I Need Thee Every Hour Paper Plates

Looking for a fun & easy way to review I Need Thee Every Hour (archives) in singing time this month? This I Need Thee Every Hour Paper Plates activity is perfect in a pinch and makes for an engaging activity that both Junior and Senior primary children!

Follow along with this alternating pattern for a creative way to focus on the rhythm as you teach this hymn in primary.

*See all I Need Thee Every Hour Singing Time Ideas!*

I Need Thee Every Hour Paper Plates

For a fun way to practice I Need Thee Every Hour with your primary kiddos, focus on the rhythm and tap along with paper plate instruments! You won’t need to look too much further than your kitchen pantry for these unique rhythm “instruments.”

You’ll want to have a set of 2 paper plates for each child in primary. You can also have partnerships share a set, but it is definitely doable for everyone to have their own since they are so cheap and easy to find.

This song contains a lot of syncopation in the rhythm, which simply means that certain notes fall on a beat that is typically not emphasized in music. You can hear this in the long-short-short-short-long pattern of the first measure.

I’ve created an easy rhythm pattern to follow along with as you sing this song! This paper plates pattern is great for any verse you are teaching.

Before introducing this activity, sing through one verse of I Need Thee Every Hour (lyrics here).

Then, bring out a set of paper plates. Hold the plates so that the backs face inward, then swish them together. We’ll use this action for long notes.

Next, simply tap your paper plates for short notes. The rhythm for the first phrase will sound like this:

SWISH (NEED) – TAP TAP TAP (THEE EV-‘RY) SWISH (HOUR)

What do you notice about this pattern? That’s right! We swish on all the long notes and tap or short notes. Let’s try it together!

Pass out the paper plates and have the kids try the pattern with you. Work through each line to figure out when to switch between long and short notes.

If you are having trouble distinguishing each type of note, try the pattern with just the piano first. Can you hear where the long notes are? How about the short notes?

As you sing through the song, the kids will quickly catch on to the rhythm pattern! Try it a few times together before collecting all the paper plates.

Paper Plates Pattern:

This paper plates pattern is oh, so simple! With just two different actions to follow, your primary children are sure to be rhythm experts by the end! I’ve included some examples below, but I definitely recommend watching the demonstration video later in this post and grabbing a copy of the printable pattern too!

Swish = Long Notes (Ex. “Need” “Hour,” “Gra –“, “Lord,” etc.)

Tap = Short Notes (Ex. “Thee” “ev-r’y,” etc)

Extension Activities:

• Divide the class into two sides. Have one side do all the “Swish” notes and have the other side do all the “Tap” notes. Sing through the song once, then switch!
• Swap out the taps for another action to break up the repetition! Try patting your lap or tapping your head/shoulder/arm for a fun alternative!
• Make it a partner pattern! Clap across to your partner on each tap. Find a new partner each time you sing through the song. This is a great way to get everyone involved. Your social butterflies will especially love this variation!
• If you don’t have enough plates for each child to have their own set, break into partnerships and take turns doing the pattern for verse/chorus.

For another fun similar activity, head over to see this Away in a Manger Paper Plates singing time activity!

I Need Thee Every Hour Paper Plates Demo Video

Need a quick review before singing time? Watch this short video as you prepare to use this paper plates pattern in singing time to make your prep even easier! In this video, I demonstrate the entire paper plates pattern using the first verse as an example. Just grab the link below or find the video at our Primary Singing YouTube Channel.

–> I Need Thee Every Hour Paper Plates Demo Video <–

I Need Thee Every Hour Paper Plates Printable Song Helps

This free in-post printable includes a 1-page rhythm pattern with symbols for both actions used in this pattern.

This activity has extended printables available including a lyrics pattern chart, full page action cards, and a 1-page pattern guide for the verse. You’ll find these bonus files included when I Need Thee Every Hour is the featured song of the month. Find the full I Need Thee Every Hour teaching packet in my shop here.

Head over to this I Need Thee Every Hour Conference Quotes idea next for a neat way to help your primary children better understand the message of this song!

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