Choose the Right Chimes & Bells

Here’s a fun activity, teach the hymn with this Choose the Right Chimes & Bells charts! You can use pipe chimes, hand bells, or both in this one of a kind lesson plan the kids are going to love!

The hymn Choose the Right is included in both the Old Testament and Doctrine & Covenants Primary Songs List for Come Follow Me. I recommend teaching this song as part of the Old Testament year, but it works great for either one.

Choose the Right Chimes & Bells

Setup:

• Gather pipe chimes #s: 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 15 (plus 5 for the 3^rd verse)
• Gather hand bells: A, B, C (red), E, F, G (plus D for the 3^rd verse)

You’ll play either the chimes or the bells JUST when you sing the line “Choose the Right”. There are 4 instances in the 1^st and 2^nd verse and 6 times in the 3^rd verse.

The notes are aligned in the order of the phrases, so the first time you sing “Choose the Right’ you’ll play notes 7, 8, and then 10 in order. The second time, you’ll play chimes numbered 12, 14, and 15. Finally, you’ll end with playing chimes 14, 12, and 10 two times.

Intro:

Sing through Choose the Right hymn (lyrics) once, before introducing instruments.

Sing through the song and demonstrate when the chimes and/or bells will be played. You can lay the chimes down on the holders to make it easier to play.

Ask the children, what did you notice? When did I play the instruments? What words did you sing each time? (Choose the Right)

You’re right – every time we sing Choose the Right I’ll have my helpers play the bells. Do you think you can follow along?

Instrument Instructions:

You will need 6 kids to help you play the instruments. Or, in a smaller Primary you can use 4 kids and have one of the children play both #7 and #10 (E and G) and another child play both #8 and #15 (F and C).

For the 3^rd verse you’ll need one additional participant. You can have the person who plays Chime #14 or Bell note B play the additional #5/D note.

Point to the note in sequence of when to play each note. Each child will hold one chime holding by the string at the top and being careful not to touch the chime. The children will watch for their specific number and strike the chime with one swift tap.

For bells, they’ll hold the bell on their palm or against their chest, until it’s time to ring out their bell.

Everyone sings along with the song and pick new helpers after each time through the song until everyone gets a chance to chime the chimes!

Extension Activities:

• Sing through the song a few times with chimes, then switch and sing through the song a few time with hand bells. Now, for a challenge, try BOTH at the same time.
• Stand on “Choose the Right” and sing out the line as emphatically as you can.
• Have all the other kiddos clap through the 3 words along with the instruments.

For more ways to use pipe chimes in your Primary room, head over to grab this The Iron Rod Pipe Chimes Chimes Chart!

Choose the Right Chimes & Bells Printable Charts

This printable includes the chimes and bells chart for the 1st and 2nd verse. Each is just a single page printable. You can print one, or both, depending on what instruments you have on hand.

You’ll find a printable lesson plan and an additional chimes and bell chart for the 3rd verse included in your extended printables as part of the INSTANT Primary Singing membership when Choose the Right is a 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!

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For another engaging way to teach this song, head over to grab this Choose the Right Code Words lesson plan!

What other fun ways could you mix and match and include chimes and bells in your singing time!

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