[Teachldsseminary] Help--A few unruly students

[Marji]

At what point should we start involving the parents?
=-============

IMO, involve the parents immediately AND the bishop.  I was having a real
problem with tardiness last year, and didn't want to step on toes, etc.,
since some of the kids (the most tardy) traveled 40 minutes just to get
there by 630 (or so).

With involving the parents and the bishop the problem resolved itself almost
immediately.

With your bunch, here are some random ideas that might help:

Have some lessons specifically on reverence and respect for Deity and one
another as children of God.  Point out why you are having the lessons.

Involve the unruly kids in giving the lesson somehow (write on the board,
pass out handouts, tally up responses to a quiz or poll, anything to get
them involved actively in something positive).

Don't ignore the behavior (take this advice with discretion) - sometimes
some things should be ignored or it reinforces the behavior.  But sometimes
they need to be called on it.

Invite their parents to attend seminary with them - tell them why.

Invite a member of the bishopric to attend seminary  for a while - tell them
why.

Reinforce reading of the scriptures on an individual basis, emphasize it.
When these kids can immerse themselves in the holy word, changes happen
within them that only the Lord can cause.  I'm convinced that when I put one
of my "trouble" kids in charge of keeping track of everyone's private
reading and keeping a reading chart for each student, that it inspired him
to get into the scriptures, and it literally changed his life - he's off to
a mission shortly!

The message is the Lord's - don't take things personally.  Don't think or
say "You're not listening to MY lesson" - remind them that you are not there
to trifle with words, and that they are listening to the Lord's message -
don't trifle with it.

Use peer pressure where ever you can.  Have the students try their influence
with the unruly ones - that works sometimes.

We used to have a stuffed monkey with a t-shirt that said Goofing off in NY
or something like that.  When I had conversations going or anything else
that was too disruptive, I would literally toss the monkey at them and say
"no goofing off!"  They had to toss it back to me.  But it caught their
attention in an easy going way.

I had one student who gradually stopped coming in at all.  She would hang
out in the bathroom the whole time.  That's when it gets really sad.

And in the final analysis, remember that you are there to teach the STUDENT
not the lesson (please don't misunderstand that statement).  Sometimes the
Student is the Lesson.  Charity, love, patience, calling back the prodigal,
etc.  

Make it a whole class project to have "no empty seats" - set a class goal
that they can get involved in, using peer pressure again, and maybe their
life will turn around.

The real secret, however you can manage it, is to get them to experience the
sweet feelings of the spirit- when they truly have a spiritual experience
then they will no longer trifle with their privilege of attending seminary.

Good luck.  The Lord answers prayers - don't forget the power of prayer for
each one.

Marji