Philippians 4

Philippians 4:8 is cross-referenced to Article of Faith 13.
I want my students to associate Paul's counsel to the Philippians with Article of Faith 13.

I sent my students on a "Treasure Hunt" to students seek the virtues that taught by Paul and in Article of Faith. (Honest, True, Chaste, Benevolent, Virtuous, Doing GOOD to all men, virtuous, praiseworthy, lovely, good report)

They were divided into color-coded teams  (see photos below) and had to go around the building seeking for the words to fill in the blanks. Each team had 11 words to look for (good report counted as 2 words). When they returned to the classroom, they had to put the words in the correct blanks.

Each team selected one of the virtues we seek after and had to look up a scripture or quote to support that virtue and then explain how we can best seek after than virtue.

I showed the video,  "Texting Truth", that reinforced seeking truth and using the recent messages from LDS General Conference.

This was an interactive lesson that created the opportunity for students to  get up and move, use foot notes,  and "dive in" to their scriptures.

We are at the time in the school year where everyone is tired. Spring Break was very early for us and the months of April and May have very few days off. These "up and moving" days are important to balance out the dark, sleepy mornings.

(and yes, I corrected the spelling of Philippians on the posters pictured below)

 Happy Teaching!

Forgiving Others- Part 2

Object Lesson:

In 2 Corinthians 2:11, the Apostle Paul teaches that when we don't forgive others, we give satan an advantage over us.
I showed this powerful video, click HERE  and used the following object lesson based on a few ideas I have seen.

This object lesson demonstrates the protection that forgiving others brings to us.
Other applications for this object lesson: Put on the whole armor of God-Arming ourselves with spiritual protection, etc.

Here are the supplies and method:

1) Jar of "Forgiveness" aka Liquid Dishwashing Soap (I used Dawn)

2) Container of "Temptation, Evil, Spiritual Danger, Wickedness" aka Ground Pepper

3) Clear glass bowl filled with water

 The bowl of clean water represents the world

 Add some Temptation, Evil, Spiritual Danger, and Wickedness to the world

Dip your finger into the world  filled with evil and it will come out covered with pepper, "evil"
Clean your finger completely and dip it into the jar of "Forgiveness"
Dip the finger coated with "Forgiveness" in the center of the dirty water.
The "Temptation, Evil, Spiritual Danger, and Wickedness" scatter to the edges of the bowl and will not stick to your finger that is protected with "Forgiveness"

 Your finger will come out clean demonstrating that forgiving others protects us from satan's influences. Satan will not have an advantage over us when we forgive others.

General Conference Countdown Part 2

We made our General Conference Countdown paper chain this morning. It was a wonderful activity that supported Acts 27 when Paul and the other prisoners were taken on a ship. He warned everyone that it was not a safe time to travel due to weather conditions. It was storm season. He tried to warn them but they tried to sail anyhow. This ended with the prisoners and crew shipwrecked. We discussed how heading the counsel of Prophets will help us avoid storms, whirlwinds, and experiencing our own "shipwreck"

With 31 days until General Conference, on 15 of the paper strips, we wrote the names of the current Prophet, his counselors, and the 12 Apostles.
On the remaining strips of paper, we wrote principles and doctrines we have received counsel on from Prophets.
Each day, during devotional, we will remove a link. If there is a name, we will learn about that person, if there is a doctrine or principle, we will discuss quotes and scriptures that teach and give counsel on that subject.

I love when I have an idea and I can feel the Lord take over and fine tune the details. He is in charge.

The Apostle Paul

As I am teaching the New Testament, I am developing a great love for the Apostle Paul (Saul) and his ability to teach and connect with a variety of audiences with confidence. I appreciate that he reaches "the one" yet can teach an entire town.
He teaches with the power of the Holy Ghost, knowing this is his greatest source of strength.
This is an example I strive to emulate in my teaching.

Illustration by Dan Burr

I recently read this article that describes much of what I admire about Paul.
It is fitting for all teachers. The Apostle Paul as Master Teacher
Enjoy!

Scriptures Side By Side

Happy New Year!

Some lessons call for comparing scriptures from John in the New Testament and John in the JST (Joseph Smith Translation) or other books from the Bible.

Most of the the time when we do this comparison, we meet the following challenges or I lose half of my class for one or all of these reasons:

a) Merely finding the JST (although each of my students have a bookmark in the JST section of their Scriptures)
b)We don't use it often enough for them to be confident in locating it.
c) The switching back and forth as we compare verses, sentences, and words is confusing for some
d) The confusion caused by the switching back and forth is such a distraction that the messages and meanings are lost or, better yet, never found.

This morning, I had a brainstorm as to how to avoid the switching back and forth (the bookmarks help them find the JST but don't solve the switching back and forth) and more importantly, how to have my students gain understanding and find meaning in the messages.

This method took no advance preparation or extra supplies.

At the beginning of class, I divided my students in groups of 2.
In each group, I asked one student to turn to John in the New Testament and the other to turn to John in the JST.
Then they put their books side by side (some put theirs one above the other)

It was very effective for them to see each scripture at the same time. The students were able to compare words, meanings, and clarifications with ease. As a result of their understanding the messages, they gave meaningful input which created a discussion that demonstrated to me that a few lights were turning on in their understanding. At the end of our study, a few of my students even turned to both the New Testament and JST in their own scriptures and highlighted some points that were important to them.

Another noted benefit was have a "study buddy". If one was not sure where to look or what to read, they helped each other.

