Expect To Lose

                   Fourteen Youth and Seven Adults

   This morning my granddaughter and I attended a youth scripture chase activity. It happens once at the end of the school year of high schoolers going to an early morning religion class. During that time they learn, understand , and apply 25 scriptures which highlight gospel teaching. This year was an Old Testament year. 

   I encouraged seven friends, some who have children in seminary, to give the teenagers some extra enthusiastic fun by competing against them. We had four months to learn the scriptures, practice finding them in our bibles, and understand their true meaning.

   It was hard. I expected to be royally beaten. But, my granddaughter told me she didn't think very many youth were prepared. I started feeling over confident. We chased with different categories. Key words, associating objects with a scriptures, matching principles, arranging words into correct order, all different ways of chasing into the book and finding the right reference on the written page. We started off slow and the kids jumped ahead. My team scrambled to turn thin, onion skin pages to the right place. Finally we scored as we sorted Jeremiah 1:3 into correct order. Nevertheless, the daily practice of study gave our opponents the edge. They knew their verses better and as expected, they won. 
  This is such a great activity. It is a joy to see youth fully engaged in the word of God and cooperating to bring everyone to the same place.

                                    Everyone Wins

I write on Fridays with a large group who inspire me. Only five minutes and without much thought to perfection. I write, prompted by one word that sends my thoughts to the keyboard and hopefully make sense.

Art Journal or Creative Journal

     Art Journaling is very popular. When I post on Instagram I wonder if I should use #artjournal or #creativejournal?  What is the difference? I listened to a podcast by five artists. They tried to explain their views and find consensus.  Creative journaling is:

    Art journals are like small paintings. They are made to be shared and shown as art. I have been making art as I read the Book of Mormon. My journal is full of sketches to remind me of important principles  and extraordinary scripture verses.
 

    I like to use the word "art journal". But my process is certainly a learning and healing process. Perhaps differentiating is not vital. Whatever it is called it brings me joy.

Pop Up Foldables

   One of the challenges of teaching is to vary activities so that all learning styles have an opportunity to flourish. One of my seminary students last year loved when I occasionally added arts and crafts. She listened and comprehended much better when she had work for her hands. Here is a journal of sorts with pop-up pages.

                                             A small slit in the paper creates a step for glueing on an image.

   Two slits create a added dimension. A lesson about Brigham Young is a perfect example of using two slits to create a comparison pop up.

                                            The file folder closes easily even when you add four to five pages.

                                               To start, fold a paper horizontally, we call it hamburger style.

                                                    Cut the slit, or slits, on the folded edge.

                           Slide your finger through the holes and bend the paper back to create steps.

   Glue the outside top edge to a file folder or piece of construction paper. Do not put glue along the folded edge. As you add pages glue the top page, outside edges, to the back of the preceding page. Finding graphics is easy when you google Book of Mormon coloring pages or Church History coloring pages. Many of the hits lead you to The Friend but the google search is easier than navigating The Friend site. Some students will want to create their own graphics.

                                                                          Happy Teaching!!!
                            Doing a search for Book of Mormon coloring pages will connect you to The Friend.

Class Engagement

   You may have a child in your class who just won't engage. I can take talking, silliness, and not paying attention but I really worry about non-engagement. Variety in activities is the strongest attraction to a non-participant. Some children need to do things with their hands. They are often very creative and crave some action with materials. Cutting, pasting, writing and drawing, if these have meaning, can pull a reluctant learner into the spotlight. With our class journals I provide a variety of hands-on supplies. This week we have folds that open when we find the missing words in our scriptures.

     Inside the folded cardboard are vocabulary words to learn. After some discussion the definition is written under the answer.

     Each journal has a personality of it's creator. My boys are just as eager to work with their books as the girls.

    I don't worry about handwriting or perfection; I just expect involvement in the activity.

         Next week we are using different folds to reveal the important question of the week.

Directed Listening

  Although we have many activities, my Primary class needs some help during the few moments we spend just listening. I have church history stories to tell and I like to included lots of details. If I tell the stories from memory I often forget important elements. One technique I use is to record the stories on my I-Phone memo feature, in 1-2 minutes segments.

