Focus on song lyrics this week and use this fun Have I Done Any Good Movement Words activity in singing time! This purposeful movement idea will have your primary children out of their seats and engaged the entire time!
For a fun way to review Have I Done Any Good (archives) this month, choose simple actions to pair with words that occur frequently in the song. With very little prep and assembly, this might be your new favorite go-to primary idea!
See all Have I Done Any Good Singing Time Ideas here!
Have I Done Any Good Movement Words
When I was a primary music leader, I had so much fun coming up with creative ways to practice our songs in primary! However, Sunday morning often snuck up on me, and suddenly I was rushing to prepare an activity. Sound familiar?
This movement words idea is a great remedy for those busy weeks! You can use this type of activity with just about any primary song. All you have to do to prepare for this activity is look for words that occur frequently in the song. Group similar words together and choose a simple action to pair with each.
I’ve created a lesson plan with 4 key words or word types included in this song. I’ve paired each of these words with a simple action to do while you sing!
Introduce this activity by singing through the first verse and chorus of Have I Done Any Good. Feel free to grab our Have I Done Any Good flipchart if this song is still pretty new to your primary children.
Then, choose one movement word to start off with. I recommend starting with something simple, like “I.” Demonstrate that each time you sing the word, “I” quickly jump up like a kangaroo! Try singing through the song once, paying extra attention to those “I”s.
Ready to add in another action? I suggest adding any word that refers to someone else, like “someone,” or “others,” or “anyone.” Each time this word comes up in the song, point to someone in the room! Let’s try it! Did you catch them all?
Add in a third action and tell the kids to shake hands with the person next to them each time they sing a word that indicates a good deed or helpful action.
I bet we can do one more action! Go ahead and add in the fourth action and clap each time you hear an emotion word. You’ll find emotion words in both the verse and the chorus, so be on the look out for those!
Now it’s time for the ultimate challenge: Can you keep track of all the movement words? Sing through the entire song and see if you can get all the movement words! It’s definitely a challenge, but your primary children will love it!
Movement Words Guide:
I: Jump
- Hop in place
OTHERS: Point
- Point to someone in the room
- Use for words like “Anyone,” “Someone,” “Others,” “They,” “Their”
GOOD DEEDS: Shake Hands
- Shake hands with the person next to you for any phrase that talks about helping
- Use for words/phrases like, “Helped,” “Cheered,” “Made someone feel,” “Willing to share”
EMOTION WORDS: Clap Hands
- Give a big “CLAP” on any words that signal emotions
- Use for words like, “Sad,” “Glad,” “Joy,” “Pleasure,” “Love”
Extension Activities:
- Add an extra element by writing all the lyrics on the board. Use colored markers for each movement word and mark up the lyrics! This can be a simple way to introduce this activity and make it easier for your primary kiddos!
- Switch around the actions! For example, you could try clapping on each “I” and jumping on emotion words. You could also come up with completely new actions for each word or word group!
- Split the class into 4 groups for a fun game of 4 corners. Tape each movement word along with its action in each corner of the room. As you sing, have the children in each corner do only the action for their assigned word! Each time you sing through the song, rotate clockwise so that everyone can try each action!
- Change each movement to a silly sound instead! Here are some ideas: Hum, Click your tongue, Pop with your mouth, Moo, Quack, Whistle, etc.
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this The Iron Rod Movement Words singing time activity!
Have I Done Any Good Movement Words Demo Video
I was definitely out of breath after doing all 4 of those movement words in the song! Watch this demonstration video to see how I break down the movement words for this song and provide some tips for a simplified or challenge version of this activity! Can you catch all the movement words in the song? Try it with me and find out!
–> Have I Done Any Good Movement Words Demo Video <–
Have I Done Any Good Movement Words Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes a 1-page outline with all 4 movement words and a colorful symbol to represent each action! Just print/post the full page on your board during singing time or cut out each individual action to introduce the movements one at a time.
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including 1/4 and full page cards and black and white printables. You’ll find these bonus files included when Have I Done Any Good is the featured song of the month.
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Head on over to this Have I Done Any Good Choose the Missing Word idea for another fun review activity!
What other fun ways will you use this movement words singing time activity in your Primary room?
