To Think About Jesus Sand Blocks


Bring this song to life with this fun To Think About Jesus Sand Blocks living music activity! Just follow along with this simple rhythm pattern as you review this song in singing time!

This activity is a perfect way to engage both Junior and Senior primary kiddos while practicing To Think About Jesus (archives). Let’s jump in!

**See all To Think about Jesus Singing Time Ideas**

To Think About Jesus Sand Blocks - Use this fun living music activity and follow this simple sand blocks rhythm pattern for a fun way to review this D&C song with printable song helps for LDS Primary Music Leaders.

To Think About Jesus Sand Blocks

Did you know you can create simple rhythmic instruments for less than $5? Here at Primary Singing, we love incorporating everyday objects for fun & engaging singing time ideas!

You can make your own sand block instruments using something you might already have in your backyard: pool noodles! Head over to our DIY Sand Blocks post to learn how to make your own sand blocks at a fraction of the cost!

For a fun way to review this song, focus on the music and follow along with this sand blocks pattern! I’ve created a simple printable pattern included later in this post to make your primary prep a breeze!

To Think About Jesus Sand Blocks - Use this fun living music activity and follow this simple sand blocks rhythm pattern for a fun way to review this D&C song with printable song helps for LDS Primary Music Leaders.

This rhythm pattern couldn’t be easier! For this pattern, we’ll just be using one action for short notes and one action for long notes in the song. This sand blocks pattern works great with both verses!

At the beginning of singing time, start by singing through the first verse and chorus of To Think About Jesus (lyrics here).

Then, bring out a set of sand blocks and sing or say the first line of the song. As you sing, “It shouldn’t be” tap your sand blocks together for each syllable. Then, as you hold out the word, “Hard,” swish your sand blocks together. Repeat this pattern for the phrase, “To sit very still.”

Ask the kids: What do you notice about this pattern? What types of notes get a tap? Which type of notes get a swish?

Once the kids are ready to try this short-long rhythm pattern, pass out all the sand blocks. Post 1 page of the sand blocks pattern on the board at a time. These symbols will help us know when to tap and when to swish.

Sing through one page at a time using the rhythm pattern, then add on the next part of the song! I find this much easier and more engaging than showing the whole pattern all at once.

Are you ready to try the entire pattern? Let’s do it! Continue with this fun rhythm pattern as you sing this song in primary!

To Think About Jesus Sand Blocks - Use this fun living music activity and follow this simple sand blocks rhythm pattern for a fun way to review this D&C song with printable song helps for LDS Primary Music Leaders.

Sand Blocks Rhythm Pattern:

As I mentioned before, this pattern focuses on distinguishing between long and short notes in the song. While you can definitely just use careful listening for this pattern, I’ve also included a printable pattern guide with symbols to help your primary children visualize the rhythm pattern outlined below.

  • Short Notes – Tap blocks together
  • Long Notes – Swish back and forth

In this example below, every syllable will get a short tap except for the words that are italicized.

Ex: “It should-n’t be hard to sit ve – ry still and think about Je – sus his cross on the hill.”

To Think About Jesus Sand Blocks - Use this fun living music activity and follow this simple sand blocks rhythm pattern for a fun way to review this D&C song with printable song helps for LDS Primary Music Leaders.

Extension Activities:

  • Swap out some of the taps with other simple actions! Here are some easy ideas: Pat knees, tap head (arm, leg, etc.), rub tummy, high five a friend
  • Make it a partner pattern! Just tap your blocks across with a partner and rub your blocks together for a fun way to add more interaction!
  • Have one side of the room do the taps and the other side do the swishes. Then, switch!
  • See what other fun patterns the kids can come up with! Have each class come up with their own pattern to teach the class or have volunteers come up to lead.

To Think About Jesus Sand Blocks Demo Video!

Check out this demonstration video to see how this rhythm pattern works! In this video, I’ll demonstrate the entire first verse and chorus of this song using the two actions in this pattern.

—> To Think About Jesus Sand Blocks Demo Video <—

Use this Sleep Little Jesus Sand Blocks living music singing time idea and learn this simple rhythm pattern to pair with this Christmas song. Includes printable song helps for LDS Primary Music Leaders.

For another fun activity using sand blocks, head over to see this Sleep Little Jesus Sand Blocks singing time activity!

To Think About Jesus Sand Blocks Printable Song Helps

This free in-post printable includes a 3-page rhythm pattern with symbols to represent long & short notes in this song! Since there are lots of short notes in this song, you’ll notice that I’ve included numbers that indicate how many times to repeat the action (ex. TAP 10x).

To Think About Jesus Sand Blocks - Use this fun living music activity and follow this simple sand blocks rhythm pattern for a fun way to review this D&C song with printable song helps for LDS Primary Music Leaders.
To Think About Jesus Sand Blocks Singing time ideas for Primary Music Leaders INSTANT Primary Singing Extended Printables

Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including a pattern key page, version with keywords, 2nd verse, and black and white and 1-page options! You’ll find these bonus files included when To Think about Jesus 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!

INSTANT Primary Singing Doctrine & Covenants Access Packet - Includes teaching ideas for ALL of the Come Follow Me songs for the D&C year including fun singing time ideas for the holidays, custom art flip charts, D&C year themed helps, even bonus planners and teaching demo videos! Everything you need to help you be successful as an LDS Primary Music Leader!

Learn more about INSTANT Primary Singing membership options here!
Have questions or need more help, see this FAQ page here.

Head over to this fun To Think About Jesus Directed Listening activity for another easy review idea!

To Think About Jesus Directed Listening - Connect spiritually with this song by carefully listening to the lyrics and answering questions about the song. Includes printable song helps for LDS Primary Music Leaders.

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


Join INSTANT Primary Singing today for immediate access to monthly printable singing time ideas!

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