Weekly Teaching moment: Teaching children the Doctrine

Here is a quote that I love from Sister Wixom

“The world will teach our children if we do not, and children are capable of learning all the world will teach them at a very young age. What we want them to know five years from now needs to be part of our conversation with them today. Teach them in every circumstance; let every dilemma, every consequence, every trial that they may face provide an opportunity to teach them how to hold on to gospel truths.”

—Rosemary M. Wixom, “Stay on the Path,” October 2010 general conference

I found this page on lds.org when looking for information on how to best teach children the gospel. I thought it was wonderful and gives great ideas to reach every learner and help them put the gospel into practice in their own lives.

Ideas  to Help Children Identify the Doctrine

IDEA	EXPLANATION
State It	Ask the children to state the doctrine.
Write It	Write the doctrine on the chalkboard.
Scramble It	Scramble the words of the doctrine. Ask the children to arrange the words so they make sense.

Ideas to Help Children Understand the Doctrine

IDEA	EXPLANATION
Discuss the Doctrine	Have children search scripture passages or quotations of latter-day prophets and discuss what they learn about the doctrine.
Look for Answers	Invite the children to look in the scriptures and teachings of latter-day prophets for answers to questions about the doctrine.
Make a List	Have children search the scriptures and teachings of latter-day prophets and then make a list of what they have learned about the doctrine.

Ideas to Help Children Share the Doctrine

IDEA	EXPLANATION
Music Games	Have the children pass an object around the room as they sing. Randomly stop the music. Whoever is holding the object shares an application. This will keep everyone thinking of an application they might share.
Dramatizations	Have some of the children role-play an application of the doctrine, and the rest of the children guess what they are doing.
Visual Reminders	Make a paper chain. Make road signs. Make class banners. Make salt dough figures. Draw a picture. Make bookmarks.

Thank you sisters for all you and your teachers do to love and serve the sweet children of our Stake.

Michelle Nieman

1st. Counselor 

Arlington Stake Primary

Weekly Teaching Moment: Selfless Service

I found this profound quote this week in my studies.  It helps me focus on what is most important.  “You wonderful sisters render compassionate service to others for reasons that supersede desires for personal benefits.  In this you emulate the Savior, who, though a king, did not seek position, nor was he concerned about whether others noticed Him.  He did not bother to compete with others.  His thoughts were always tuned to help others.  He taught, healed, conversed with, and listened to others.  He knew that greatness had little to do with outward signs of prosperity or position.  He taught and lived by this doctrine. ‘He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.’”  Dieter F. Utchdorf (Daughters In My Kingdom)

“The mediocre teacher tells.  The good teacher explains.  The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”  William Arthur Ward.  The Savior, our greatest teacher, inspires us with His selfless example of love and service.

Thank you! You wonderful sisters for your examples of selfless service-

Love, Tanya  Yancey

Arlington Stake Primary President

Preparing Spiritually and Teaching by the Spirit

The following video teaches us about the importance of preparing spiritually in our callings and in our families. http://www.lds.org/service/leadership/prepare-spiritually?lang=eng
I love the scripture which was used to begin the video.
“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23

It brings to mind another scriptural account which is similar.

“And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.” Luke 9:28

The first scripture is a great reminder and example to us to take time out for spiritual communion and feasting so that we can be better prepared to teach with the spirit. The second is similar, only this time Jesus takes his disciples with him. We too can bring those we teach with us to as we “go up into a mountain to pray”. We can help those whom we teach to feel the spirit so that they also say as Peter did “it is good for us to be here”. (Luke 9:33)

Consider these words from ‘Teaching, No Greater Call concerning the importance of the Spirit in our teaching.

