Bring the Gethsemane song (archives) to life with a fun round of alternating singers that will give both a challenge and a fun activity in one. This Gethsemane What Comes Next lesson plan adds in a fun element of echo singing with the Primary children taking the lead.
This is a great activity for your logical learners especially! The silent singing (or singing in their head) will actually help them retain and remember those words!
Head here to see 25 Gethsemane Singing Time Ideas for more wonderful ways to teach this song!
Gethsemane What Comes Next
How to Play:
Sing through the song once first.
Then, post the posters with the what comes next pattern. Each dot represents one word that the echo singers will sing.
I plan to sing solo all the words typed out and have the kids fill in the missing words. You could also do this the other way around, if you’re teaching the song.
Next, we’ll split the room and one half will be the words and the other half of the room will be the dots.
Extension Activity: For more repetition, if you have time, have the whole Primary room sing either the words only or the dots only.
Challenge Round: Have one child lead the what comes next activity. He can pause singing whenever he decides, and the echo singers will sing the next 2 or 3 words, whatever the Primary room decides before you start!
For another super fun spin on What Comes Next, see this adorable St Patrick’s Day What Comes Next activity over here.
Gethsemane What Comes Next Printable Singing Time Lesson Plan
You can grab this printable version of the game so it’s super easy, no prep required. It’s a 6-page printable so the words are nice and big on this pretty long song. Alternatively, you could do the same activity without printing at all.
Either write the words and dots like you see here up on the whiteboard or just sing and pause without any words at all. It will be easier for the kids to follow along with the number of dots outlined, though.
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Continue on to this fun Gethsemane Sway and Tap Primary singing time idea next. It’s a great interactive movement idea with lots of adaptions to make it fit your Primary!
What other fun ways could you extend this What Comes Next activity?