During the last week of Seminary, I used all the items I gave them for a review of the year. Surprisingly, many still have all of their items in the pouch "pocket" I gave them. More importantly, many of them remembered exactly what each item represented.
This is proof to me that sending a "piece of the lesson" out the door with my students helped to reinforce the message.
As a teacher, I know that involving more than one of the senses and a variety of teaching methods/tools is the most effective approach. I have written this before, yet it is worth repeating: It is so important to not use TOO MANY tools in one lesson, yet you must use a variety or methods and tools with each and every lesson-especially early in the morning.
Seminary In My Pocket evolved "by accident" but ended up as a very effective teaching tool. Many times it was an quick idea that popped into my head the night before class (I am hoping the late night inspiration shifts more to day time next year)
Above is a photo of the organza bags I ordered from AMAZON. Students chose their own color and wrote their names on them with sharpies. They carried these in their scripture totes or backpacks.
Below is a list of the objects I used. Some need no explanation. Some can be used so many ways (such as rocks) Search my blog for details of many of the items. I did not record every item as I went along which is why I am making this list.
As a teacher, you can use this as a springboard and create what will work best for you and your students.
After all, it is all about the students.
- Rocks (Pebbles for their pockets to remind them about the large rocks in casting stones, or a solid foundation, A name for Christ, etc)
- Penny (Widow's mite, worth of souls)
- Quarter with a happy face (worth of souls, atonement was for you-you are worth it)
- Mustard Seed
- Rivet (Keep eyes riveted on Prophets and Apostles)
- Small plastic Army character (Armor of God)
- Rubber Band (We wore these to remind us to think pure thoughts)
- Small wooden heart (Love one another, Christ's love)
- Button (Use kind words-button your lips)
- Plastic spider ring (Dont get caught in Satan's web)
- Seeds (growing our testimonies)
- Small jingle bell (Used quote by Elaine Cannon on be a bellringer-example and light to the world- could als use with feed my sheep, lambs, etc.)
- Small Birthday Candle (Ye are the light of the world)
- Gold Coin (Parable of the lost coin)
- Water Bottle Cap (from plastic water bottle-The Living Water)
- Faux craft gem (Your infinite worth)
- Eraser with a happy face (The Atonement will erase our sins which bring us joy)
- A Walnut in the shell (this was from a lesson on prioritizing and goal setting)
- Mini pumpkins (the harvest and gratitude)
- Wheat Berries (The Bread of Life-we ground the wheat and made bread and homemade butter)
- Small pieces of palm leaves from our Palm Sunday experience. Some of them made book marks with the palm leaves and still had them on the last day.
- Small sample tube of toothpaste (I did not give this out but wish I had thought ahead to have one for each student when we used toothpaste to teach the power of words-details are posted on this blog)
I know there are a few more but this is what I have written down and what my post-Seminary year brain can recall. Most of the items are every day items or things I have at home in my craft supplies. The idea is to not spend $ and be creative with what you already have.
Another note: I did not use food for Seminary in My Pocket items as I wanted them to be items that would last throughout the school year and beyond. I used food plenty of times in object lessons, but not for Seminary in My Pocket.
If you have ideas for Seminary in My Pocket items, please leave a comment.
Let's share!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy class seems to like this a lot--when we did D&C 4 we went over "embarking" in service of God (decorated like a cruise with sound effects and handed out fake cruise tickets with section printed on them--had them fill in the destination). Played ELder Holland's quote about staying in the boat ("the good ship zion") and then handed out tiny origami boats.
ReplyDeleteFor D&C 6 we talked about not choking in fear after revelation but keeping eyes on Savior and we did this drawing activity and I handed out tiny pencils.
For D&C 11 we studied how Hyrum was prepared as a missionary and used illustration of how a sword is forged (specifically a samurai because it's so cool). Tied it back to verse 1 where it talks about the word being sharp as a two-edged sword and I handed out tiny toothpick swords (plastic kind).
For lesson on building blocks of Church I will use tiny Legos and for our lesson about miracles I'll be starting with a magic card trick then talk about real miracles, not illusions and I have a tiny playing card deck and will give out a card to each student.
Enduring to the end will work well with tiny bouncy balls, we talked about agency and being something that acts and not is acted upon--not being like rocks that are only good to be acted upon and used pebbles.
My sophomores seem to like it though I don't know that previous classes would have gone for it as much. Younger ones I think like it better.
Oh, and this week we're going over D&C 12 and in verse 6 it talks about heavens shaking for our good. It goes perfectly with Pres Uchtdorf's conf address today that talks about blessings from heaven raining down and how we can't block with umbrellas (sin or disobedience to the commandments). Going to give out tiny toothpick umbrellas and have them keep their umbrellas closed. I think I'll show a clip from his address too because it has great visuals already in it.
ReplyDelete