Have you hear the pretty new Christmas song If I Were There by Angie Killian? You’re going to love it!
If you’re looking for a fun way to get started teaching this song, I’ve created an easy to follow If I Were There Dance Scarves pattern for the chorus and an extension of additional actions for the first verse.
If I Were There Dance Scarves
How to Play:
Sing through If I Were There once before introducing the dance scarf actions. You can use our printable If I Were There Flip Chart here, if it helps!
Demonstrate the first main action – a big circle every time you sing “If I Were There”. Have the children practice it in the air with their arms. Pass out dance scarves.
Sing through the song and just add the big circles for anytime you sing “If I Were There”.
Demonstrate the actions for the chorus. Let the kids follow along while you sing the chorus acapella and show the actions.
Sing through the song again with everyone adding the actions!
Share a short :30 message about it might have been like to be there at the Savior’s side in the manger and a testimony that he is always beside us!
Dance Scarf Actions for the Chorus:
- If I were there, I’d find the manger – Big circle, Draw an X
- And bow before the tiny Savior – Low squiggle on the ground
- I’d sense the peace that filled the air – Slow arch over head
- If I were there, if I were there – Big circle, repeating small circles
More Teaching Ideas to Use Dance Scarves
- Add additional actions for the main verse lines! You can have the kids help you create actions, randomize by drawing one of our dance scarves movement action cards, or create a pattern you prefer. Here’s some ideas for the first verse:
- Big circle “If I Were There”, hold the dance scarf covering your face for “on that silent night”
- 2nd line: Hold the scarf in one hand and wave it back and forth like waving hello.
- Big circle and then drag the scarf from low on the ground across the ground quickly like you’re hurrying as you raise it back up the center.
- Toss and catch for the last line.
- Let’s try it again on fast speed – do you think you can do it? Sing at a faster pace and keep up those actions!
- Come up with actions to try as a group of 2! One is the manger, the savior, the angels, etc in the song. How can you pair 2 different sets of actions and have them come together beautifully to represent the lyrics? The older kids will love this as a challenge!
For another fun and engaging scarves singing time activity, head over to see our dance scarves pattern for I Want to Live the Gospel.
If I Were There Dance Scarves Printable Singing Time Teaching Helps
I’ve made a colorful chart with the different dance scarves actions to help your visual learners (and you) follow along with the sequence!
You can print either the larger 3-page printable or the single 1-page sheet with the actions. I’ve also included a 1-sheet with optional actions for the first verse.
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Head over next to this cute themed If I Were There Picture Me There activity for another fun way to teach this song.
What other simple ways could you extend this activity or other actions have you tried to teach If I Were There with Dance Scarves?
