Sharing Time - March Week 1

Like I said earlier this week, I'm not teaching this month, but I have as I've read over the lesson, I've had a couple ideas.  Simple and easy things I would do to bring across our focuses this year (using the armor of God theme and ACTION to grow each and every testimony) .

First, I like how the Sharing Time Outline has you use the song "Do As I'm Doing" because it's always a top kid favorite.  They'll have so much fun singing and following each other.  I would add some props (like scriptures to read with, markers to color where they shouldn't, trash to throw on the ground, a trash bag to pick up the trash and put away...) and talk to a couple of kids about using the props to blatantly show either a good or bad example to follow. 

Then to transition to the second section we'd talk about how we should only follow the good examples, even though it's sometimes hard because we want to be friends with everyone (and want everyone to like us).  While it might be hard to know which friends example to follow, we can always be certain we're doing the right thing if we're following the example of one person.  Who?  Jesus Christ, of course.

I love including scriptures and the next section does that very well.  It might be fun to have them scripture chase to the correct scriptures (at least in senior primary, although you could do it in junior if the teachers are helping) and have them choose the correct picture (and discussing them) to go along with it as instructed. 

While I think these pictures illustrate wonderful ways we can follow our Saviors example, I also think it's important to stress more small daily acts. 

I'd first talk to the kids about how to brainstorm (giving ideas as quickly as possible without criticism or discussion) and then ask them to brainstorm about how they thought Jesus acted everyday.  Writing on a board what sort of things He did with His time and what was most important.  I'd maybe even bring in a big kitchen timer (or use the noisy, annoying one on my phone) to get them shouting out ideas more quickly with a deadline looming.

Then, we'd talk about how we can turn the chalkboard list into goals, actions we can work on during the week.  This would be my Testimony Challenge to them for the next week.  Choose one way to become more like the Savior and then DO IT!  If they come back with something they've done to follow through on the goal, I would reward them.

I'd end by sharing my testimony (while holding up the helmet of salvation we added to our armor of God guy at the beginning of primary) that our Savior is the one and only way to salvation.  He is the light and the path we need to follow throughout this life if eternal life is truly our goal.

This is an awesome month for primary.  I'm so excited to watch them learn and grow and feel their love for our Savior!

Lists

I am a list maker.  Have you ever heard someone say something along the lines of if it isn't on a list, it doesn't get done?  I'm that person.

Most of the time, I love my lists.  A lot.  Every once in a while I sort of have a subconscious revolt against all my lists.  I say subconscious because I don't sit down and decide to stop making lists, I just do it and then later (as things aren't getting done and I'm getting frustrated), I realize I haven't been making lists.

Maybe I start to get cocky and think I don't need my lists.  Except I really do.  Even though I have started to use the calendar on my phone to remind me of just about everything I need to do, there are still a TON of things that don't have a specific due date.  Which makes it a little harder to put on a calendar.

I know there are list apps out there by the dozen, but I'm sort of old school.  My very favorite list making equipment include my trust ball point pen (pencils smear too much) and yellow lined post-it paper. 

 

The post-it paper is perfect.  It's not too big (so my lists can't get out of control) and I can literally stick them anywhere (they're not lying).  So I can see my lists sitting out reminding me of the things I need to get done over and over during the day. 

 

A few weeks ago, I thought it might be fun to sit down Monday mornings, make out my list and share it with you, but I kept waiting to have my full, complete list and that never happens.  I don't just have that one list that I can get done and everything is finished for the week.  It seems that for every item I cross off, something else comes up that I need to add to my list. 

So, I given up on having the perfect all inclusive list.  Although, I am still going to include the things I've already gotten done, just so I can see them crossed off...it's more fun that way.

1. Calls
     - Blue and Gold banquet set up & sign up
     - Primary child baptism info
2. Organize Primary spotlight notebook
3. Organize Primary binder (it's always a mess after Sunday)
4. Help James get his talk ready for Sunday
5. Email Harmony (who I homeschool/independent study through for reimbursement purposes)
6. Add poetry books to Amazon wish list (I'm going to post about this later)
7. Start family picture wall
8. Work on temple picture wall
9. Get star type memorization ready
     - Find pictures
     - Type up characteristics
10. Print Picky Palate recipe
11. Go through The Parenting Breakthrough list with Steve
     - Type up list in check-off format
12. Get tithing ready to pay
13. Talk to Activity Day leaders about annual calendar/budget
14. Talk to Cub Scout leaders about budget
15. Pick out St. Patricks Day crafts/activities to do

I will admit that sometimes, I'll add things to my list just so I can cross them off (doesn't everyone do that?) and other times, if a single item is taking too long, I'll break it into sections so I can feel like I'm making progress.

How do you keep track of all your To Do's?

Children's Primary Talks

This last Sunday my 3 year old gave a talk in primary.  The best part?  It went fantastic and he was completely adorable.

All due to my awesome friend and her super great idea that I stole.  Her kids have always given the greatest talks all on their own, even when they were/are Sunbeams, so I finally decided I should try her idea out (yes, it'd been at least a few years and yes, I am slow...a lot).

Simply put, she uses pictures to anchor the talk.  Anywhere from a couple pictures to several and each picture has a sentence to go along with it.  The kids remember the sentence because it is based on the picture.  She usually uses the Gospel Art Kit pictures, and I did use a few, but I thought Josh would be excited to show pictures of himself doing what he was talking about (and he was).

