Activity: Word Count

This is a great review game that you can play one week a month if you like.  It's easy to prepare, simple to play, and the kids love it.

To play the Senior Primary version of the game, print the document below.  In it, you will find four pages of frequently-used words from our primary songbook (with emphasis on the 2012-2014 Primary Program songs).  After you have printed the document, tape the pages together as shown below.  The first page is in the upper left, second in the lower left, third in the upper right and fourth in the lower right.  Each column should be in alphabetical order.  Laminate the pages or cover the front in clear shelf paper if you plan to reuse the game.

Hang the poster at the front of the room where all of the children can see it.  If you have a large primary, read very quickly through the list of words, so that those who cannot see well will be able to understand.  

Ask the children to raise their hands if they have a favorite primary song in mind.  Choose one child to pick a song.  Sing through the song and ask the children which words from the board occurred in the song.  Variations of the word (i.e. righteous, righteousness, righteously) totally count!

Cross off the words which the children have heard.

At the end of singing time, count the words which have been crossed off and write the number on the back of the page.  Try to beat your score the following month!

(The first time you play the game, it will go very slowly.  However, as the kids try to beat their previous scores, they will learn to choose quickly, sing quickly, pay attention to the words you've sung, and choose the next songs strategically to cross off the maximum number of words.)  I think this is a good exercise to get the children thinking about which songs cover which topics.  Later in life, when they have questions, they may remember that we can find answers to those topics in Primary Songs!

 the link to the Senior Primary Word Count Game is below 

For Junior Primary, I have simplified the game.  Follow the instructions for Senior Primary with the following exception; the children are searching for songs which cover the listed TOPICS, rather than WORDS.  The point of this exercise is to help the Junior Primary children understand what each of their favorite primary songs is about.   

the link to the Junior Primary Word Count Game is below