Portable Props

picture from this post

Put your props on foam board or a portable white board or any other sturdy board. That way you don't hog up the chalkboard and have to rip everything down in a hurry for your Presidency, or for the next Ward, or to get out of church quick or for whatever reason you're hurrying to get your stuff down.

Rolled Tape on Wax Paper

I watched a brilliant Counselor come up with a solution to rolling "tape dots". I use tape a lot and I've spent too much time rushing to roll "tape dots" (as I call them) in the 5 minutes before the kids come in. It's a rushed finger workout, for sure! Well here's a solution to do before hand so you don't wear out your fingers; Make tape dots at home and put them on wax paper or on a baking sheet. Easy prep, less pre-Primary stress! Many thanks to Sister N for this one!!!

"Real" Lamination

So, for over a year I was doing what I call "faux lamination" and using packing tape to cover my items. It worked, and is a viable option when you don't have access to a laminator.

But guess what I got for Christmas?  A home laminator!!!  Guilty confession... I love it!

Cookie Bouquet Display

A while back I bought my husband a cookie bouquet. I kept the sticks and display stand. They've worked wonderfully as a reusable visual aide!

*family pictures from OCD Chorister

Task Before You Ask

Cheryl K. on the Primary Chorister's Facebook Group shared this very, very helpful classroom management tip:


-> "Hands down, the BEST teaching advice I've ever been given is called, 'Task before you ask.' When you ask a question, give the kids something to do in response, or else they will all call out at once (because they all think you are talking to only them). This technique works well for attention-getting as well as any discussions mid-lesson. For example, you could say something like, "I want you to listen the piano, and when you know what song it is, put your hand on your head. Remember, no talking. Just put your hand on your head." Or, "Raise your hand if you can tell me one of Nephi's brother's names."

Another application for reverence - start out in a normal voice, then go more quietly as you point to different body parts: "If you can hear me, put your finger on your nose. If you can hear me, touch your ears. If you can hear me, fold your arms." Or, "If you are ready to sing today, can you please sit up straight and let me see your eyeballs?"

NEVER ask a question like, "Who knows what song this is?" or "Are you ready?" or "Do you want to do this again?" They will almost always call out all at once, and there's a good chance someone will answer inappropriately.

I hope this helps you. In all my years of teacher education, this is by far the best teaching/classroom management tool I have ever learned." <-

Using Cardboard From Cereal Boxes

image source

Cereal boxes are a great source for cardboard! Especially when you're making something you want to last. Glue your pieces to a flattened cereal box, then laminate (or faux laminate). Cereal boxes are a great alternative to poster board.

*NOTE: Glue the picture to the BACK side of the box. (Not like pictured below, lol!). Like I did for the faux lamination tutorial.

I did this for my "Holding Hands Around the World" kids. See:

Photo Printing

Sometimes it's cheaper to print pictures for posters and visual aides from your local photo store rather than print them at home - and they look nicer, too. That's the way it is for me, at least. I love Sams Club Photo. I upload online and pick up later. It works for me.

Faux Lamination

Glue your cut out pieces to poster board, cover them with strips of clear packing tape then cut out the pieces, leaving an edge (the thicker the edge, the better). Yes, it can be lot of work - but it can be cheaper and sometimes more convenient than running to the store.

visual aide covered in packing tape

HOW TO:

*I put this tutorial together while making the monster missionary match game.

NOTE: The heavier the tape, the better. The cheap stuff is flimsy and hard to work with. The dollar store stuff is worthless. Scotch has a good heavy duty tape. After a year in the Primary Music Leader calling I've done this with all types of tape.  :)

NOTE #2: This WILL make your scissors sticky. Especially with the heavier tape. The good news; scissors can be washed. :)

NOTE #3: I did not mean for my examples to have the same body position. They just want to say 'hi'! Both with their right hands, apparently.

1. Pieces are glued or taped onto cardboard backing (a cereal box, in this case)

2. On a clean surface, completely cover the front side. Row by row by row of tape.
Overlap rows a little bit. Give yourself plenty of room around the border.
You'll be sticking tape to the other side of the tape hanging off the border...

3. Flip it over.
The tape will hang over the edge. Do not let it fold back on itself.

*Now it's face down. See? It's a cereal box.  :)

4. Tape around the edges, covering the cardboard and the tape on the back side.
This will create a clear tape edge around the picture.
You can tape the whole back if you want to, but in this case it was a waste of tape. I just did the sides all the way around.

5. Trim the excess tape from around the edge. Leave a border of tape all the way around.
Tape should be stuck to tape, there shouldn't be any sticky spots.

* Can you see the clear tape border?

All done!

Another picture, for good measure.

Stand By Me

Never stand in one spot. If children are not being reverent while during singing time walk over to them and stand by them.


*Tip from my awesomely talented Mother-in-Law, Charlotte Stott Coleman who has been a Primary Chorister many times