What other fun ways will you use this action words singing time activity in your Primary room?
Do you have actions for all the other verses?
The other verses are included in the INSTANT Primary Singing membership or Book of Mormon Stories packet as extended printables.