Sunday, August 16, 2009

Primary Program Preferences

I am once again in charge of writing the primary program for our ward and wanted to get some input on what everyone thinks about primary programs. Are there things you have seen done that you really like? Or don't like? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a bunch!!!
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5 comments:

Kim said...

I'm in charge too this year- We are going to mix up the kids a bit and have the older kids sit by some of the younger ones.

August 17, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Claire said...

One thing that really bugged me this past year with our ward's primary program was the way they arranged the kids. I love the idea of having big kids sit near the older kids, but in our ward, they put a bunch of the tallest kids in the dead center and tons of the smaller kids got lost in the back. My good friend is married to a non-member and he came to church to see the program- they couldn't even see their daughter through the whole program. Mixing it up is good, but be sure that all the kids are as visible as possible!

August 18, 2009 at 12:48 AM
Linz said...

Are you in charge of writing it as Chorister? I've only ever been in charge of writing it as a counselor and I could be wrong, but I think that's kind of standard.

I think it's nice to keep the focus on the monthly themes. Simple is good. Extravagant is tiring for the kids and stressful for the leaders.

We did seating arrangements by class and put the teacher of that class right in the middle of them. I figured the teacher would know their kids the best when it came to any potential discipline problems and could most easily prompt the kids when it was their turn to speak. Mixing it up does sound interesting, but as was mentioned, it is good to be aware of heights.

August 18, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Jen L said...

Yup, this is my second year writing it as the chorister. It doesn't really matter who writes it, as long as the Bishop approves it.

I like the idea of mixing it up, I've never seen that before. We have such a huge primary that I think it would work... especially with flanking the young kids so the bigger kids still would not block any small ones.

August 18, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Tiffany said...

when i wrote it last year I stuck to the monthly themes and scriptures like Linz said, I gave each kid two speaking parts (our primary is kind of small) and I had them each write one of their own parts. (they did it beforehand obviously and I worked it into the program) I came up with questions beforehand having to do with each monthly theme and assigned one month to each class and asked the teachers to ask their students the question and record their responses...they were then in the program. they were simple questions for the little kids like: Heavenly Father has created each of us in His image. We are all special. What about yourself are you thankful for?" my favorite answer was: I am thankful to be me because I can walk around in circles. It was cute. But the older kids related times when their prayers were answered or ways they can prepare for missions now. It was fun hearing each of their answers in their own words and helped them to apply the teachings to their lives. I liked that.

We've also done reader's theater before with our older boys reading out different scripture stories.

we've also had teacher led class discussions (written out beforehand, but made by the class) about different topics.

We also collected various talks given in Primary throughout the year and picked a couple favorites to have the child repeat for our program.

I think its fun to change things up a bit, so its not just every kid getting up, reading and sitting down.

anyway, good luck! i'm sure it will go great!!

August 18, 2009 at 9:37 PM

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