Through Jesus Christ’s Atonement and Resurrection, sorrow becomes joy, death becomes resurrection, and despair becomes hope. Use this Easter Hosanna Before & After singing time activity to help your primary children better understand this sweet Easter song!
Compare and contrast word pairs from the song lyrics while reviewing Easter Hosanna this month in primary!
See more Easter Hosanna Singing Time Ideas here!
Easter Hosanna Before & After
Use this Before & After activity for a fun way to introduce or review this song in primary! The basic idea behind this activity is to pair words from the song lyrics that indicate cause/effect or differences/similarities.
During singing time, look at these word pairs and discuss the differences together. Sing through Easter Hosanna (lyrics here) once before introducing this activity.
I’ve created a printable Before & After chart with word pairs from the first verse and chorus. Post the completed chart on the board or cut into individual word strips.
Ask the children: What do you notice about these words? How are they similar? How are they different? Invite the children to think about and discuss how each of these word pairs are connected.
If using word strips, see if the children can figure out which words go together. Hint: Think about the lyrics. What comes first? Is there a cause & effect relationship?
Sing through the song again. Can you find the word pairs in the lyrics?
Continue to discuss for a few minutes how each of these word pairs go together. What are some feelings associated with each word? For example, how did Christ’s friends feel when he died compared to how they felt when he was resurrected?
At the end of this activity, share a brief testimony about Christ’s resurrection. Just like the people shouted, “Hosanna!” we can also celebrate Christ’s resurrection and feel thankful that we, too can be resurrected one day.
Before & After Word Pairs
Each of these word pairs can be found right in the song lyrics! There is one word pair found in each line of the first verse and chorus. Take a look at the word pairs included below and grab our printable flow chart to illustrate these relationships.
I’ve provided some brief explanations below for each word pair to demonstrate associations between these words. What other similarities and differences can you think of?
Prophecies –> Fulfilled
Jesus Christ fulfilled ancient prophecies about a Savior who would come to the earth to redeem all mankind. Samuel the Lamanite prophesied that darkness would cover the land when Christ died. That prophecy was fulfilled later in 3 Nephi 8.
Dead –> Risen
After Christ died, He was resurrected. Through Christ, death becomes resurrection. Christ overcame both physical and spiritual death. Although we all die spiritually due to sin, we can be spiritually reborn through Jesus Christ.
Above –> Down
Christ descended from heaven above to come down to earth to fulfill Heavenly Father’s plan. After He was resurrected, Christ ascended again to his Father, then returned to visit the people in the promised land.
Received –> Cried
When the people in the promised land received Christ, they cried for joy. When we accept and utilize Christ’s Atonement, we can have joy.
Hosanna + Blessed + Most High
These three words describe feelings associated with Christ’s resurrection. These are the words spoken by the people in the promised land when Christ came to visit them.
Extension Activities:
- Assign each class 1-2 word pairs. Have them discuss in groups how these words are similar or different. You can also encourage them to think about “how” one word becomes the other through Christ’s resurrection. Write down words or feelings that come to your mind when you think of these words.
- Cut each word pair into a large word strip. Fold the word strips and have a child come choose one at random. Have the class figure out which line this word pair comes from, then sing it together!
- Break down each word pair using scriptures. What prophesies were told about Christ’s death and resurrection? Read about the people coming to Jesus when he was resurrected in 3 Nephi 11:15.
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this The Lord Gave Me a Temple Same & Different Chart singing time activity!
Easter Hosanna Before & After
Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes a colorful flow chart with word pairs from the song, as well as a black-and-white list with all the words from the chart.
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including 1/4 page and full page before & after matches plus keywords from the 2nd verse. You’ll find these bonus files included when Easter Hosanna is the featured song of the month.
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Continue over to this fun Easter Hosanna Partner Rhythms movement activity for singing time next for another great way to teach this song.
What other fun ways will you use this before & after singing time activity in your Primary room?
