The World’s Smallest Shepherd Word Map

For a neat way to review The World’s Smallest Shepherd (archives) in singing time this month, visualize the lyrics with this The World’s Smallest Shepherd Word Map! Organize symbols and song lyrics to help your visual learners really connect with this song!

The World’s Smallest Shepherd Word Map

This word map idea is a great way to help your primary children connect with the song in a meaningful way! The basic idea behind this activity is to take words from the song and organize them visually to show how they all interact in the song.

I’ve created a word map with pictures and words to represent lyrics in the first verse and chorus. Simply cut out all the pictures and words before singing time.

Here’s a sample completed word map to give you an idea of what the end goal will be:

Before introducing this word map, you’ll want to start with a quick review of the song lyrics. Grab our The World’s Smallest Shepherd flip chart and sing through the first verse together.

Then, place the word bubble that says, “World’s Smallest Shepherd” in the center of the board. Who is the “World’s Smallest Shepherd” in the song? That’s right – Jesus! Place the Baby Jesus right below the word bubble.

Let’s sing through the song again. Listen carefully for things we learn about this special Shepherd.

Draw lines moving away from the center, and slowly add some of the words or pictures as you sing. The wisemen came to “behold” Jesus. Let’s add the eyes! Now, your map will look a little something like this:

“WORLD’S SMALLEST SHEPHERD” –> Jesus –> Wisemen symbol –> Eyes symbol

Do you see the little boy with his arms stretched out wide? He’s showing us how “big” Jesus’ fold is. Let’s add him to our map.

Continue adding elements from the word map until you have organized all the symbols and lyrics. If you’d like to use the word map for the chorus as well, all the symbols you’ll need are already there!

The goal is for this map to provide a neat visualization of the song lyrics and help your primary children deepen their understanding of this song! I hope it does just that.

Sing through the song once more, pointing to each element of your word map throughout the song. Share your testimony of the Savior at the end.

1st Verse Word Map:

Here is just one example of how to organize the symbols & words included in this word map for the first verse. Be sure to grab the printable version to make your singing time prep a breeze!

UPPER RIGHT – “WORLD’S SMALLEST SHEPHERD” –> wisemen –> eyes

UPPER LEFT – “WORLD’s SMALLEST SHEPHERD” –> arms outstretched — “FOLDS”

LOWER RIGHT – “WORLD”S SMALLEST SHEPHERD” –> “KNOW” –> Nametag

LOWER LEFT – “WORLD”S SMALLEST SHEPHERD” –> “RESCUE” –> sheep –> heart

Extension Activities:

• Ask for volunteers and randomly give each child one of the elements from the word map. Challenge them to figure out how each picture or word relates to the song. Then, have them add their elements to the word map one at a time.
• Indicate dynamics or tempo on the back of each picture/word (ex. Slowly, quickly, soft, loud, medium loud). Each time you add an element from the word map, flip it over and sing the verse as indicated.

• Read the parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:4, or read John 10:11 to read about Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd. What does a shepherd do? What does this teach us about Christ’s love for us?
• To organize your map as a flowchart, place the “World’s Smallest Shepherd” and picture of Jesus at the top. Then, organize the symbols/phrases vertically by order of how they appear in the song.
• Tape the symbols/word strips around the room. Each time you sing a line, pause and look around the room for an image or word that goes along with that line.

For another fun similar activity, head over to see this Kindness Begins With Me Word Map singing time activity!

The World’s Smallest Shepherd Word Map Printable Song Helps

This free in-post printable includes symbols and words to create a word map for the first verse.

This activity has extended printables available including word map images for the chorus and 2nd verse in 1-page and larger formats. You’ll find these bonus printables included in the INSTANT Primary Singing membership when The World’s Smallest Shepherd is the featured song of the month.

Check out this The World’s Smallest Shepherd Hand Pattern next for a fun way to incorporate movement as you review this Christmas primary song!

What other fun ways will you use this word map singing time activity in your Primary room?