I saw this fun idea on my son’s spelling homework sheet and thought it would be really fun to include in singing time. While it’s a traditional letter puzzle, I can see it having some great logic tie-ins and patterns the children can use to place the letters in the right spots in this unique I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Word Shapes game.
I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus is included in EVERY single year of the Come Follow Me Primary Program song lists. That tells me this song is really important for these kiddos to learn! While you could teach any of the Primary years, I think it’s the best fit to teach as part of the New Testament Primary Songs this year.
*See ALL I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Singing Time Ideas Here*
I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Word Shapes
Sing through I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus (flipchart here) once before introducing this activity.
Post a word shape puzzle up on the board or pass out a printable to small groups or each child individually depending on your Primary size and what would work best for your group.
As the children what they notice – what shapes or patterns do they see? What might they represent? Some thing they might mention is some boxes are tall, some hang down low. There’s a match of two that look the same. They look almost like words.
Talk about one or two of their observations, then tell them to listen for clues while you sing through the song again to see if you come up with more ideas! Sing through the song.
Did you have any ideas how this chart my match the song we just sang? (Take answers – or give a clue that it has something to do with the lyrics). Can you help me solve where these letters go? Show the letter bank.
Have 1 or 2 children pick a letter and guess where it might go. If they’re correct, let the write in the letter. There are some easy letters they can pick first – like taller letters, only 1 wide letter only 2 letters than hang low, for example. They’re grouped in pairs to make this even easier!
Sing through the song and then take more helpers between each time through the song until the kids can guess what the missing phrase is!
Share that this activity reminds us that we don’t always get it right the very first time but we can continue to try to be like Jesus in all that we do in say and they way we try to show love and kindness to others. The important part is that we keep on trying because we get better at it as we continue to work at being like Him.
Extension Activities:
- Use this game like a classic game of Hangman. Let the children call out a letter and then fill in all the matching letters in their correct spot when the letter is named. (Just cut off the lower bar of letters!)
- Cut out the letter tile cards and draw them out of a bowl like you would a bingo ball. Announce the letter and have the children help you fill in the letter to the correct spot. You can use this as an individual game and write it on the board to help guide the kids where to fill in their sheet.
- Cut up the word shapes into puzzle pieces that have part of each word. Can they unscramble the correct order?
For another take on this game, head over to see this The Holy Ghost Hangman Blanks singing time idea!
I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Word Shapes Printable Song Helps
I have made this printable with two printable phrases – “I’m trying to be like Jesus” and “Love one another as Jesus loves you”. You will notice one has a word bank of letters and one a bank of the complete words.
INSTANT Primary Singing members will score a printable lesson plan, additional 1-page printable puzzles, and a letter bank to help with the additional extension idea way to use this activity. They are included whenever I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus is the suggested song for 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!
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For another great activity to teach this song, head over to see how I used this I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Music Video in Singing Time!
What other fun ways could you use these I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Word Shapes?