More Seminary Readiness Activities

   I believe in having readiness activities everyday. Here are some more I'm using in my class. Adapt them to your lesson or use them as is.
  
 1.Hidden Word Game-  Can you find the hidden word in this sentence?
           Rubarb apt. is my favorite location.

   2.Scanning- Assign to each student upon entering class a section, paragraph, page etc. for reading or looking at material quickly to gain an overview of the content. Can note, share with a partner, or discuss with class

   3. Surveys- Hand out a mini-survey at the beginning of a unit, topic, etc. that asks for opinions and knowledge concerning the subject material. Topic: Temptations of Christ.
       
                                                            Mini Survey

           1. Which would entice you away from reading your scriptures at lunch?
                   a. The Candy Machine
                   b. The People Watching You
                   c. The Chance To Talk To Friends
                         100% picked C

           2. What would make you turn off an inappropriate movie?
                    a. Your Mother Bribing You With A Treat     
                    b. If The Girl Next To You Asks You To
                    c.  Knowing That Others Around You Feel They Should, As Well
                            100% picked C

            3. What Would Stop You From Fasting?
                   a. Hunger
                   b. Your Father's Hounding You
                   c. Being Told You Have To By Your Seminary Teacher
                          40% picked B and 60% picked A 

              4. Why Would You Choose To Miss Seminary?
                   a. You Need Sleep
                   b. Your Friends At School Think It's Lame
                   c. You Want An A In Algebra
                          40% picked C and 60% picked A

   4. Word Splash- Prepare a collection of key terms from a written passage which the students are about to read and give as they enter the class. The terms selected represent important ideas that the teacher wants students to attend to when they actually do the reading later, but initially the students' task is to make predictive statements about how each of the terms relates to the title of the reading. Display selected terms randomly and at angles on a visual (overhead or chart). Students brainstorm and generate complete statements (not just words or phrases) which predict the relationship between each term and the topic. Once students have generated statements for each term they turn to the printed material, read to check the accuracy of their predictive statements and revise where needed. "Splash" refers to the random arrangement of the key terms around the topic at the start of the activity.

    We are using journaling on a regular basis. I try to teach how to journal by giving note tips once a week. On that day we fill out a page together, write in scripture references, and take time to add thoughts and feelings. I use the journal notes as quiz questions every two weeks to show the value of taking good notes in seminary.