Thursday, February 28, 2013

Scripture Scatergories: Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

Review of The Names and Titles of Jesus Christ
See the photos below. They explain more than some of my words
  • I divided my class in to 3 teams (I have 24 students. Smaller teams work best-I would do 4 teams next time-just so there is an opportunity for more participation from each student)
  • I had 3 chalkboards set up in the Cultural Hall
  • Each team had 5 minutes to list as many names and titles of Jesus Christ they could remember
  • The teams were set up around the room far away from each other so they could not hear  the others' conversations and they were in a position that they could not see the other teams' boards.
  • At the end of 5 minutes, we rolled the boards next to each other and compared the lists.
  • As I called out a name from the 1st team's board, if others got it, then a line went through the name
  • If they were the only team to list that name they got 3 points
  • After we check all three boards, they tallied up the points (1 point=for a name/title that the others listed, 3 points= for a name/title that no one else listed)
Another adaptation: Signs of the Second Coming
This activity is great any time you have lists to review.








Seminary at 6am is the best!!!!!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

For God So Loved The World

Valentine treat bags for my Seminary students
See photo below for a close up of the scripture
 We were studying the book of John the week of Valentines Day. Perfect timing.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Late Night Seminary?

I got this from fellow Seminary Teacher, Pam
I am sure we have all asked this question at times.
When I stop to think about it, there is so much wisdom in Seminary at 6am, even though I am dog-dead tired by Friday.

Monday, February 18, 2013

The Garden of Gethsemane

I used this idea from a great blog, Being LDS.
We started with a white flower and clear water.
I dropped red food coloring in to the water to represent our sins that Christ would take upon himself.
When we came to class the next morning, the white flower was red.
It had taken on all the sins, pain, sorrow, hurts, of the world.
Very effective visual to teach the Atonement.

It was interesting to hear my students come to the realization that they could give more than their sins to Christ and that he would take their pain, sorrow, disappointment, hurt, etc.

Heart Attack In The Making

Studying John 13-17 during Valentines Week was perfectly timed.
The Savior taught about love 34 times in those 5 chapters.
I had the kids make Valentines to decorate the Bishops' doors and the hallway near the main entrance.
The Valentines were addressed to many people in the ward.
I told them to think about those who may not be as obvious as the Bishop or Youth Leaders.
Some of the kids gave a great deal of thought to make the members of both wards in our building feel special.
As we lined the walls with the Valentines, 
I was sure of one thing...This is the BEST kind of Heart Attack ever.
Not to mention, the ONLY kind of Heart Attack you would ever want.
 I wish I had allowed more time for this activity. As soon as everyone caught the vision of it, the clock reminded us it was time to pack up and be off to school


Sunday, February 10, 2013

BYU Education Week

Seminary Teachers and Friends,

Have any of you attended Education Week at BYU as a Seminary Teacher?
If yes, what are your tips for how to get the most out of it.
Did you feel it helped you be a more effective Seminary Teacher?
Are the crowds too overwhelming?

I attend BYU Women's Conference every year and I have learned the ins and outs of navigating the crowds, which classes fill up, which venues are best, etc. I am sure there is the same to learn for Education Week.
Any input for Education Week? Please leave a comment.

If you haven't attended...are you thinking about going?

If you have attended...
Did you go alone?
Did you go with friends?

Please share.



Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Palm Sunday

As my students entered the building, they were greeted by a path lined with palm leaves. This set the stage for us to discuss Holy Week, the final week of the Savior's life, starting with Palm Sunday and the Triumphal Entry.
 There was also a palm branch at the seat of each student and I discussed how in many faiths, on Palm Sunday, palms are distributed to the members and they make crosses or crowns representing the crown of thorns placed on Jesus as he was on the cross.   I printed out the instructions for making a cross from palm leaves  and as I taught, I welcomed them to try their hand at braiding the palm leaves, making a cross, or just using a leaf as a book mark.



Names and Titles of Jesus Christ

Our Names and Titles of Jesus Christ poster   is filling up, however, it is getting harder for the students to find something that has not already been listed. To help them filling up the poster board with names, I have been using the simple technique of word scramble. It has stimulated more research on names and titles. 
In case you are wondering what the answers to are:
AMEN
CHOSEN OF GOD
DELIVERER

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Help Help Help

Seminary Teachers...
Former Seminary Teachers...
Seminary Students, past and present...
Anyone connected to LDS Seminary, HELP!
Do you know where to order these Scripture Mastery plaques?
On the back of each of these, there is a sticker with the following information:
Hand Crafted
in the Studios of:
Barbara and Dan Williams
Columbia, TN (931) 381-3610
The number is disconnected and so far, a google search has not been fruitful.
Can anyone point me in the direction of where/how I can order these 
plaques for Seminary Scripture Mastery?
Please leave a comment if you can help.



Have you seen these in years past?
Do you know if they are still available?
Do you have one of these from any year?

Books of New Testament Relay

  • Divide class into teams (smaller teams are better so students get to participate at a deeper level)
  • Give each team a bag that contains the names of the books of the New Testament written on individual cards-I used 1/2 size of a piece of construction paper. 
  • One at a time have a team member draw a card out of the bag and race to the opposite wall to post. (provide masking tape or sticky tack)
  • As soon as a student posts their card, they race back and tag the next team member who does the same. Continue this process until all cards are drawn.
  • Once all the cards are posted, the team members race down to the wall and make any corrections needed.
  • When they are confident their cards are in order, they all sit down and you can check for accuracy.
  • If your class is very small or you don't have space for a relay, just give teams a bag and have them arrange the book names in order in the space that works best.
  • Adapt this for learning the  Old Testament or Book of Mormon books
Great way to learn and reinforce the books of the New Testament in order.



 The end result.

Scripture Relay

I placed post it notes on the wall of the cultural hall containing one word or punctuation mark from 
1 Corinthians 10:13. The class was divided in to teams so I did the same for both teams but on opposite sides of the cultural hall. When I said go, they had to race all the words down to the other end of the cultural hall and place them in order. It was a very effective way to review the scripture. My only advice is to make smaller teams. I have 24 students so I should have made 4 teams rather than 2.
When this was complete, there was another relay where the team had to put the books of the New Testament in order (see next post) Again, very effective, but smaller teams are recommended.