[Teachldsseminary] CHAT: Feeling inadequate with SM

[Bev Tracy]

I have tried various approaches to SM.  I put one student in charge of SM 
one year.  It was his responsibility as a class officer.  He was great for a 
couple of months and then got tired of it and stopped trying.  If you want 
more student involvement, I think assigning each student a scripture mastery 
would work well.

I have had great success with the approach I use now.  We do SM every single 
day.  On Mondays I write the entire SM on the board and we erase some words 
each day.  This helps those who learn well by rote memorization.  I also put 
up the picture poster (can't remember who posted these to the website).  I 
explain the picture--usually on Tuesdays.  That helps those who are visual 
learners.  I also play the sing the scriptures CD everyday.  The trick to 
using this CD is to have complete enthusiasm for the songs.  Sing with a 
smile and I always tell them that they will sing this song all day, to plant 
the idea in their minds.  That approach helps the auditory learners.  I 
always get parents who tell me that their child has been singing the 
scripture masteries.  :o)  We do Magic Square a lot in the first 2 weeks and 
then at random times after that.  They learn that quite quickly and can 
recall it quite well.  If I notice that they are struggling with it, I do it 
more often.  The Magic Square absolutely must be done with a smile and a 
positive attitude.  I make all the students stand and participate, then they 
are all in this together.  :o)

During the first 25 weeks, every time a learned SM is referenced in the 
lesson, we recite it all together--with the reference.  And, I will do some 
random activities such as starting to read the verse and then when the 
students find it, they join in until the whole class is reading together. 
Sometimes it takes 10 times through but that just helps with memorization.

After we have learned all 25 SM, we start scripture chasing at the beginning 
of class each day.  Sometimes, I ask for the first student to stand. 
Sometimes I give them 10 seconds and ask everyone who finds it to stand. 
Sometimes I wait for an entire row to stand.  Sometimes it is on your own 
and sometimes with help from your neighbor.  I use the back of the SM cards 
so they are familiar with the context and the application of the scriptures.

One thing to look forward to, in the spring I always play March Madness.  Is 
that Linda Harper that posts that game?  Every single class I have taught 
loves that game.  It involves skill and chance.  By the time my freshmen get 
to the scripture mastery fireside, we are ready!

Bev
EMS, Fair Oaks, CA