Are you looking for some fun ways to teach I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus in Primary? I’ve got you covered! Here, I’m sharing all of my I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Singing Time ideas that I have published here on this blog, plus lots of other awesome teaching activities from around the web you’re going to love.
Do you have a favorite Primary song? This one is up there on the list for me!
This song is included in ALL 4 years of the Primary Come Follow Me Program songs lists. Which year do you plan to teach it? I like to included it as part of the Primary New Testament songs as I think it’s a great fit for the year and theme!
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I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Teaching Ideas Packet
It’s easier than ever before to teach this beautiful song with a variety of different teaching methods using this I’m Trying to be Like Jesus singing time ideas packet! It includes lots of engaging ways to teach plus a custom art flip chart that makes it easy to learn the lyrics.
Score 7 fun ways to teach I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus with extended bonus printables in one easy to use teaching packet in my shop! Or, you can purchase the printable on my Etsy shop here.
I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Flip Charts
To get you started, a great resource is our I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Flip Charts post! There are several different styles including a colorful, a lyrics only, and even a slideshow option if you want to save your printer and display the words with a digital flip chart instead!
This is song #78 in the Children’s Songbook. You can grab the sheet music on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website here.
How do I teach I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus?
It will be easy to teach the song I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus by using the lyrics line by line with a color code that helps connect the core concepts of the song. Next, introduce the song with the rhythm using dominoes to make music come to life.
The Primary children will love playing through the Following His Ways board game to add in TONS of easy repetition or the song story to have a meaningful slower moment with the song.
9 I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Singing Time Ideas
This post will help you find all of my I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus teaching ideas around this blog. Plus, I’m also sharing additional favorite lesson plans from other Primary music leaders at the end of this post!
1. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Dominoes Clack
Bring in something new and completely unexpected into the Primary room with this fun I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Dominoes instrument! The Primary children will love to clack along to rhythm with these patterns. This is a great activity for the first verse or second verse!
2. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Scripture Stories
Dive into the scriptures to add meaning to the song lyrics with this I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Scripture Stories lesson plan! It’s a great and easy way to teach with a spiritual learning style and add extra depth to your teaching.
3. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Song Story
A song story is a powerful and fun way to teach a song! Head over to see this I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Song Story to get started!
4. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Secret Mission
You’ll love this I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Secret Mission activity. You’ll assign a hidden mission to several teachers or maybe the older children in Primary Singing Time. Then, see if the kids can decode and spot each of the hidden tasks on the key words.
5. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Color Code
Use this I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Color Code to decode each color and missing words in this engaging way to interact with this song. It helps bring some of the concepts together in a unique way! You could even cut them up like puzzle pieces shuffle them into a random order, then have the children help put them back in the correct order.
6. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Music Video
A music video can be very powerful way to invite a special feeling into the Primary Room. I’ve sourced my 5 favorite I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Music Video options and how I plan to use music videos in singing time in this post.
7. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Word Shapes
Let the kids solve for the missing letters in this I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Word Shapes puzzle! Can the reveal the hidden message while they sing through the song? Several ways to use this activity to make it great for a range of ages.
8. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Following His Ways Game
Take on a twist of a classic candy land game with this activity to sing on repeat with this I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Following His Ways Game! It’s perfect for a review activity or great for teaching the song in a unique way as each game space represents one word of the song with different color spaces for Jesus and Us.
9. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Sing-Along Video
Join us in singing this beautiful song together with this pretty I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Sing-Along video that uses a guitar melody. I love this song so much, and the guitar just adds another lovely feeling to the music!
This would be a wonderful resource to use to introduce the song for the first time or to play the music while the kids listen for a spiritual connection activity. You can also send the link to the video home for families to practice the song from home.
21 More Ways to Teach I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus
1. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Handbell Chart
Handbells are always so much fun to use with Primary songs! Merry Bells makes printable bell charts or a fun Play Along DVD to use with a variety of Primary songs. Use coupon code PrimarySinging to save 10% on any order. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus is included in their Primary Set 1.
2. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Stick Puppets
I love these adorable stick puppets to help us shadow being more like Jesus Christ! You can pass out half children and half puppets of Christ song visuals. Then, have the kids take turns singing based on which puppet their holding, easy peasy!
3. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Partner Scarves
Bring out your dance scarves and use them with a partner in this fun and super simple idea for teaching I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus!
I use dance scarves all the time they’re SO much fun to bring into your Primary! Pick up a set of Dance Scarves from Amazon here. Plus, to help you easily come up with your own Dance Scarves movement patterns, head over to grab my Dance Scarves Movement Cards.
4. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – I Scramble
Follow Purposeful Primary Music’s idea to scramble up all of the “I” statements word strips on red paper and blue paper and try to get them back in the correct order to help the kids sing I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus in Primary!
5. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Lyric Signs
Use different shaped signs to teach the lyrics. This idea came from the singing time outline on page 17 from the 2012 manual. It’s a fun visual representation to teach this song. I love finding easy ideas from church magazines and resources!
6. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Egg Shakers
In this Pattern Video you’ll be able to bring the song to life with a fun rhythm and movement!
Egg Shakers are the first instrument I always recommend to a new music leader. They’re super versatile and easy to use! Pickup a set of Egg Shakers on Amazon here. Plus, a perfect help to get you started using your egg shakers with the rhythm and in creative and fun ways, pickup the Egg Shaker Beat Rhythm Cards I created.
7. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus – Simple ASL
Use these simple ASL signs to help teach the song lyrics with a purposeful way that actually holds meaning for the lyrics. This sister does a great job of demonstrating and giving a brief explanation to help you remember the sign.
8. Hands & Cups Percussion Band (YouTube)
9. I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus Affleck Family Choir (YouTube)
10. Bunny Effect (YouTube)
11. Rearrange the Lyrics (YouTube)
12. Circle Map (Facebook Group)
13. Hand Clap Pattern (Sharla Dance)
14. Listen & Yoga (Ministering Through Music)
15. Patsch-Cross Start at 7:24 (Sharla Dance)
16. Egg Shakers Pattern Start at 7:54 (Sharla Dance)
17. Dance Scarves Start at 6:06 (Sharla Dance)
18. Sign Instead (Sharla Dance)
19. Rhythm Sticks Roll (Teaching Primary Music)
20. Hand Actions Verse 1 and Verse 2 (Facebook Group)
21. History of the Song (Facebook Group)
Next, visit our Tell Me the Stories of Jesus Singing Time Ideas for lots of fun activities for Primary!
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What other fun I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus singing time ideas have you tried? We’d love to see your fun ideas! Share them in the comments to add to this list.