Teaching With Symbols

For this week's teaching, I would like to bring a new resource to your attention (at least new to me!):

https://www.lds.org/callings/primary/leader-resources/teaching-children/symbols?lang=eng

Found on lds.org, this page talks about Teaching with Symbols. Symbols are good to use because they can hold the attention of all ages and abilities. One of my favorite suggestions on this page is using symbols to post a nursery or sharing time schedule. One of my first experiences in primary gave my an opportunity to see a schedule in action. She would review the schedule at the beginning of each day, and she was consistent with bringing the children's attention to the progress through the schedule.

Giving children routines and expectations can give them peace. This can contribute to the reverence in your Primaries and open testimony-sharing opportunities.

I encourage you to review this page and discuss with your presidency if adding symbols or a schedule would enhance your Primary experiences.

Sara Hammond

Arlington Stake Primary

Music and Nursery Specialist

Cub Scout Den Doodle

How do you encourage Cub Scouts to wear their uniforms, bring their books, to be on time or bringing their families to pack meetings? 

A den doodle could be the answer.

 

Den Doodles are used to recognize Cub Scouts for participation in activities and any other behavior which needs encouragement.

Den doodles can be used as a continual incentive for Cub Scouts. A den doodle is an emblem - a figure chosen by the den and placed on a stand or hung on a wall to show each boy's advancement and participation status.  The doodle is then given to the boy as he crosses over into Boy Scouts.

 

Make your own doodles -

Den doodles are simple to make. It is just a leather or craft string, shoelaces or other lacing attached to circles of cardboard, wood, tin, or other devices.  These "doodles" are hung from a coat hanger or wooden or PVC pipe stand.  Beads are awarded for various things and added to the string each week.  A doodle stick dates back to the Indian coup stick and totem pole.  Cub Scouts will like to make den doodles and watch their string of conquests grow. Boys falling behind take notice of their bare strings and work harder for their advancement. Den doodles should be on display each week and at each pack meeting.

 

Beads could be awarded for:

1. Being on time. 

2. Wearing their Cub Scout Shirt TUCKED IN.

3. Bringing their Book

4. Passing off something during the week at home with their parents. 

5.  For extra helping or good behavior during the meeting

6. Faith in God requirements

7.  Doing a good deed

8.  Bruises, scrapes and other injuries or lost teeth (a favorite with Cubs!)

9.  Bringing family to the Pack Meetings

  

Pack 182 has an amazing Doodle that they use for the entire Pack.  I've attached pictures.  You can google "Den Doodles" and see what others have done.

 

Thanks,
Elise Simbeck

Arlington Stake Primary

First Counselor

The Science of Happiness

 I’m taking my Girl Scouts on a 20 mile hike at the end of June. I thought it might be nice to give each girl a disposable camera and a notebook so she can take some pictures and journal or sketch along the trail. Then I wondered if she could earn a badge for this.  I checked out the requirements for several badges and discovered the Science of Happiness Badge would fit perfectly.  Here are some of the activities they will be doing:

 

    1.  Gratitude Log—the girls will write down things they are grateful for or the things that made them “stop to smell the roses” each day.   The badge pamphlet says that people who acknowledge their blessings are a happier than those who do not.

   2.Thinking Differently about happiness-- Sometimes you can’t change what happens in your day, but you can change how you react to it. The girls will try to find the good side to each situation that day. Scientists say that people who stay positive, or are “optimistic,” are happier, even if more bad things happen to them.

   3. Getting Happy through Others—I’ll encourage the girls to try to help each other along the way. The pamphlet says that a good way for you to be happy on the inside is to care about others and focus on relationships with people on the outside.  

 

It seems to me that this Girl Scout badge teaches gratitude, hope and service.  These are the same things the Church has been teaching us since the beginning!

 

    1.  Gratitude-- Pg 192 of the Family Home Evening Manual states “An increased spirit of gratitude will bring increased joy into our lives.”  

    2.  Hope-- Alma 34:41, “But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.” 

    3. Service-- President George Albert Smith said of ministering to others: “Our eternal happiness will be in proportion to the way that we devote ourselves to helping others."

 

It’s kind of fun to see how science and religion match up!  I challenge you to try one of the activities from the Girl Scout Pamphlet and see if you can increase your happiness!  

