You will have so much fun teaching The Books of the Book of Mormon Primary song to your Primary children this upcoming year with this fun movement activity that beautifully connects the lyrics with a sequence that’s easy to remember. In this The Books of the Book of Mormon Body Rhythm pattern, you’ll repeat a simple sequence twice as you make your way through the song.
This is a great song to included as you work through teaching the Come Follow Me Book of Mormon Lessons this year. It will help the children remember the order of the books for a lifetime!
Sing through The Books of the Book of Mormon (flip chart here) song once, before introducing this rhythm activity.
Ask the children to watch carefully while you do the pattern – sing the song together.
Ask what patterns did they see? Take answers and demo the moves as they mention them. Do they think they can follow along? Try singing it acapella (so you can control the speed) and adding the actions, demonstrating as you go.
You can call out “freeze!” if you need to help redirect the children or remind them of where their hands should be. Ask them, are your hands on your hips, like mine? Great! Let’s tap tap and continue!
Freeze when you get to the middle (end of the 1st verse). Do you know what happens next? See if anyone remembers that the pattern repeats. If not, just remind them! We’re going to do the same pattern for the 2nd half, but watch for one small change.
Freeze after you point to your head for “learn the teachings”. Did you catch this change? Since this time we’re talking about learning instead of the Words of Mormon, we’ll change this one spot. Move your hands like mine!
Try the pattern again from the beginning without stopping. Ask the children, how did you do? Do you got it? Who wants to come up and lead the actions? Invite a few children (or a class) to come help lead and sing through the song again.
Body Rhythm Pattern:
- Pat-Pat-Pat-Pat – 1st and 2nd
- Cross right hand over left, left hand over right – Books of Nephi
- Tap-Tap Head – Jacob
- Tap-Tap Shoulder – Enos
- Tap-Tap Hips – Jarom
- Tap-Tap Knees – Omni
- Hands to mouth – Words of Mormon
- Hands on hips – and Mosiah
- Hold hands in a book – In the Book of Mormon
- Repeat the Pattern, only swapping out Hands to Mouth for Point to head on “Learn the teachings”
Extension Activities:
- Have the children help you come up with new motions to replace this set. You can start by replacing the head, shoulders, hips, and knees section, for example, with dab, hop, dab, hop. Or whatever they want to try! Just write the actions on the board in order to help everyone remember the sequence.
- Try singing this song slow and purposeful. One syllable at a time instead of rushing through the words. Now, sing it again starting slow and picking up speed until you sing super fast by the end. Like the gospel spreading through the world growing in momentum!
The Books of the Book of Mormon Body Rhythm Sequence Demo Video
To help you better see this whole body rhythm pattern and how it comes together, you’ll love this quick video tutorial demonstrating the sequence. You can also video this video on my YouTube channel here.
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this The Church of Jesus Christ Body Rhythm Partners singing time activity!
The Books of the Book of Mormon Body Rhythm Pattern Chart
This free in-post printable includes a large 3-page pattern chart to follow along with. You’ll find all the directions to follow the pattern above.
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including a 1-page pattern and black and white printables. You’ll find these bonus files included in the January packet in the Book of Mormon year.
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Continue on to this The Books of the Book of Mormon Order of Books activity next, coming later this week!
What other fun ways will you use this Body Rhythm singing time activity in your Primary room?