 And, I ask my students to listen for a specific word or phrase. This directed listening works very well for any age and in any teaching situation. We like glueing, so I give them their word, or phrase on a type written slip of paper.

When they hear it, they may glue it on a journal page. These phrases become story prompts as we review the journal the next week. Two goals met, from this one activity; better listening and better remembering from week to week.

Primary 5- Reviewing

    I am trying to review a little bit every week in Primary 5 (emerging readers, ages 7-9) class. The journals are essential for that reason. I posted about using journals in Primary, here. Our journals contain story prompts, scripture fill-ins, and visual reminders of lessons. I like to play Scripture Man every now and again to go through out journals and extract information.

    This game requires knowledge but luck is also a factor in winning. Here are the rules.

1. Make a list of 10 questions which have one word answers. I play this as review but also to dig into a new block of scripture. 
2. Assign each question a grid coordinate, i.e.; A-7, B-10, F-12
3. Pass out the Scripture Man handout and have them fill out the grid with the little pictures. The coveted point is scripture man which they can only place once, worth 50 points. The dreaded points are the three bombs which would wipe out all the previous points they earn.
4. I ask the question and they write down their answer. When all have answered I tell them that if they answered correctly they could have all the points on the coordinates which were assigned to that question. For example; you may have all the points assigned to the robot if you put it there on B-4.
5. Then we go on to question number 2, and ect.
6. After question 10 everyone adds up their points and the Scripture Man is rewarded, or just applauded.

      I am not afraid of carrying over this game from one week to the next if time is a factor. The benefit of carrying the game over from the last week is that review can start the lesson. So far, this game is a hit with teenagers and elementary aged children.
  The larger scripture man template is here.
The original scripture man template is here.

And, I thank-you for reading some of my mystery novel, Rubato. Judith, a piano teacher extraordinaire,  makes a decision which, upon reflection, changes the lives of others, not for the better.

Click here for 19 free chapters

Book of Mormon Summer- Illustrating Alma

When I am drawing pictures of these Book of Mormon scenes I am often disappointed by my lack of skill but never with the scriptural message I want to portray. I knew I wanted to show the part where the queen is awakened by Abish, the young Lamanite serving girl who believed her father's vision. What became really important to me as I read was her cry to Jesus. As the queen became conscious she revealed her new knowledge of Jesus Christ

   I love the analogy of burying the physical weapons of war with the need we have to bury our spiritual weapons. The wars we wage amongst each other may not take our life but it does take the life out of our relationships.

  In Alma 29 the words, "Oh that I were an angel!" came to mean something more as I pondered the angel who was part of Alma's life. That angel did come with the intent of testifying to Alma and bringing him to repentance. He came back at least once again when discouraged Alma left Ammonihah. Then he came to buoy up his spirit and minister to him. That Alma would like to perform these services to others is no surprise.

                                If the subject of angels interests you, may I recommend this book.

    Donald Parry who has spoken about angels at BYU Education Week, has painstakingly researched what we can learn from the scriptures and from statements of modern prophets about angels and their missions. Chapters in this book focus on such topics as what angels are, what powers and abilities they are given, how they communicate with mortals (including their interaction with little children), what missions and roles they are assigned, how they restore priesthood and keys, how they reveal truth and teach the doctrines of the gospel, and what their roles will be in the Second Coming and during the Judgment. 
    If you would like to download my illustrations in a 4X6 format please look at the bottom of this page.
  I have more to say about this block of scripture here and here.

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And, I thank-you for reading some of my mystery novel, Rubato. Judith, a piano teacher extraordinaire,  makes a decision which, upon reflection, changes the lives of others, not for the better.

Click here for 19 free chapters

Story Starters

   When it comes to teaching children, the truth is they need continuity and review. Some will say that we've heard these stories a million times but they are not carried to the heart unless the heart is open. When we are bored by scripture stories it is likely that they are have not reached our heart.
   My summer project of illustrating my favorite stories in the Book of Mormon is not finished  but I have made some story starter cards to use in my teaching. I like to share, so if they seem helpful here are PDF's in a 8X5 format. I feel a little like Moroni who is unsure of his writing ability. My drawing is amateurish but it is, what it is.

