Adapting a Lesson

Adapting a lesson for Junior or Senior Primary

Junior Primary and Senior Primary are two very different groups and therefore should be taught in a different manner. You may have a lesson that has appropriate content for both groups, but a lot of times you will have to adapt it for the age group you are teaching in order to keep their attention.  

Most Junior primary children cannot read and therefore will need visual things such as pictures or objects to look at and manipulate. Use language that is simple and examples that they can relate to. Remember this age group has a tiny attention span and when they get inattentive you may need to stop for a second and have a movement break. 

Senior primary children have a bigger attention span but, it is still small. They also need to move, visualize and manipulate objects. Use good questions, scripture stories, role playing, and games. With these children you can use higher vocabulary and can allow them to try and define hard words. Allow them time to think over a question and answer it (count to 3 in your head before moving on). These children can do more and need less help from the teacher.  

 When creating your lesson for more than one group try... 

-Making two sets of questions: simple questions for younger children and more difficult questions for older children.  

-Put quotes or scriptures on the back of pictures and when you use them with the younger children they will hold the pictures while you explain the quotes or scriptures. With the older children you can allow them to read the quotes out loud.  

-When using the chalkboard put pictures low and reachable for the younger children. Things at eye level are paid attention to more attentively. Make sure objects and pictures are big enough for all to reasonably see.

I know if you try to meet the needs of these two different groups you will have more success in teaching and will feel more satisfied with your efforts. Your ultimate goal is to help children gain a testimony and live the gospel. I am confident that with the Holy Ghost guiding you, you will reach the children in your primary and they will learn to not only live the gospel, but to love the gospel.  

Sister McClellan

The Importance of Teachers During Sharing Time

This is a throw back from 2013 but still applies.  Email it to your teachers for a reminder of their responsibilities or make a handout.  You can tell them it comes from the Stake Primary.

Importance of a Teachers Role During Sharing Time

11.2.5 in Handbook 2 it states, "Primary teachers and nursery leaders remain with the children during the entire Primary time on Sunday, including sharing time and breaks. During sharing time they sit with their assigned classes, sing songs with the children, and help the children participate reverently." 

A teachers role is important even in sharing time and music. As children file in from sacrament meeting they look first for their teachers loving face as they come into primary. You are their safe person. Try to be there before they show up. This is a time for you to greet children and ask how their week has gone. It is the time for you to get them ready to be reverent. A gentle reminder is always welcome. 

During sharing time and music help children to participate. It is your role to maintain reverence in your row so, that all the children in primary can feel the spirit and the primary presidency can teach. If you need to sit between two children, tap them on the shoulder and give them a quiet sign, or move children to a new seat, do it! We want children to love primary, but these steps are necessary at times to maintain reverence. Children need boundaries and each teacher sets the level of reverence for their class. 

You are also an example in primary. If the children see you singing and participating in the activities shared that day they will know what is expected. Encourage and motivate the children to participate. Tell them to get up when there is a movement song. Ask them to sing and do. You and the children will get more out of primary if your minds are engaged in the activities and the words that are spoken. 

It takes a lot of energy and effort to be a primary teacher, but the love you receive and the joy you can find from this calling is very great. I see you as Jesus, teaching the little children one by one. You are important. A quote in Teaching No Greater Call by David O. McKay says, "No greater responsibility can rest upon any man or woman, than to be a teacher of God's children." Your influence can last for the eternities. This is His work and you are his ever faithful servants. He is with you and will inspire you to love and care for each child in your class. The children love you. Thanks for all the time and effort you put in to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

PS.  You would not forget to get your own children a babysitter if you were going away for the weekend.  Please be sure and get your students a sub when you go out of town.  It is your calling and your responsibility to have someone fill in for you.  If you have exhausted your resources... parents, ward members you know that do not have a calling during primary hours, primary sub list, then call your primary presidency for help.  Plus it is always nice to let the presidency know who your sub will be and which Sunday you will be gone.  

Autumn McClellan 

Arlington Stake Primary President

Show them that We Love Them

Isn't that the truth? Isn't that what all of us want, to know that we are loved and cared for? As leaders in primary this should be one of our top priorities...letting the children we are teaching and working with know that they are loved, that we care about them and are interested in them and what they are experiencing.

