God Called it Good Paper Plate Actions

I just couldn’t help but feel emotional when I first heard the new primary song, God Called it Good (archives). This tender song is a beautiful way to teach our primary children about God’s creations.

For an engaging way to review this song in singing time, try this God Called it Good Paper Plate Actions idea! Simply tap along with this rhythm pattern that uses just 5 easy actions!

God Called it Good Paper Plate Actions

You will love how simple this paper plate pattern is! This living music activity is a great way to get all your primary kiddos involved, from your youngest Sunbeams to your Valiant children.

I’ve created a rhythm pattern with just 5 actions that repeat for the verse and chorus. Just grab a big stack of paper plates from your pantry or the store to create some cheap rhythm instruments for singing time.

Before passing out paper plates, sing through God Called it Good (flip chart here). I love singing through the song first for a brief review. Since this song is pretty new, it may take your primary children a little bit more time to catch on. This way, the children feel more confident in participating, even if they weren’t there the week before. 

Give each child 2 plates. To save some time, give each teacher a big stack to pass out to the kids in their class.

Then, demonstrate the first action. Heavenly Father created the sun. Let’s make a big circle with our paper plates. Create a big circle in the air while you hold both of your plates together.

To make the rays of the sun, tap your plates in a big square pattern as you sing, “to share both its warmth and its light.”

Next, pat your lap on the phrase, “Growing food underground.” Swish your plates back and forth as you sing, “food could be found.”

For the last line, we’ll tap our hearts. Heavenly Father created this wonderful earth because He loves us so much.

Let’s try all 5 actions! Who can remember what the first action was? That’s right – a big circle! Sing through the verse with the paper plate actions a few times.

Guess what? We don’t have to learn any new actions! The actions pair really well with the lyrics for both the verse and the chorus, so simply repeat the pattern.

Continue tapping along with this fun pattern as you help your primary children learn this sweet song and grow their appreciation for Heavenly Father’s creations.

Paper Plate Actions:

Here’s a basic run-down of the paper plate pattern for this song. Be sure to grab the printable version later in this post for some helpful visuals.

• Hold Together and Draw a Big Circle – “How was the sun placed at the right distance” and “All together the day and the night”
• 4 Corners Tap (Square) – Tap on beat – “to share both its warmth and its light” and “in great orchestration He created life”
• Pat Lap or Tap Low – “Growing food underground” and “all things work together to do as they should”
• Swish – “food could be found” and “Is it any wonder”
• Tap on Heart – “and earth could support human life” and “God called it good”

Extension Activities:

• Try tapping with the beat first. Then, tap on every syllable/note to follow the rhythm. Once the kids feel comfortable with the rhythm, try adding the actions in the pattern.
• Try the alternate patterns for the 2^nd and 3^rd verse for more of a challenge for Senior Primary.
• Try this pattern with other instruments! Bring in maori/rhythm sticks, egg shakers, bells, or just clap the pattern. Have one class tap the pattern with sticks while another class uses egg shakers. Then, swap!
• Assign 1-2 actions to each class. Have each class tap on their actions, then rotate to sing another part of the song.
• Divide the room in half, with one “team” for the verse and one for the chorus. Make it a competition and see which side can sing louder, more reverently, etc.

For another fun similar activity, head over to see this Choose to Serve the Lord Paper Plates singing time activity!

God Called it Good Paper Plate Actions Printable Song Helps

This free in-post printable includes a 1-page pattern with helpful visuals for all 5 actions in this rhythm pattern.

This activity has extended printables available including 1/4 page and full page action cards, an extended alternate pattern for the 2nd and 3rd verse, and a pattern chart with the lyrics. You’ll find these bonus printables included in the INSTANT Primary Singing when Called Called it Good is the featured song of the month.

We can’t wait to share ALL our God Called it Good activities with you! Stay tuned for more fun ways to review this song in primary!

What other fun ways will you use this paper plate actions singing time activity in your Primary room?