[Teachldsseminary] CHAT

[debra storm]

Here is a short list of simple activities or things we as teachers might do
to help our youth stay awake at 6 AM - there are many more ideas out there-
please feel free to add to this list...

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Top Ten Reasons for Keeping Students Awake at 6 AM:
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10. Because you will be more prone to go to bed on time that evening…?

9. You don't want to sleep your day away

8. D&C 88:124

7. Alma 37:37

6. Romans 13:11

5. Learning by osmosis is over-rated!

4. Teachers prefer to see the whites of your eyes, instead of the tops of
your heads

3. Be the one who makes things happen; not the one who watches things
happen; or the one who wondered what

happened!

2. There's no short cut to learning; you have to be active in your learning
process

1. Where much is given, much is expected. You are a royal generation with a
destiny to fulfill !
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Suggestions for Keeping Students awake and actively participating in class
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When reading a scripture passage, have them stand

When reading scriptures, have them look for something specific (a principle,
3 things…, etc) and have them stand or raise their hands

During rather lengthy stories or lectures, put random small candies on
table. Every time you say a certain word, the candies gets passed to the
left. Every time you say another certain word, the candies get passed to the
right.

If there is a rather long section of scriptures to read, have a fill-in
handout for students. After they fill in the first blank, have the class
take their scriptures and shift over one seat. They then find and fill in
the next blank on another student's paper. Have the class shift again, and
again around the room until the handout is complete

Designate a scribe or two to record on the board as passages are read by the
class

Have small groups of students (or for small classes have each student) draw
the message or principle being discussed - have them share their insights

Have a bag with random items in it. Have each student or small group of
students pick one thing out of the bag, then have them try to make a
connection between a certain part of the lesson and that item.

There are many simple science experiments (the library has tons of books for
elementary levels) that can be used with many lessons and principles. Have a
few students try to do the experiment, while the class looks on

Every time you show a video, have the class "assume the video position" -
out of their chairs and on the floor. On the outside chance that a female is
wearing a dress, she can remain in her seat.

For those classes that are taught in the church building or at home, teach
one portion of the lesson in a different room (object lesson in the kitchen,
search and ponder part in the living room or RS room; the application part
of the lesson in the gym or basement, or outside if possible.

If a lesson includes the early Saints moving from one location to another;
have the class collect their seminary stuff and move to another room. Maybe
spread a blanket and have a pretend "fire" ( a few pieces of wood) in the
center of the blanket.

If they leave their scriptures in the class, put a post it note with
something positive on it, a smiley face, or a simple quiet command (touch
your nose 3 times, raise both arms in the air , etc) in their scriptures on
a page that will be covered that day.

  Have small groups or each student responsible for a portion of a lesson-
give them specific directions, a few minutes to study and prepare, then
'return and report' to the class what they've found.

Hope this may spark a few successful ideas for your classrooms :-)

Debra

Columbus, OH