“The spirit of God speaking to the spirit of man has power to impart truth with greater effect and understanding than the truth can be imparted by personal contact even with heavenly beings. Through the Holy Ghost the truth is woven into the very fibre and sinews of the body so that it cannot be forgotten.”
– Joseph Fielding Smith (Teaching, No Greater Call, p. 41)

“If you accomplish nothing else in your relationship with your students than to help them recognize and follow the promptings of the Spirit, you will bless their lives immeasurably and eternally.”
–Elder Richard G. Scott (Teaching, No Greater Call, p. 48)

“Parents and teachers, our efforts to help our children establish a heritage of rich spiritual memories are never wasted...They will remember what they know and what they have felt. They will remember their identity as children of Heavenly Father, who sent them here with a divine purpose.”
–Sister Susan L. Warner, former counselor in Primary general presidency (Teaching, No Greater Call, p. 6)

I know that as you prepare yourselves spiritually, you will have the ability to bring a feast to those whom you teach so that they will desire to know what you know, and to feel what you feel...and you will aid them in knowing and feeling of the spirit in their own lives. This is the essence of all good teaching.

My love to you.
-Sister Colburn

Enriching lessons with Church-Produced Resources

"I have spoken before about the importance of keeping the doctrine of the Church pure, and seeing that it is taught in all our meetings.  I worry about this.  Small aberrations in doctrinal teaching can lead to large and evil falsehoods."  Gordon B. Hinkley

There are some wonderful ways that teachers can enrich their lessons while still relying on church-produced resources.

Did you know that the church has a new resource page where they have linked relevant articles with from  The Friend with current lessons?  

Click here to be directed to a new page at www.lds.org with links to enrichment materials.

There is also a an index of coloring pages from The Friend.  You can search by subject to find coloring pages for almost any lesson.  Click here  This index is more comprehensive that what is currently at lds.org

A member of the church also created an index for the lesson manuals with links to past articles from The Friend.  The list was compiled a while ago so some of the links are broken.  Click here to go to the page.

Creating a stress management plan

Working in Primary can be challenging.  Every Ward in the Stake has children who have a difficult time in Primary due to developmental needs, emotional needs, social special needs or just plain bad days.  Having a plan for what to do when difficult behavior occurs can greatly reduce your stress.  I’ve found that anytime I can think through a potential problem in a quiet moment, I always have more success when the problem arises.  We encourage you to spend a bit of time in one of your Presidency meetings coming up with a stress management plan.  

What can you include in your plan?  

Prevention
Begin by thinking of what you can do to diminish stressful situations in your primary.  Some Wards dismiss the Primary workers while the remaining congregation sings a song.  This allows the leaders and teachers to be in the Primary room ready to receive the children with smiles and direct them to their seats.  Some Primaries hand children who have difficulty sitting still something they can manipulate (like a koosh ball) to give their busy little bodies something to do in their seats.  Many Primaries have a special signal to let the children know that they are getting too loud or busy.  With some children, you can have a plan to walk from the front of the room and stand near them while teaching in order to help them be quiet.  

If you continue to have a difficult time with an individual child, contact the parent.   The parent knows their child best and can educate you about the best way to help their child.

“If a child or youth has a pattern of disruptive behavior, seek the help of his or her parents.  Parents want to know about their children’s behavior, and they are willing to help.  If possible, include the young person in these conversations; this will show your respect for his or her maturity and agency.  Together you can make specific plans and later review your progress.”  (Teaching No Greater Call pg. 86)  

Pray for the child in your personal and as a Presidency.  Ask for inspiration in how to meet their needs and ask to be filled with charity towards the child.

What kinds of things can you plan to implement in your Primary to prevent stressful situations?

Dealing with stress when it arrives
Even with planning, you are still going to have days where children misbehave and you become frustrated.  Have a plan for how you can lessen your own stress so you can respond to children with love and patience.  The most difficult thing is to recognize when you are getting to the end of your rope.  Being self aware can help you realize that you need to implement your stress management plan.  

Remember the words of Brigham Young, “Never chasten beyond the balm you have within you to bind up”.  

What kinds of things might you include in your plan?

1.  As you notice that a particular child’s (or entire Primary’s) behavior is really bothering you, close your eyes and slowly count to ten.  Take a deep breath.  Say a quick prayer that the Spirit will guide you and strengthen you.
2.  If the behavior continues to cause you stress, ask another member of the Presidency or a teacher to address the situation.
3.  Give yourself permission to take a time out.  Communicate with the other members of the Presidency and take the time to leave the situation, get a drink of water, walk outside, do whatever you need to de-escalate the stress in yourself.
4.  If the child continues to misbehave, it may be necessary to bring the child to his/her parent or to invite the parent to come attend Primary with their child.  

