I’ve been waiting to do this fun rhythm The Holy Ghost Hand Pattern I created for months and months now! I know my Primary kids will love this one.
It’s simple but still really fun and fits the rhythm of the song really well. Plus, I have some fun extension ideas up my sleeve to help mix it up after they’ve mastered the pattern!
After this fun activity, head over to see all our The Holy Ghost Singing Time ideas here!
The Holy Ghost Hand Pattern
How to Play:
Sing through the song one time before you introduce the pattern. You can use this The Holy Ghost flip chart here.
In Junior Primary, demonstrate the pattern. Then have the children follow along before adding the piano. Sing along the words as you slowly demonstrate the repeating pattern.
In Senior Primary, ask the kids to watch you do the pattern, and join in when they can. Just jump right in doing the pattern with the song one time through.
After the first time through with the pattern, review what the pattern is, so those that may not have picked up the sequence can join you next time. Sing through the song again.
Have helpers come up front to lead the pattern. You can do this by class, side of the room, or just call on a few kids that were singing well to come up front. I usually just let anyone who wants to come up as our Primary isn’t that big.
Hand Pattern for The Holy Ghost
LAP – LAP
CLAP – CLAP
TAP – TAP
CLAP – CLAP
How the pattern works:
- Patsch on your lap twice in a row.
- Clap twice in a row.
- Tap each hand on the closest shoulder, twice.
- Clap twice in a row.
- Then, start over from the top repeating laps, claps, taps, claps.
Pattern Sequence with the Lyrics:
- Lead with “When” starting your pattern on the first note of the measure, “Christ”.
- Lap-Lap: Christ was
- Clap-Clap: on the
- Tap-Tap: earth
- Clap-Clap: -th He
- Lap-Lap: promised
- Clap-Clap: he would
- Tap-Tap: send
- Clap-Clap: -nd the
Extension Ideas/Activities:
- Eliminate singing the words for when you tap. Then, eliminate the words for when you pat on your lap. Then split the room. One side sing for the laps and one sing for the clap words. (Skip the tap words).
- Let the kids help you mix up the pattern to make it harder! Replace the taps with a new action. Then add another new action in place of the laps or claps!
- One side of the room does the pattern
with the other side sings. Then switch!
See The Holy Ghost Hand Pattern in Action!
If for some reason the video here won’t load, you can pop over to my YouTube playlist for Singing Time ideas! It’s a good one to subscribe to, while you’re there. 🙂
For another super fun singing time idea, see how we use these cute posters to teach Gethsemane Sway & Tap singing time lesson!
Printable The Holy Ghost
Hand Pattern Lesson Plan
Print out this pattern helper to take with you to Primary! That way, you can easily refer to the pattern to help keep you on rhythm! Or, post the sign on the board for the children to reference.
You’ll find bonus extended printables included in the INSTANT Primary Singing Membership when The Holy Ghost is the featured song of the month. They included 1/4 page, 1/2 page, and full page action cards in color and black and white. Mix and match the pattern with these extended set of 6 action cards!
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.
Your Primary kids will also love our The Holy Ghost Number Problems singing time challenge! Head over to this post next.
What other fun hand patterns have you used to teach The Holy Ghost?
Thanks so much!