You’ll love this fun & easy Shine On Movement Words activity! This purposeful movement idea is sure to keep both Junior and Senior primary kiddos engaged the entire time!
Just pair each word about light with an action and have some fun as you review Shine On (archives) in singing time this month!
*See ALL Shine On Singing Time Ideas here!*
Shine On Movement Words
I love to have some easy go-to primary ideas for those busy weeks. You know the ones. Sometimes your week is just jam-packed, and all of a sudden it’s Saturday evening and you’re scratching your head trying to think about what to do for singing time. We get it!
This movement words idea is a perfect choice for a simple, low-prep idea. This activity is a great way to get your primary children to listen closely to the lyrics while getting in some movement!
If you’ve never used this type of activity before, the basic idea is to choose key words in the song to pair with actions. That’s it! It works with nearly any primary song! The only prep work is finding words that appear frequently in the song or seem especially significant.
There are 5 different words in the first verse and chorus of this song that refer to light: Light, Glow, Sun, Lighted, Shine. I’ve come up with 5 simple movements for each one of these words in the song. Each time you sing a word about light, try a new movement!
Start by singing through Shine On (lyrics here!) once before introducing this activity. A quick review is a great way to get everyone’s attention and begin with reverence.
Then, ask the children: How many times do we sing the word, “Light” in this song? Does anyone know? (*Hint: 2 times in the first verse!) Let’s sing through the song again, but this time, we’re going to clap our hands each time we sing that word!
What other words can you find in this song that refer to light? Sing through the song, then have the kids raise their hands to share “light” words. Did you find them all?
Starting with one key word at a time, pick an action to do each time you sing that word. Try a new movement word each time you sing through to song. For an added challenge, try to see if you can do ALL 5 movement words! Just add one action/word pair each time until you have all 5!
Continue practicing this song as you have some fun listening for those “light” words and moving around in singing time!
Movement Words:
These “light” words come specifically from the first verse and chorus of this cute song. However, since a few of these words can also be found in the second verse, feel free to use this activity to review just one or both verses!
You can replace any of these actions with another movement that sounds fun. You can also have the children use their own creativity to come up with actions as a group!
- LIGHT = CLAP
- GLOWS = STOMP
- SUN = PAT KNEES
- LIGHTED = DAB
- SHINE = STAND/SIT
Extension Activities:
- Write each “light” word on a piece of paper and place these in a jar. Fill another jar with movements! Each time you sing through the song, choose a volunteer to come up and pick a “light” word and an action to do. This creates a lot of exciting variety to keep everyone engaged!
- Assign each class 1-2 words that refer to light. Have them come up with an action to do for each one. Then, sing through the song as each class does the actions for their words!
- Hum or be silent on each movement word and only do the action! Or, do the opposite and sing LOUDLY for each movement word.
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this The Still Small Voice Movement Words singing time activity!
Shine On Movement Words Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes a 1-page guide with actions for all 5 “light” words found in the first verse and chorus this song. Just post this visual on the board as you sing to keep track of all the movement words!
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including a actions guide with lyrics and action cards in 1/4 and full page size. You’ll find these bonus files included when Shine On is the featured song of 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!
Learn more about INSTANT Primary Singing membership options here!
Have questions or need more help, see this FAQ page here.
Head over to this Shine On Prophet’s Words idea next for a neat way to focus on the message of this song!
What other fun ways will you use this movement words singing time activity in your Primary room?