 

Thanks,
Elise Simbeck

Arlington State Primary Presidency

First Counselor

Six Thank You's

Last week, Sister McClellan gave a challenge to each of us, in her Teaching Moment, to write a letter of gratitude and read it to the person we were thanking. At a church meeting this week, the question was asked "How do our children feel about their church teachers?" So, I combined the two and made my children write a thank you note to a teacher of their choice. Here are their letters:

Dear Br. (Matthew G.) Williams,

Thank you for being my teacher. I liked the treats you brought each week. They were yummy. It was fun to goof around after class.

Thanks,

Brian, age 9

Dear Sister (Brittany) Glenn,

Thank you for being my music teacher. I really enjoyed the pizza party after we sang in Sacrament Meeting at Thanksgiving. It was easy to learn the songs because you explain them so well. You made singing time fun.

Your Friend,

Aaron, age 11

Dear Brother (Brian)and Sister (Mary) Murray,

Thank you for being my teachers and making class interesting. I loved the fun stories you told us and that you let us teach the lessons too.

Your parties are amazing!

Thank you,

Hallie, age 13

Dear Sister (Jennifer) Fairbanks,

Thank you for being my teacher. I could always feel the spirit when you taught. Your lessons were really meaningful to me and I loved coming to class each week to hear them. I can remember, as a Beehive, there was one lesson I particularly appreciated. It was about family history and temple work. You helped me understand the temple and made things much clearer. Your teaching and strong testimony made me want to do everything I can to make sure my whole family can be together forever. Thank you again for your service. You are a wonderful example of the teacher I want to become.

Thank you,

Grace, age 19

Brother (Shane) Klingonsmith and Brother (Jay) Schilaty were cool. They were the best teachers I've ever had. They were prepared each week to teach the lesson and could answer any question we had...any question we had. They were funny too. I knew they cared about me.

Paul, age 23

Sister (Phylis) Pettersen,

I still remember sitting in the shade of the tree with my beehive class at church that Sunday about 27 years ago.  The day had been too beautiful to stay inside our stuffy classroom, so you suggested we go outside for our lesson. You were so patient and gentle with us. We were not always attentive or appreciative of you.  I don't remember the lesson you taught, but I do remember the drawings you gave us each week.  The pictures were beautiful and matched the lesson perfectly.  I learned that day that you drew them.  The church did not have a copy machine.  You drew the picture 10 times so each girl could have a copy.  I still remember how you looked when you told us that.  I stared at you. I didn't understand what I saw in your face that day.  I couldn't believe that you would spend that much time each week drawing a picture for each of us that we would most likely throw away. I didn't understand why you would do that.  But, I understand now.  I saw love in your eyes that day. You loved us.  That is why you drew the pictures for us and how you could be so patient with us.   Thank you. Thank you for the drawings and for teaching me, by example, how to love like the Savior. 

Thank you with all my heart,

Elise

Before a child can learn in any class, they need to feel comfortable and care about. There needs to be something that the children can take home with them whether it is a piece of knowledge, feeling loved, the spirit or I guess in my children's case food. They don't expect a perfect lesson each week, but they do expect the teacher to be ready to teach because our children are ready to learn. I think these teachers stood out for my children, because they made my them feel special and important. It's all about love. 

Elise Simbeck

Arlington Stake Primary

First Counselor

Gratitude

This weekend I made an impromptu trip to Utah. I jumped in a car full of complete strangers and drove to a conference. I met some amazing people and had some really special moments. One of the speakers had us do an exercise where we wrote a letter to someone who had made a difference or an impact on our life. So we did and then we were instructed to go find a quiet place and call and read that letter to that person. Not one person came back with a dry eye, but we all came back with an understanding of gratitude. The happiest people are those that are full of gratitude.

Please, write a letter to someone this week and then call them and read it to them. It is a challenge! You will not regret it. I would love to hear about your moment. It will bring a lasting joy to your heart and to the heart of the person you talk with. I am thankful for all of you. I love to talk with you and see and hear the amazing impact you have with the children in your ward. You touch my heart each and every time I visit. I know our Father in Heaven sees the good that you do and loves your faithful service.

Autumn McClellan
Arlington Stake Primary President