No. One 1 Nephi
No. Two 1 Nephi
No. Three 1 Nephi
No. Four 1 Nephi
No. Five 2 Nephi
No. Six 2 Nephi
No. Seven Jacob and Enos
No. Eight Omni
No. Nine Mosiah
No. Ten More Mosiah
No  Eleven Mosiah and Alma
No. Twelve Alma
No. Thirteen More Alma
No. Fourteen Alma and Sons


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Book of Mormon Summer- More 2 Nephi and Jacob

     The words of Isaiah quoted by Nephi are amazing prophecies for our day.
2 Nephi 27:11 "And the day cometh that the words of the book which were sealed shall be read upon the house tops; and they shall be read by the power of Christ; and all things shall be revealed unto the children of men which ever have been among the children of men, and which ever will be even unto the end of the earth."

      

I am curious about the number of times General Conference speakers use portions of scriptures without quoting them verbatim. These then are listed as footnotes. For example, Bro. Uchtdorf makes the statement, in his preisthood session address, " ..if you will rise up and join the chorus and allow the power of God to work through you, you will see "the windows of heaven open and will pour out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it". This is a reference to Malachi 3:10. We often think of that scripture as pertaining to tithing but really Malachi is warning the Jews who have stopped observing the laws of Jehovah and he is encouraging them to go back to observing the ordinances of the Law of Moses. The blessings of heaven are promised by the Lord through Malachi for all those who "walk in the way of the Lord". President Uchtdorf uses the language of the scriptures to draw us in because we recognize the phrase. Or is it something more subtle? Is the language of scripture the word of salvation? Nephi tells his people. after seeing their puzzled faces, 

    2 Nephi 31:13 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism--yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel. "

   Is the tongue of angels a language? Does it consist of the words of salvation? Can we become conversant in this language as well?  

   

   If reading the scriptures tutors us to understand the tongue of angels then there is no language as beautiful as the allegory of The Vineyard.

Jacob5:41 "And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant: What could I have done more for my vineyard?"

   When I read this chapter in Jacob I know, deep within, the long-suffering patience and love of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
  Here are some more of my thoughts on this block of scripture.
 Here are some more 8X5 versions of my illustrations. 

Book of Mormon Summer

I just can't let those morning hours get swallowed up by the mundane. I am having a Book of Mormon Summer. 

   As My Early Morning Guests illustrated the Book of Revelations I saw how powerful doodling can be and I can't stop the desire to sketch as I read. My first realization was how smoothly we can go from the New Testament into the Book of Mormon. We leave with the vision of John and his consumption of a book given to him in heaven and we open with the vision of Lehi. An angel bids him to read a book. The message of the book is clear; a messiah will come and redeem the world.

   Amidst the visions of Lehi and Nephi we have the plot of leaving for the wilderness, Laman and Lemuel's dissatisfactions, and obtaining the precious plates. What action and adventure!

The vision of Nephi is so close to the vision of John and I marvel how Nephi, 600 years earlier, can lead us right along the pathway set up by John the Beloved and even mention him as a future writer who will tell the same story.
    1 Nephi 14:19 "And I looked and beheld a man, and he was dressed in a white robe. And the angel said unto me: Behold one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Behold, he shall see and write the remainder of these things; yea, and also many things which have been. And he shall also write concerning the end of the world. Wherefore, the things which he shall write are just and true; and behold they are written in the book which thou beheld proceeding out of the mouth of the Jew; and at the time they proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, or, at the time the book proceeded out of the mouth of the Jew, the things which were written were plain and pure, and most precious and easy to the understanding of all men."

    I can't help picking up the recurring number 2. The duality theme is a thread winding through the whole Book of Mormon. I, jokingly, want to know if there isn't a third way, my way?

    Here are some more of my thoughts on this scripture block.
    Here are 8X5 versions of my illustrations to copy.

To be Bar Mitzvah- Son of the Commandment

I was honored to attend the Bar Mitzvah of my piano student, Sasha, this weekend. It inspired me and brought added commitment to supporting youth around me to step up and act for themselves to find deeper meaning in their lives. As an added plus I was asked to read at the ceremony. What lovely words they chose for his piano teacher.