This method would  also work when the reading calls for several footnotes and cross-references. The two students could keep one book on the main scripture while they use the other book to turn the pages to the references.

***I will note that in our class, we use paper scriptures. It is the best choice for our class. Many of my students don't have their own electronics and I find it is important that we are all on the same page, literally and figuratively.
We do have  "Tech Tuesday" where we use electronic scriptures, lds. org, mormon.org, etc. so that my students who do have their own portable electronic devices understand how  and where to search for answers. Most of them have access to a computer of some sort and hopefully, "Tech-Tuesdays" will inspire them to use sites that will help them search and find answers to their Gospel and Doctrinal questions.

Seminary In My Pocket- Rivet

As we are studying the teachings of the Apostles of Jesus Christ, I presented each student with a "rivet" to remind them of this quote by Elder M Russell Ballard with the counsel to "Keep your eyes riveted" on the 12 Apostles.
We looked at several pairs of jeans and the rivets on their pockets that reinforce and make that area stronger. We discussed the purpose of a rivet in clothing.
I actually gave them the top part of a metal snap  that looks like a rivet as rivets are a little expensive to just buy and use only one piece that may or may not be saved in their "Seminary In My Pocket" pouches.

Seminary In My Pocket

Seminary In My Pocket

This is my 7th week teaching Seminary at Six AM. I LOVE it! I have 24 amazing students. 

The first lesson, I gave each student a rock to keep in their pocket as a reminder of our lesson that day. Little did I know that "Seminary In My Pocket" had been born.

I shared a story with them about an experience I had when I visited the death camps in Poland and showed them a rough, rugged rock I found while I was there that had one shiny side and could be easily over looked. I compared it to people in our lives who may appear rough and rugged, yet if we will look at them the way Christ does, we will be able to find something "shiny" about them.

To remind them to look for the shiny side in everyone, I gave each of them a shiny rock to put in their pockets. I told them that each time they reached inside their pocket and felt that rock, to remember to view people as Christ does and always look for the good (the shiny) Seven weeks later, they are still showing me their rocks (a few have asked for replacements when they can't find theirs) Read on for more ideas...

You can use rocks with so many object lessons (Build upon my rock, solid testimony, etc)

 When we discussed Temptations of Christ and our own personal temptations, I gave each of them a rubber band to wear and told them to memorize something that they could keep in their minds that would push bad thoughts out (a Scripture, the Sacrament prayer, the Young Women Theme, a Hymn, etc. are some of the ideas we came up with for memorization) When they have a bad thought or are tempted to do something wrong, I told them to snap the rubber band and recite whatever they memorized to bring their mind and spirit back to Christ. (That was 4 weeks ago and they are still wearing them)

When we learned about the widow's mite and sacrifice, I gave them a penny for their pockets

 When we learned about choosing our words carefully and using uplifting language, I gave them a button. They were challenged to know when to keep their lips "buttoned" and when to open their mouths and share uplifting words of love and encouragement.

Last week, they received plastic spiders  as we discussed honesty and not getting caught in webs of deceit and lying. I challenged them to not weave their own personal webs like spiders do. We also did a fun group activity with yarn as we were standing in a circle and the yarn represented lying and dishonesty. We passed the yarn back and forth as we discussed lies and deceit until no one could move inside the circle due to all the lying and dishonesty. It was interesting to see the kids figure out that if they crawled down low, they could avoid the webs, yet it was awkward for them so I reminded them of how awkward it becomes when you have to constantly think of ways to avoid your own messes (webs)

 25 Scripture Mastery Scriptures= 1 Quarter with a red happy face painted on the back. I told them that there are 25 scriptures set apart from the others that they are to know inside and out this Seminary year. The other scriptures are valuable and for our benefit, but the 25 Scripture Mastery scriptures are to "stand out" in their hearts and minds. I used red nail polish to paint a simple happy face on the back of each quarter to make it "stand out" from the other quarters that they may have in their pockets that are also valuable.

Parable of the Sower. To represent the seeds, I gave them a popcorn kernel. I knew it would not sprout or break apart in their pockets as they year goes on. I really wanted to give them some beautiful black soil from Belle Glade, Florida (right next to where we live) but I was not sure how that would last through one school day, although I am still trying...

I dont have one specific day of the week I give them an item for their pockets, in fact, there will most likely be weeks that I don't give them anything. The items always go with a lesson and are designed to reinforce what we learn in Seminary. It is way for my students to carry a tangible reminder of Seminary throughout the day. At first, I thought they would throw the items away, but a day does not go by without a student showing me the items from their pockets. 

I have had the experience of  sitting in Sacrament Meeting and one of my students will catch my attention to show me they are wearing their rubber band. It has become "cool" to have all these little things that most teenagers would have lost or thrown away by now.

Most of my students are the only Latter day Saint in their schools. As they leave our class each day, it is my goal to send them armed with the spirit. I know these little reminders in their pockets are an effective way to re-inforce their experiences in Seminary class.

As I add more items to their pockets, I will share.

At the end of this week, I have a small drawstring fabric bag for each student who would like to keep their items in it. I know this will work better for some of them who don't have pockets or do not want to move their items from pocket to pocket each day. 

I ordered the bags from HERE . I wanted to make them, but this was a great price and the bags are the perfect size. I am going to write each students' name on their bag with a sharpie marker.

Please share any ideas you have for "Seminary In My Pocket" in the comment section below or

email me at shaunahh at gmail dot com