This fun I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Dominoes singing time idea came around completely by accident! I was planning to use sand blocks but didn’t have any on hand and picked up two dominoes to practice the pattern and loved the sound!
The kids will think it’s so fun and unique to be using dominoes in singing time and with these fun patterns they’ll have a great time getting in lots of repetition. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus (archives) is one of my song picks for the New Testament Come Follow Me songs, but it’s also on the monthly list this month!
*See ALL I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Singing Time Ideas Here*
How to Play I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Dominoes
Sing through I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus with a flip chart once before introducing this activity.
Show the children that you brought in something fun and different today! Show the children two ways they can hold onto the dominoes:
- Hold onto the slim edge and tap the dominoes straight together.
- Hold the number side on one end and tap the other ends together.
Demonstrate how you’ll use the dominoes to clack them together once per word by singing the first line or two of the song acapella and following the words.
Did you notice how I only clacked the dominoes once on valiant and servants? Do you think you can try that with just one clack per word?
Pass out 2 dominoes per child. Let them practice the first line with one clack per word with you before adding the piano accompaniment. Freeze! You did so good! Let’s try it with the music!
Sing through the song trying it once per word. Wow, you all did so good at that! Let’s try it another way. Do you think you can follow the beat of the song? Let’s tap with a steady beat like this.
Demonstrate clacking with 4 per measure. Let them try with the first line of the song. Add music and sing through the entire song following the steady beat.
Which pattern did you like better? One time per word or following the beat? Let’s have this half of the room do words and this half do beat. Who can help me lead? Then swap sides.
Okay, now I have one more really fun pattern to try! Did you notice that some of the words we hold for a long time? Let’s tap as fast as we can, like this (demonstrate), whenever we get to one of those long notes! Let the kids try it out. Use either previous pattern and add the fast speed clacks to held notes. Or, do just the long notes!
I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Dominoes Demo Video
You can watch this quick video demo of how to use this fun singing time idea! If for any reason it has trouble loading, you can also see the video over in our Primary Singing Ideas YouTube Playlist!
More Ways to Teach I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus
Sand Blocks – As an alternate, you can use sand blocks instead. I was originally designing this lesson plan for using sand blocks, but I left all mine with the new music leader. So, impromptu I picked up two dominoes to practice a sand block pattern and this activity was born!
Pat Instead – Have half of the room pat instead and then see how you create a little band! Or, have 1/3 clap, 1/3 pat, and 1/3 use the dominoes to clack! Listen to all that wonderful noise!
3 Groups – If you really want a challenge – split the room into 3 groups and have one clack on the word, one clack with the beat, and one clack only the long notes.
Teamwork – Have the children work as a team clacking their dominoes together with each child holding just one domino. It will up the challenge and coordination!
If you love bring unique instruments into your Primary room, you will love this Love is Spoken Here egg carton instrument idea!
I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Dominoes Printable Song Helps & Lesson Plan
This printable lesson plan includes a cute dominoes poster with the 3 different patterns so you can post that on the board to help your sequential learners be ready for what will come next! It will also help when dividing the primary into 3 sections to help them keep their pattern straight!
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Head over next to see our I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Following His Ways game lesson plan!
What other fun ways could you use dominoes in Primary? How did this I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus dominoes activity go over with your kids?