By creating a plan for dealing with stressful situations in Primary, you will be able to follow the council in D&C 121:43   “Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;”

“In applying this counsel, it is helpful to understand the words betimes and sharpness.  Betimes means promptly or in good time.  In this passage, sharpness refers to the need to give clear, well-defined instructions.  

You should be gentle and meek when giving correction.  Note that reproving should be done only “when moved upon by the Holy Ghost” and should be followed by an increase of love.”  (Teaching No Greater Call, pg. 86)

We, the Stake Primary Presidency, love you and pray for you.  We are inspired by the ways you reach out to the children in your Ward and seek to draw them to Christ.  Thank you for your service.

Stephanie Dickson
secretary

What to of when you have extra time

Have you ever found yourself at the end of a lesson with 15 minutes left and nothing to do? 

If you do not have a very talkative bunch this could happen.  

1. Try choosing 2 or 3 enrichment activities in the manual at the end of each lesson to help extend your lesson. You could add them where you find appropriate. I like to add them in three different parts so the children have some listening and then some activity at 3 different times in the lesson for variety. Attention spans are pretty tiny, so this seems to break the lesson up into manageable chunks. The lesson manuals are tailor made for each age level of children. These manuals were put together with much thought and prayer and are perfect for teaching young children.  

2. If you still need something try going to lds.org and clicking on "children" in the menu. This will take you to the primary page. Here you will find a link for "Lesson Helps" and it will provide you with extra stories, activities, and coloring pages directly from the Friend that will go with your lesson. We have provided on our stake primary blog a section on the right in red called "Useful Links". These links will take you directly to the lds.org primary page, the 2012 lesson manuals, the leadership training library, and an index for coloring pages. Check it out!! 

3. Pray about each lesson you are to give. Pray that you will have the spirit with you when you give your lesson and pray that the children will be able to feel the spirit when you teach, so they know that what they hear is good and true. 

I know Heavenly Father will give you the inspiration you need to best teach the children in your personal class. I know He will because He has helped me many times. You just have to ask. I can teach a lesson without His help, but a lesson with His help is 100 times more effective.  

 Sister McClellan 

 FYI...We are adding a section to our blog called "Useful ideas from around the Stake". We would like to add great ideas we see in your primaries to this section. We would get permission first and credit you for the idea on the blog. We have seen some creative ideas as we visit that might be able to help or inspire another primary. If you have something you would like to see or need help with please contact one of us in the stake primary presidency.

Improving teaching through setting clear expectations

In order to be effective teachers we have to give our students clear expectations. The best teachers I have observed are very prepared and use several techniques to invite their students to participate and learn. These techniques can be used with children of all ages in sharing time, singing time, and in the classroom.

1. Before beginning a lesson state the objective. Students need to know what they will be learning about. This might go something like this... "I am excited to be here today. We are going to learn about how prophets teach us to choose the right."

2. Next, give students clear expectations for behavior. Children will meet our ideals if they know how to meet our expectations. This might go something like this...

"I have a lot of fun things planned for our lesson. To start we are going to play a game, but in order for us to have a lot of fun you guys are going to have to help me out. I am going to call on the boys and girls that are listening and sitting quietly. When I think you are getting too loud, or you aren't listening, I am going to say, "If you can hear me touch your elbow. If you can hear me touch your knee. If you can hear me touch your nose." Practice it once before starting the lesson. (This works like a charm in Junior Primary. Try it!! You may have another technique that works, the point is to get them listening before moving on. Especially when you are about to testify of a gospel principle.)

With older children you may hold up the scout sign or some other reminder, but they will quiet down when you stand there long enough. If students are getting out of their seats tell them you will call on them as soon as they are sitting down and then be sure to call on them.

If you want students to raise their hands to be called on to answer questions then say, "I will only call on students with their hands raised." Say, "Please do not blurt out answers it ruins the lesson for everyone."

