For a fun way to focus on the lyrics of Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth (archives), use this fun Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth Opposite Words activity! Combine simple visuals with word pairs in the song to figure out which words don’t belong!
See all Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth Singing Time Ideas!
Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth Opposite Words
A few weeks ago, I got to sub for singing time (my all-time favorite!). I decided to use simple pictures to help the kids learn a new song. After singing time, I received compliments from the presidency about my use of visuals! This activity took all of about 5 minutes to prep and cost me $0. But it was effective and engaging for the kids!
This is why I try to incorporate visual intrigue activities as often as I can! Adding a visual element can really make a difference, especially for those sunbeams!
For this activity, we’ll be combining this visual element with a fun word game (see more word representation ideas here)! The basic idea behind this activity is to create simple opposite word pairings from the lyrics. As you review this song, find the correct word in each pairing using picture clues!
I’ve created several picture posters with opposite word pairings for every line of the song. Each word pair includes a lyric from the song and a silly word that isn’t quite right, as well as a symbol for each word.
What’s great about this activity is that it works well with both Junior and Senior primary children. Your Senior primary children will likely focus on the words, while your Junior primary children may be able to figure out the right answer just from the pictures!
Begin by reviewing the first verse of Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth (lyrics here). Encourage the kids to listen carefully to the words as they sing.
Ask the kids if they are up for a challenge. This challenge involves sorting through song lyrics and silly words and picking the correct word!
Post the first opposite words picture poster on the board. Hmm, which one of these words goes in our song? Let the kids look at the visuals for a minute and try to figure it out before giving a hint. If you need to give a simple clue, hum the correct word, then sing the next few words.
Once they guess the first one correctly, post a few more opposite word posters on the board. Sing through the song again and see if the kids can guess the next few. Have the children raise their hands when they think they know the correct answer.
For a fun way to engage the kids even further, choose a child to come up and be the leader. Have them point to the correct word on each poster as you sing through the song. You could also have the leader cross off each incorrect word to make the lyrics easier to sing!
Continue singing through the song as you find each word/picture in the lyrics. Once you’ve correctly determined which pictures don’t belong, sing through the verse once more.
Word Opposites Examples:
- [Home/School] can be a heav’n on earth
- When we are [Empty/Filled] with love
- Bringing happiness and [Joy/Sadness]
- Rich blessings from [Below/Above]
- Warmth and kindness, charity
- [Safety/Danger] and security
- Making home a [Whole/Part] of heaven
- Where we want to be.
Extension Activities:
- Pass out a few opposite words posters to each class. As you sing, have each class work together to figure out which word/picture doesn’t belong.
- Scramble up the pictures! Put the posters on the board in mixed-up order and try to put all the pictures in the correct order as they appear in the song.
- For a silly way to introduce this activity, sing through the song for your children with the WRONG words. See how quickly they can catch all the mistakes! Then, post the opposite word pictures and see how many mistakes they caught.
- Choose an action to do each time you come to one of the key words on your opposite word posters! Alternatively, hum or stay silent for each key word.
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this If the Savior Stood Beside Me Picture Match singing time activity!
Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth Opposite Words Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes full-page word opposites posters for each line of the song with simple visuals!
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including 8 contrasts for EACH verse! Includes both 1/4 and full page opposites pages. You’ll find these bonus files included when Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth is the featured song of the month.
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.
For a fun way to focus on the rhythm of the song, head over to this Home Can Be a Heaven on Earth Beat vs Rhythm activity!
What other fun ways will you use this opposite words singing time activity in your Primary room?
