Get the whole Primary room up, moving, and engaged in this Search Ponder and Pray Team Patterns singing time idea! You’ll put the kids in charge of coming up with patterns and then teach the other team their actions!
This activity is a great example of how to use living music AND people interaction learning styles in Primary!
** See all Search Ponder and Pray Singing Time Ideas here! **
Search Ponder and Pray Team Patterns
Challenge the kids to come up with patterns as a team and then teach them to each other as you sing through Search Ponder and Pray with tons of repetition.
How to Play:
Sing through Search Ponder and Pray before introducing the activity.
Paper Plates:
Bring out paper plates for just the music leader and start a random mix of actions to go with the first few lines.
- Possible pattern: Clap the plates together on: Search / Pon- / -der / and / Pray
- Swish through the next line: are the things that I .. FREEZE!
Freeze – pause the song right in the middle of the line. What do you think of those actions?
I just came up with those on the spot, but I want to see what YOU come up with. Let me try one more time.
Sand Blocks:
Bring out sand blocks for just the music leader. Start singing through the next two lines with a random set of actions.
- Possible Pattern: Pat sand blocks on your lap on: The / Spir- / -it / Will / Guide
- Tap from head to toe: and / deep / inside / I… FREEZE!
Freeze! Pause right in the middle of the next set of lines. Hm, those were okay too. I bet you can come up with something better!
Group Patterns:
Have the kids sort themselves into two groups. They can stand up and move to one side of the room where there is a bucket of paper plates waiting and the other side where a bucket of sand blocks are waiting.
Ask another leader (or 2) to help with each of the groups to keep them on task.
Give them 30-60 seconds to think of a pattern together for the first line. Sing the first line 3-4 times through while they’re coming up with a pattern. You can use the printed cards to give them ideas!
Now, add the 2nd line, and third, etc. Building up a pattern.
Everyone returns to their own seats with their instruments. Have the Paper Plates group stand up first and show off the new pattern to the Sand Blocks group.
The Sand Blocks group will help by singing along. For a challenge (Senior Primary) you can have the Sand Blocks group mirror back the pattern singing through the song a second time.
They’ll just use their sand blocks to mimic the patterns the plates group created.
Now, switch! The sand blocks group will stand up and show off their actions. Add the challenge round if you’d like.
Finally, both groups will do their OWN actions while you sing through the song. Can they do it again fast?
Extension Ideas:
- Bring a mix of instruments and let them try with a different instrument next. You could use egg shakers and rhythm sticks. These music pattern cards makes it super easy to come up with a variety of sequences and patterns!
- Try a totally different approach to make their own patterns with dance scarves vs ribbon wands! Use our Primary movement cards to help the kids easily make their own patterns!
- Split the Primary into teams of 2. Work together as teams of two to come up with a pattern. Then take turns presenting their pattern in front of the Primary!
For more ideas how to expand this singing time activity or to try it with another song, see our fun Tell Me the Stories of Jesus Team Band singing time lesson plan!
Search Ponder and Pray Team Patterns Cards & Printable Lesson Plan
This printable lesson plan includes a 1-page printable with fun actions the kids can use as prompts to help them create patterns. You might print out 1-2 copies per group so they can mix and match the actions.
You’ll find a printable lesson plan and larger 1/2 page pattern cards included in the INSTANT Primary Singing membership when Search, Ponder and Pray is the featured song of the month.
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Head over next to see our cute Search Ponder and Pray Action Words singing time idea. It’s a great way to help the kids learn the words with meaningful representations of the lyrics.
What other fun ideas do you have for extending this Search Ponder and Pray Team Patterns activity?