You could also try having students tell someone sitting next to them what they think the answer is and then count to three and call on someone with a raised hand to get the answer out. Say, "Quietly tell someone next to you who the living prophet is today and when you are finished raise your hand, if you think you know his name." This gives everyone in the group a chance to participate. You could also say, "Give me a thumbs up if you think President Monson is our prophet."

3. Last, at a point in each lesson testify of some gospel point. Testimony brings the spirit every time.

I know if you try to incorporate some of these things they will work for you. You will be blessed with the spirit in your primary and that the children will meet your behavior expectations. You will get better at these techniques the more you practice them. You are all doing amazing things in primary. We appreciate the heart and soul you put into each primary child. They are blessed to have such wonderful people on their side. These are Heavenly Fathers children and he loves you for your efforts.

Sister McClellan
Second Counselor
Arlington Stake Primary

Asking the proper "who," "what," "when,"" where," and "how"

Weekly Teaching Moment        2/24/2012

Asking the proper "who," "what," "when,"" where," and "how" Questions

I loved President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's wise counsel in the Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting and thought we could apply these questions to our callings.

1. Who are we reaching out to? Who needs us?

2. What can I do to help these children in primary recognize the spirit and to know that their Heavenly Father loves them?

3. Where can I find answers to help our Primary

4. How can we help the children to gain a testimony and to gain the desire to always serve our Heavenly Father?

President Uchtdorf said, "All of our discussions concerning young and old, from welfare needs to missionary work, from gospel teaching to strengthening families, should be framed in this context."

"As you have noticed, the new handbooks do not specify in great detail every action you are to take in your calling. These handbooks were provided for the right amount of structure without regimenting every detail. It might be wise to look at the handbooks and even the scriptures not as checklists or detailed scripts but rather as opportunities to prepare our minds and hearts to receive divine inspiration for our responsibilities.

Unfortunately, we sometimes don’t seek revelation or answers from the scriptures or the handbooks because we think we know the answers already.

Brothers and sisters, as good as our previous experience may be, if we stop asking questions, stop thinking, stop pondering, we can thwart the revelations of the Spirit. Remember, it was the questions young Joseph asked that opened the door for the restoration of all things. We can block the growth and knowledge our Heavenly Father intends for us. How often has the Holy Spirit tried to tell us something we needed to know but couldn’t get past the massive iron gate of what we thought we already knew?"

Sisters, we are so blessed to have Priesthood who lead us. I share my testimony with you that I know that President Monson is Heavenly Father's mouthpiece, and that our Priesthood leaders are called of God. I also know that when we turn to our Father in Heaven for guidance and revelation He will most certainly give us answers and a direction. I know that He loves each and every one of you for your commitment to your callings, and the love you share with your primary children.

We as a Stake Primary Presidency love and appreciate each one of you so much.

 

Michelle Nieman

1st Counselor in Stake Primary Presidency

Keeping learners actively engaged

When instructing or teaching, it is good for a teacher to ask themself, “What do I want the learner to do while I am teaching?  Are they standing, talking, holding pictures, asking questions, or reading quotes?”  How are you encouraging the children to be actively engaged in the learning process?  If the children are only sitting and listening, then it won’t be long before they are distracted and irreverent.

In the D and C 88:77-78, the Lord said, “I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.  Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you.”  I know the Lord will be with you when you prepare diligently to teach His precious children.  You are SO appreciated!

Tanya Yancey

Arlington Stake Primary President

The power of speaking softly

Hello Primary Presidents,

We are starting a new Weekly Teaching Moments for Primary.  Each Saturday someone from the Stake Primary Presidency will send you a teaching tip or idea.  We are excited about sharing this with you and we hope that it will fun and helpful! 

The Weekly Teaching Moment for this week is: 

The more quietly you speak when you are teaching, the more carefully the children will have listen to be able to hear you.  Do not speak over them.  Wait until they are quiet before beginning.

In first Nephi 2:14

It says that Lehi spoke in the wilderness with his children “with power, being filled with the spirit…”  

Let us strive to be like Lehi tomorrow as we Teach the children.

Sincerely,

Arlington Stake Primary Presidency