How do we show these sweet little ones that we love them?  Take the time to get to know them.  See them for who they are and what they can become.  Talk to them, ask questions and listen to their answers.  Sometimes we need to forget the "planned lesson" and answer their questions or focus on a specific point of the gospel for that day.  As we listen to the Spirit we will know how to help each child gain and strengthen their testimony of gospel truths.

Primary teachers have been given the sacred responsibility to teach and love the children in their class.  They are also there to maintain order, encourage and foster teamwork.  Please let your teachers know that they are needed and wanted in primary!  The kids are watching and if they see their teachers get excited about the gospel they will too.  When the kids truly know that their teacher(s) are happy to be there they will act better and be more enthusiastic.  Let your teachers know that sharing and singing time is just as important as  classroom time.  They need to be sitting with their class, reinforcing the importance of reverence and how living the gospel helps keep us safe and teaches us how to be happy. 

Thank you so much for all of your hard work and efforts!!!!  What you are doing is making a huge difference to so many children and families.  Every week in primary there are countless opportunities to feel the spirit and love that Heavenly Father and our dear Savior have for us.  I hope that we all remember what a blessing it is to work with these sweet little ones with big spirits who can teach us so much. 

Thank you, you're all doing great!

Lauri Ferguson

Arlington Stake Primary

Second Counselor

From Necessary to Impossible

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

                                   Francis of Assisi

I came across this quote and thought it was pretty great.  How often do we feel unsure of where to start, how to accomplish our task effectively and keep our sanity?  Read this quote again and if I may add a little something to that, turn to your Father in Heaven...Heavenly Father knows what each one of us is dealing with, where our hearts and minds are and what we are capable of.  He is there and so wants to help!!! Because He loves us and has given us our agency, he will  wait patiently for us to come to Him and seek His help.  Please remember that you are not alone.  Ask for help from those around you, those serving with you, friends and leaders.  I have found that most of the time people are very willing to help and offer ideas/suggestions that allow us to see things from different perspectives.  When we do what's necessary and possible for us and couple that with seeking divine help we really are capable of the impossible.  We can help bring to pass small miracles that change lives.  Each of us can be the person who helps instill trust, shows love and builds and strengthens testimonies of those around us.  One person can make a huge difference...so be that person!  Do what you can, serve with a happy heart, trust that you aren't alone and know that what you are doing matters!! 

Thank you so much for all of your time, love, service and sacrifice.

Lauri Ferguson

Arlington Stake Primary

Second Counselor

Kindness Begins with me

Last week at the Arlington Schools, the staff are wearing pink shirts that read :

    "Bullying ends where kindness begins; it begins with me."

What a great message!! But you know, I've heard that somewhere before.

Kindness Begins with Me

         I want to be kind to ev'ryone, For that is right, you see.

        So I say to myself, "Remember this:  Kindness begins with me."

Jesus Said Love Everyone

        Jesus said love everyone; treat them kindly too.

        When your heart is filled with love; others will love you.

Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam

        Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, To shine for him each day;

        In ev'ry way try to please him At home, at school, at play.

        Jesus wants me to be loving And kind to all I see,

        Showing how pleasant and happy, His little one can be.

Also consider these songs: A Special Gift is Kindness, I am Like a Star, I'm Trying to be Like Jesus, Love One Another,  the Smile Song, We are Different, Friends are Fun.

What a blessing to hear messages of love and kindness each week in Primary!!

Thanks,
Elise Simbeck

Arlington Stake Primary

First Counselor

Rely on Him

As our minds are reflecting on our own mother or as our role as a mother today, do not forget that as women are called to nurture all who are in her stewardship.  I think this message applies to our callings in Primary as well. 

Jeffery R Holland counseled:

Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.” ¹¹ ‍ You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. Heis blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and someembarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master’s garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers,“Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.”  And it will make your children whole as well.

Happy Mother's Day!

Thanks,

Elise Simbeck

Arlington Stake Primary

First Counselor

Baptism

I went to my nieces baptism yesterday.  Before her baptism the bishop asked her, "What are going to bring to your baptism tomorrow?"  He was expecting extra clothes and a towel, but the answer he received was, "Faith and Hope".  Our little children are so good.  They are thoughtful and they love the Lord and His teachings.  They practice what they learn.  After her baptism she said she had a warm feeling inside and she knew her grandparents were there with her.  She was happy.  Good and right choices always bring joy.  I hope you all will see the joy as you attend the baptisms of the children in your Primary this year.  

Autumn McClellan

Arlington Stake Primary President