You will love this fun & simple Nativity Song Partner Rhythms people interactions activity! For a fun way to review this beautiful Christmas song in singing time, grab a partner and learn this pattern that has just 3 actions!
The Nativity Song is a great primary song to include in your Christmas songs list! I love how this song tells the story of Christ’s birth verse by verse. This song can also a great one to act out for your ward Christmas party!
Whether you are learning this song for the first time this year or reviewing it in singing time, this engaging activity is sure to win over your primary kids!
The Nativity Song Partner Rhythms
Review the first verse of The Nativity Song (flipchart here) at the beginning of singing time. Then, have each child choose a partner. For a fun way to mix up partnerships, pick partnerships by matching colors, birthdays, or even first letters of names!
Have each partnership stand facing one another. Post the partner rhythms key on the board and try all three actions before showing the pattern. This pattern includes just 3 actions! Pat knees, single clap, and partner clap.
Slowly demonstrate the pattern for the first phrase of the song, “This is the season” by patting your knees, clapping your hands, and putting both hands out to clap twice with your partner!
Sing or say the phrase, then repeat the pattern for the second half of the line. Have the kids repeat after you!
Then, try the next line of the song with the second page of the pattern. This line breaks down the syllables into 2 groups of threes. Repeat the pattern twice for “Sing-a-rhyme, Christ-mas-time.”
The last page of the pattern is exactly the same as the first except that it does not repeat. Once you reach this page, repeat the entire partner rhythms pattern for the last 2 lines of the verse.
Have some fun using this pattern as you introduce or review this beautiful Christmas song in primary this month!
The Nativity Song Partner Rhythms Pattern:
This partner rhythms pattern is so simple, with just 3 actions! Use these actions for multiple lines of the verse. This pattern is also repeatable for all the verses of this song, so you can use it for any verse you are teaching in primary!
The entire pattern is repeated twice for each verse. I’ve outlined the entire pattern below, and I’ve also included a printable pattern sheet later in this post! Be sure to grab the printable for the visual pattern.
3 Actions:
Pat Knees: This action can be done while sitting or standing. Simple tap or pat both your knees!
Single Clap: Clap your hands!
Partner Clap: Reach across your body to clap hands with your partner! You can mix up the type of claps you use. Here are some examples: Double clap straight across, single clap straight across, or single clap diagonal. You choose!
Pattern 1: PAT KNEES — SINGLE CLAP — PARTNER CLAP — PARTNER CLAP (REPEAT 2X)
Use this pattern while singing the first and third lines of the song. For the most part, each action falls the main words or syllables.
“THIS (Pat) is THE (Clap) SEA – SON (2 Partner Claps) be LOVED (Pat) OF (Clap) THE YEAR (2 Partner Ckaps).”
You’ll also use this pattern for the third line of the song that says,
“TELL (Pat) the TRUE (Clap) STO – RY (2 Partner Claps) of JE – (Pat) E (Clap) – SUS’ (Partner Clap) BIRTH (Partner Clap).”
Pattern 2: PAT KNEES — CLAP — PARTNER CLAP (REPEAT 2X)
Each action in this pattern corresponds with one syllable in the 3 syllables grouped together in the second and fourth lines of the sings.
“SING (Pat) A (Clap) RHYME (Partner Clap) CHRIST (Pat) – MAS (Clap) – TIME (Partner Clap).”
You’ll also repeat this pattern for the first part of the 4th line that reads,
“WHEN (Pat) AS (Clap) A (Partner Clap) BA (Pat) – BY (Clap) HE (Partner Clap)”
Pattern 3: PAT KNEES — SINGLE CLAP — PARTNER CLAP — PARTNER CLAP
This pattern is exactly the same as pattern #1, except that it does not get repeated. Instead, you’ll start over at the very beginning of the pattern when you finish pattern 3.
Use this pattern for the phrases,
“SOON (Pat) WILL (Clap) BE (Partner Clap) HERE (Partner Clap)” and the last phrase,
“CAME (Pat) TO (Clap) THE (Partner Clap) EARTH (Partner Clap).”
Extension Activities:
- What other actions can you come up with? Once the kids are familiar with the pattern, try substituting a clap for a snap, jump, or spin!
- Split the class into 3 groups. Be sure that each group has an even number of children for partnerships. Assign each group one page of the partner rhythms pattern. Have each group sing their phrase as they demonstrate the pattern!
- Have each group come up with their own pattern for a line of the song! See what creative actions they come up with!
For another fun similar activity, head over to see The Church of Jesus Christ Body Rhythm Partners singing time activity!
The Nativity Song Partner Rhythms Demo Video
Check out this demonstration video as you prepare to teach this partner rhythms pattern in singing time this month! In this video, I’ll demonstrate the entire pattern and provide some extra tips for using this activity in primary! Practice along with me!
–> The Nativity Song Partner Rhythms Demo Video <–
The Nativity Song Partner Rhythms Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes a 3-page outline of the partner rhythm pattern with visuals to help you remember the pattern! I’ve also included a one-page key with each action and a corresponding symbol.
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including a 1-page pattern guide and black and white printables. You’ll find these bonus files included in the December Book of Mormon packet.
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Head over to this The Nativity Song Primary Nativity Skit for a full script and costume ideas to share this song with your ward!
What other fun ways will you use this partner rhythms singing time activity in your Primary room?