Music: God's Universal Language

If we can feel that

It is not our voice,

Not our fingers,

But some reality deep inside our heart

Which is expressing itself,

Then we will know that it is

The soul's music.

The outer music

Comes from the outer instrument.

The inner music

Comes from the heart.

 The name of this inner music

Is oneness.

      I saw the joy this family felt as they celebrated their son reaching the age of accountability. He was deemed accountable to bring the words of Torah to the world and become a loving, compassionate person. In my spiritual language he was brought under covenant to God to be his child and God promised that he would be His son.

What I've Learned From Teaching Seminary

                                  There Are Only Two Ways: To Act Or Be Acted Upon

What I Learned From Teaching Seminary-

   About Teenagers-

 1. They can be fully engaged one day and have no recollection of your lesson the next day.

 2. They feel incredibly vulnerable.

 3. They want to discuss on a deep level.

 4. They need more connection to their Savior, Jesus Christ.

 5. They need motivation to read the scriptures on their own.

 6. Those who come from homes where spiritual matters are openly discussed have a stronger foundation.

 

   About Teaching-

1. When you are prepared as a teacher you have less to beat yourself up about when things fall apart.

2. Praying is essential.

3. The longer you teach the more there is in your vessel for The Spirit to work with.

4. Plan readiness activities in advance and have them at hand.

5. Don't be afraid to wait when you ask a question.

6. Use journals and make them important by writing in them often during the week, glue-in quotes and pictures, give open journal quizzes to insure they record information correctly, and at the end of the year pass them around to record last testimonies and thoughts from their peers.

7. You can be obsessed with teaching during the year and completely forget how to teach seminary during the summer.

8. Keep yourself focused by reading the whole Book of Mormon every summer.

    About the Holy Ghost

1. He can high- jack your lesson and it is absolutely divine.

2. Sometimes he assists your teaching even when you don't deserve it because your students do.

3. He can connect pieces together when your lesson is dis-jointed.

4. He can teach your students a different lesson that you thought you did.

5. He can flood you with joy and make you feel whole.

Back To Work- The Gnome Saga

True to our word the gnomes went home this morning. I overheard chatter amongst them about being at Thriftway to get Jo Jo's, kite flying at Pt. Robinson, and hanging at the Farmer's Market. They seemed to really enjoy their holiday. Upon returning them to their job site we found a surprise waiting for us. 

     Our kindly German neighbor rewarded us for their safe return. It was hilarious that we nabbed some leprechauns along with the gnomes. We missed those pointy ears.

    One of the ducks, the seriously grouchy one, decided to stay on and become a working duck. Who woulda thunk?

        The other two ducks are back home with a lovely German flag hovering over them, made by our kindly German neighbor.
           Alles Gut!

A Gnoming We Will Go

For many years I invited My Early Morning Guests to go on a field trip with me. I wanted to visit other seminaries on the main land. "It's too early." "We won't get back for school." Excuses, excuses; they would not budge. However, yesterday, on the last day of May, we set out for a silent walk.

    Only the animals heard us coming. We were on a mission to give some overworked garden gnomes a three day weekend. My beloved German neighbor has such a lovely garden but really, she does expect a lot of from her work force.

                    In the spirit of the French, we wanted a respite for her small bearded characters. The garden was freshly kissed with dew. We scoped out the places we would find the gnomes.

      Knowing my neighbor would suspect the identity of the liberationists we offered a peace token, the useful and dandy, garden ducks.

                     Just for the weekend they could offer some slug control and friendly chatter.

     You just can't imagine the joy we saw on the gnome faces when we gathered them all and made a bee line for home.

     A weekend of leisure to read a good book and have a smoke, hmm…we might have to work on that bad habit.

                           I could not help but marvel how perfect they looked in their natural habitat.

    I could tell that there would be hiking and exploring for the more physical in the group. And there was Herbert, a book tucked under his arm in case the forest got boring.

       Little Friedrich was going to have a problem. He isn't one to relax. That wheelbarrow was still going to be busy, I'm sure.

 
   On Monday we will take them back and restore order to the garden, but just now, I delight in the glee of what is in the forest, free at last.