Lessons From the Primary

Greetings.
Today was wonderful day for me. I was able to sing with my daughter in the primary program. We sang the song "A Child's Prayer". My 5 year old daughter did SO amazing. She sounded so beautiful. The program took almost an hour, and was filled with the youth sharing their thought on our Savior. My 8 year old son gave a great talk on the 2,000 Stripling Warriors from the Book of Alma in the Book of Mormon. The kids all did so wonderful. It was comforting to see their sweet spirits and feel of the the love they had for each other and their families.

Tonight I am giving a Teacher Improvement lesson. My topic is actually one that I suggested be taught at a class, and the Sunday School President came to me and said since I had suggested it, might I want to teach about it. It's all good. Pasted below is the majority of the presentation. I don't really want to call it a talk:

Teacher Training Meeting
November 16, 2008

Hand out ½ sheet of paper
Write down a lesson (church or non) that really stands out in your mind/inspired you:


HOW do we communicate? What ways?
(List on board) E-mail, phone (Cell and land line), talking, sign, body language, written,


WHY do we communicate?
To express our feelings, share information, etc.


Share ½ sheet responses. Discuss


We need to be PREPARED to teach our listeners, and EXPECT them to be prepared to listen/learn.

We can’t be Saturday night preparers and then expect the Lord to fully pour out his spirit to your listeners.

Quote from Only An Elder by Elder Bruce R. McConkie“. New Era 2003

“We have adopted the standard works themselves, without modification, change, or dilution, as the priesthood study manuals. Every elder and prospective elder should read, ponder, and pray about all that is recorded in holy writ. We must learn directly from the fountain itself. We do, however, publish a study guide, which contains teaching aids and outlines the passages to be read by subjects. Under our new system we will do two things: (1) read the assigned standard works verbatim, from beginning to end, and (2) study by subjects (both doctrines and duties), with references drawn from all the standard works. Under our new system of quorum study, it is essential—nay, imperative—that quorum members bring their scriptures to class with them. This is also the express and personal request of President Kimball. Our very able associate, Brother Dean Larsen, director of instructional materials for the Church, tells us that in his high priests group the instructor asked, “How many of you have prepared for the lesson and brought your standard works with you this morning?” Finding none had, he said, “Well, in that case, I can’t teach you a lesson, and so we won’t have one today.” The report is that thereafter the members began to bring their scriptures with them. A brief lesson once a week is only a drop in an ocean of study. Our new study guide is designed to open the door to individual study of the scriptures, as well as to help us to study together as a family.”

· D&C 38: 30 if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.

· D&C 58: 6 hearts might be prepared to bear testimony.

· Lets look at some instruction from Teaching, No Greater Call:


Reader #1
Using a Variety of Methods from Lesson to Lesson
When a homemaker plans a week of dinner menus, she is not likely to decide to prepare identical meals on seven consecutive nights. Even when her budget is so limited that she has to prepare potatoes every night, she soon learns that there are many ways to serve potatoes.
The gospel can likewise be presented in a number of different ways. No teacher should fall into a monotonous pattern of presenting the same kind of lesson week after week. When you use a variety of learning activities, learners tend to understand gospel principles better and retain more. A carefully selected method can make a principle clearer, more interesting, and more memorable.
As you prepare to teach, ensure that you use a variety of teaching methods from lesson to lesson. This may mean using something as simple as a colorful poster or wall chart in one lesson and a list of questions on the chalkboard in another.


Reader #2
Using a Variety of Methods in Each Lesson
In addition to using a variety of methods from lesson to lesson, you should teach each lesson with variety. Children, with their natural curiosity, respond especially well to a variety of learning activities—usually between five and seven per lesson. Youth also respond well to a variety of methods. Even if you teach adults, you should consider using at least three methods in each lesson.


Reader #3
Selecting and Preparing a Variety of Teaching Methods
There are many resources available to help you choose methods when preparing your lessons. Keep in mind the following ideas as you plan which methods to use in a particular lesson:

• Consider first the suggestions given in the lesson manual. When necessary, adapt them to the needs of those you teach.

• Have a definite purpose for using a method. Choose methods that support and reinforce the main purpose of the lesson. They should be true to fact and life and emphasize truth, goodness, and beauty. Do not choose methods merely to amuse or take up time.

• Select methods that are appropriate and effective. Some methods, such as stories and using the chalkboard, will be used far more frequently than others, such as panel discussions and games. (See “Choosing Appropriate Methods,” page 91; “Choosing Effective Methods,” page 92.)

• When appropriate, choose methods that actively engage the learners. This is important for all learners, but especially for children.

• Practice using the methods before you teach the lesson. This is especially important if you have not used a particular method before.



(Hand out Sheet with List of Ideas)- Discuss how to use.


Pages 159-183 in Teaching, No Greater Call go over each activity and how to use it. Encourage to read over and look for ones that match what YOU need/are inspired to use.

As elder McConkie shared, Be prepared, Use a variety of methods, and Expect your listeners to be prepared




I hope that through this lesson that the teachers of our ward will be able to have a greater desire to seek the help of the Lord as they prepare their lessons. That they will seek to prepare them early (Not on Saturday night).


I am also speaking in two weeks in a combined priesthood and relief society meeting. The topic is going to be interesting. It is from the article entitled, "Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship". Elder Hales shared the talk in the October general conference, Sunday morning session.
Until next time,
Keep the Faith...