Create your own simple rhythm instruments using paper plates and try this fun Choose to Serve the Lord Paper Plates pattern in your primary room. Listen carefully for keywords throughout the song and tap along with these paper plate actions!
Choose to Serve the Lord Paper Plates
I am so excited about the primary song, Choose to Serve the Lord (archives). This song is an excellent choice for the Old Testament Come Follow Me year! As you teach this song in primary, you can really bring the scripture heroes to life for your primary children.
As you review this song, bring in some paper plates and try this pattern! I’ve come up with simple paper plate actions to pair with keywords throughout this song. This is a great way to help your primary children stay focused and engaged during singing time! Let’s jump in and I’ll share this paper plates activity with you.
How to Play:
For this living music activity (more ideas like this), the only supplies you’ll need are paper plates. Since these are so cheap & easy to find, I definitely recommend bringing enough for each child to have their own set.
Sing through Choose to Serve the Lord (flip chart here) once before introducing this activity. Since this song is likely to be brand new to your primary children, I definitely recommend keeping the lyrics close by as you review.
Then, choose a helper to come help you demonstrate an action from paper plates key. Whisper to the child to tap twice whenever the group sings the name of someone in the scriptures.
Have the rest of the group sing through the song again. Watch closely. Can you figure out the pattern?
That’s right! Each time we sang the name of a scripture hero, we tap two times! Let’s try it together. Pass out the paper plates and try listening closely for names from the scriptures.
Ready to add in another action? Pat your lap each time you sing a word that references yourself, like “I,” “Me,” or “My.”
Put one action card on the board at a time and try it out with the song! Now, let’s listen for references to Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ. Can you clap up high?
Lastly, swish your plates back and forth when you sing the word, “choose” in the chorus. Work up to all 4 actions or just do one at a time – totally up to you! You older primary children may especially be up for the challenge!
Paper Plates Key Word Pattern:
I’ve included the keyword actions for this paper plate pattern below. Start with just one action and slowly add more or just try one at a time! This pattern can be used with any verse you are teaching, but I focused on just the first verse for this activity.
- Scripture Heroes (“Queen Esther,” “David”) – Double Tap
- Me/I/My – Pat Lap
- Lord/Christ/God – High Clap
- Choose – Swish
Extension Activities:
- Split into 4 groups, with one action per group. Sing through the song and have each group sing and do only their action. Then, rotate and try a new action!
- Turn this pattern into a “code” by having the kids listen and watch as you sing the entire song with all the actions. Can they figure out what each action stands for?
- Cut out the action cards and put them in a bowl. Randomly choose one action each time you sing through the verse and chorus.
Choose to Serve the Lord Paper Plates Pattern Video Demo
Watch this short demonstration video and practice this paper plates pattern along with me! In this video, I share several different ways to use this paper plates keyword pattern and demonstrate the pattern for the first verse.
>> Choose to Serve the Lord Paper Plate Demo Video <<
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this I Need Thee Every Hour Paper Plates singing time activity!
Choose to Serve the Lord Paper Plates Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes 1/4 page key word paper plate action cards.
This activity has extended printables available including 2 additional bonus actions, full page action cards, and black and white printable cards. You’ll find these bonus files included in the INSTANT Primary Singing membership when Choose to Serve the Lord is the featured song of the month.
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!
Learn more about INSTANT Primary Singing membership options here!
Have questions or need more help, see this FAQ page here.
You won’t want to miss this Choose to Serve the Lord Hero Names review idea with a fun puzzle to rearrange the scripture heroes in this song!
What other fun ways will you use this paper plates singing time activity in your Primary room?
