Here’s a super fun way to teach Children All Over the World that you’re going to love as it is a natural fit with the song’s message and lyrics! Bring in a variety of instruments to show that even with differences, we are all “part of the band.” This Children All Over the World Mixed Instruments lesson plan will help you have fun, make music, and help teach that lesson at the same time!
Children All Over the World Mixed Instruments
How to Play:
Sing through Children All Over the World (flip chart here) once, before introducing this activity.
Divide the room into 3 groups. You can do this class by class or in sections, or every 3rd child. It will be easiest for the children if the kids next to them have the same instrument, and more of a challenge if they have different ones, so adapt accordingly. It will also be easier for you to direct if the groups are divided in sections rather than by class. (Right / Middle / Left groups).
Let the kids know what instrument they will hold, then sing through the song with them following along with you leading the actions without the instruments. This will help them stay focused on the pattern and be ready to try it with their instrument!
Pass out the instruments to the group and follow through the pattern. Run through the song 2-3 times until everyone is comfortable with their part and the pattern.
Perform the pattern and let a couple kids of each instrument that would like to be invited to come up to the front and sing with the class and help lead the actions!
Children All Over the World
Mixed Instruments Pattern:
Rhythm Sticks: Tap together moving around in a circle – All over / the world / at the end / of day
Jingle Bells: Shake high, then low – Heav’nly Father’s children / kneel down and pray
Egg Shakers: Shake high, then low – Each saying thank you / in his own special way
All: Tap/Jingle/Shake on “thank you” and “special way” – Saying thank you, thank you in his own special way.
Rhythm Sticks: Slide up and down the rhythm stick – “Gracias.”
Jingle Bells: Shake as fast as you can – “Malo.”
Egg Shakers: Toss back and forth between hands – “Wir danken dir.”
All: Kids choice! Make soft noises: – All over the world tender voices hear.
Rhythm Sticks: Drumstick tap on lap – Some say “tak,”
Jingle Bells: Shake right and left – others “merci,”
Egg Shakers: Shake left to right to left – “Kansha shimasu,” we thank thee.
Rhythm Sticks: Tap on the last two words – (Our Heavenly Father) hears them;
Jingle Bells Shake on the last two words: – (He understands) each tongue.
Egg Shakers Shake on the last two words: – (Our Heav’nly Father) knows them;
All Tap and shake in a big heart shape: – He loves them, loves them, ev’ry one.
Extension Activities:
- You can switch any of the instruments above to be just one instrument type or your own mix using what you have on hand such as paper plates, pencils for rhythm sticks, etc.
- Have one part sing the whole song and do their parts of the pattern (or all of the pattern, slightly adapted) then switch to the next group.
- Use a sprinkle band – have all of the children with one instrument type stand on their parts and sing the lines. So rhythm stick kiddos would stand first and do their actions and sing then line, then sit while the jingle bells take over, etc.
For another fun lesson plan that uses a variety of instruments to teach the song, head over to see this I’ll Walk with You Mixed Instruments lesson plan for more ideas!
Children All Over the World Mixed Instruments Demonstration Video
I’ve created this demo video to make prepping this activity a cinch! In this video, I’ll explain how to incorporate multiple instruments in singing time and demonstrate the mixed instruments pattern for this song. I also provide some simple adaptations and ideas for ways to incorporate whatever instruments you have on hand!
–> Children All Over the World Mixed Instruments Demo Video <–
Children All Over the World Mixed Instruments Printable Pattern Guide
This free printable includes a 1-page guide to the pattern to help you teach the actions or to post up on the board for the children to reference.
You’ll find a bonus larger format 4-page pattern guide and lesson plan included in the INSTANT Primary Singing members in the October Book of Mormon packet.
Get more out of singing time with the INSTANT Primary Singing membership that includes printable lesson plans, tons of extended printables and an ad-free experience for each featured song of the month, or get immediate access to the entire song list for the year!
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Have questions or need more help, see this FAQ page here.
For another fun way to add in movement while teaching this song, head over to this Children All Over the World Body Rhythm lesson plan.
What other fun ways could you extended this mixed instruments activity to help you teach Children All Over the World in your Primary room?
