For a fun way to get your primary children interacting with one another during singing time, try this Hark the Herald Angels Sing Body Rhythm Partners activity! This simple alternating pattern includes just a few actions that will be easy to follow as you teach the Christmas hymn, Hark the Herald Angels Sing (archives) in primary!
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Body Rhythm Partners
It’s never too early to get a jump start on Christmas songs in primary! Our master list of Christmas Songs includes SO many options that are great for sacrament meeting, ward parties, or even for a special primary caroling activity! I especially love this upbeat Christmas hymn because it is likely to be familiar and has some repetition.
As you teach this song in primary, try this fun body rhythm partners pattern! The best part about this people interactions activity is that it requires no extra materials! Just run through the pattern a few times to familiarize yourself with it, and you’ll be ready to go!
This partner pattern can be used with any of the verses of this song that you are teaches! Before introducing this rhythm pattern, start by singing through one verse of Hark the Herald Angels Sing (flip chart here). This is a nice way to ease into the activity and refresh the lyrics.
Then, have everyone turn to face a partner. Have a teacher come help you teach the pattern. There’s no need to teach it to them beforehand. They will catch on in no time!
Start with a big clap on the word, “Hark!” Then, do a diagonal partner clap by reaching right hands across. You’ll do this partner clap for the word “herald.” Repeat this pattern for the words “angels” and “sing,” but with left hands reaching across this time. Pretty easy right?
Now let’s switch it up. Pat your knees twice on each syllable of the word, “glo – ry.” Follow this by clapping both hands across for a two-handed partner clap. Repeat these actions for the phrase, “new – born king.”
Can we put those two patterns together? Let’s sing through the first two lines of the song.
Guess what? There aren’t any new actions we need to learn! This pattern works really well throughout the entire song! Just continue switching off between each pattern. If you get off track, no big deal! It’s super easy to jump back in.
For a fun finish, replace the clap with a spin on the last word of the song, “king.” You all did such an awesome job working together on these patterns!
Body Rhythm Partner Pattern:
PATTERN 1: CLAP / DIAGONAL CLAP Repeat 2X
For this pattern, start by clapping your hands. Then, reach your right hand across for a diagonal partner clap. Repeat this pattern twice for one phrase. In the examples below, each action change is indicated with a slash mark. A double slash is used for the repeat.
Examples:
- “Hark! / Herald // angels / sing.”
- “Peace / earth // mercy / mild.”
- “Joyful / all // nations / rise.”
PATTERN 2: PAT – PAT / CLAP ACROSS Repeat 2X
Pattern #2 starts with two knee pats. Then, simply reach both hands outward to clap with your partner.
Examples:
- “Glo – ry / to // new – born / king.”
- “God and / sinners // recon – / ciled.”
- “Join the / triumph // of the / skies.”
Extension Activities:
- Have one side of the room do only the first rhythm pattern and have the other side do the second rhythm pattern. Alternate singing each line of the song, then switch the next time you sing through it!
- For a fun twist, swap partners throughout the song! As you sing, randomly call out “Switch!” Everyone has to find a new partner as fast as they can.
- Choose some easy actions to swap out to add some variety to the pattern! Choose action cards from a jar and replace each single clap with one of the new actions. Here are some ideas to get you started: snap, stomp, roll arms, twist, jump, side-step, etc.
For another fun way to get your primary children interacting with each other, head over to see this Shine On Team Patterns singing time activity!
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Body Rhythm Partners Demo Video
Boost your confidence for teaching this body rhythm partner pattern by trying it out with me! In this video, I explain how to use this alternating pattern and demonstrate the entire pattern using the first verse as an example. I also share a fun adaptation of this activity that your primary kids will love!
–> Hark the Herald Angels Sing Body Rhythm Partners <–
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Body Rhythm Partners Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes a 1-page pattern with all 4 actions.
This activity has extended printables available including 1/4 and full page action cards plus 4 additional bonus action cards and a 2-page larger pattern guide. You’ll find these bonus files included in the Hark the Herald Angels Sing teaching packet in my shop.
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.
Head over to this Born to Bring Us Joy Action Words next for another fun way to get everyone moving with this sweet Christmas song!
What other fun ways will you use this body rhythm partners singing time activity in your Primary room?