For Josh's talk, I handed him a picture, he held it up for everyone to see and then he said his sentence.  Just as a side note, what he ended up saying wasn't exactly what we originally practiced.  He adapted my sentences into his own words and I let him. 

The first picture was a photo of Christ and Josh said, "Jesus Christ loves us to follow the commandments."

"Jesus loves us to pray."

"Jesus loves us to obey our moms and dads." (He's making his bed, it was the easiest way I could think of to show this commandment)

"Jesus loves us to love our families."

"Jesus loves us to read the scriptures."

The last photo was a another picture of Christ, this time surrounded by children, which Josh held while saying, "If we follow the commandments, we can live with Jesus again."

 

It was very short and simple, but he was so proud of himself for being able to do it ALL BY HIMSELF!  You wouldn't believe how excited and happy he was. 

 

If you haven't tried the picture method yet, give it a try, you'll be amazed at how much fun it is for both of you (oh, and if you put the pictures in sheet protectors, they'll actually last through your week of practicing)!

Helmet of Salvation

One thing I miss about other callings I've had at church is the research.  When teaching the youth or the women I always read several talks and scriptures and learn A LOT!  While I do learn in primary, it's not exactly the same.

So,To fill in that lack and even help me teach better in primary, I thought I'd read and study about the piece of armor we add each month. 

In March (this up coming Sunday...where is the year going already?!) we'll be adding the helmet of salvation.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 says, "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation."

I really like the use of the word hope.  Especially when we keep in mind that it is the scriptural version of the word hope, not today's definition.  Hope is not, "Well, I hope the Broncos are going to win the Superbowl this year," although my husband really would've liked that to have happened.  This sort of hope implies uncertainty and it is not how the scriptures use it the word.

Hope in the scriptural context means the confidence we have in our Savior Jesus Christ.  Something firm and unshakable, in fact Hebrews 6:19 says, "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil." 

Our hope in Christ is an anchor.  It is an anchor not just for our soul, but for our faith.  It is what propels us forward and lets light into our lives. 

I searched through some conference talks and came up with these three to read:

The Infinite Power of Hope, by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Hope, by Elder Steven L. Snow
An Eternal Hope in Christ, by President Spencer W. Kimball

Over this week I'm going to study these and do a topical search in my scriptures to LEARN so I can better TEACH.

I'm not actually teaching during sharing time this month, but I will be posting some ideas on how to incorporate the helmet of salvation into your sharing time.  If you have any great ideas you want to share with the others, comment so we can all learn together!

Library Love

If you've read very many of my posts, you'll know how much I love the library. 

In my head right now I hear my kids saying, "Why don't you marry it?" 

How do these things get passed down?  There are so many sayings I said as a child that I've never, even once, said to my kids and yet, THEY KNOW THEM ALL!  Does it just get passed down in the womb? 

Although, if it were possible, I might just think about marrying the library.  As long as Steve (my husband) didn't mind. 

I have so many memories of walking through the library as a child.  Looking for another perfect book (thank you mom!).  It all started for me in 3rd grade.  I can still see the library shelf where I found it, I was probably there with my mom, and I remember pulling out a book titled Little Red Riding Hood.  Now this wasn't a regular Little Red Riding Hood, this was a 70 page book with only a few pictures. 

I vividly remembering the feeling of pride as I finished reading it and then wondering what other books I might like.  After that I was hooked, both on books and libraries. 

Even as a teenager, I would drive myself to the library to peruse the shelves and check out new books.

The firt thing I do when I move to a new town isn't to find the local grocery store or anything else trivial like that, I find the closest library.  Then after visiting that one, I visit every library within driving distance in my county.  You know, just to see which is better.  And because I think it's fun.

Right now I use the library more than I ever have in my life.  It's an integral part of our homeschooling life.  Once a week I sit down with my different curriculum and my library's website to find books that go along with what we're learning and then we go.  Every week, without fail.

Thank goodness for inter-library loan.  I can request books from any library in my county be sent to the library closest to me.  The whole library is literally at my fingertips. 

I regularly have 70 books checked out.  My husband thinks I'm nuts.  So do most of my friends and family.  I think I'm blessed to have access to this amazing resource.

Of those 70 books, probably somewhere around a half to one third I've checked out for school (which means we keep them for 2-3 weeks) and the rest are books that my kids pick out (which means we return and exchange them weekly...usually). 

I'm thinking about making each of my kids book bags (transportation is kind of an issue).  I know they could just use their backpacks, but for some reason, the idea of having to unzip and rezip them isn't very appealing to me.  I've found some really cute ideas on Pinterest and I'm thinking this summer I'll sit down and figure something out.  If you've done (or seen) a project like this, I'd love to hear about it!

I would also love to hear how many library books you guys check out.  Do you go once a week?  Month?  Season?  Do you give your kids a 2 book limit or let them go crazy?

The Parenting Breakthrough

Several weeks ago I was playing a game with  my in-laws.  I can't remember the title (I'm TERRIBLE with names), but it was one of those games where one person reads a question and then has to guess which answer came from which person.  The question was something like, "What do you hope for your children?" 

 

My answer?  "That they'll move out and never move back in."  Everyone laughed and oooed me when they read it, like it was a mean or bad answer.  It really isn't.

 

I love my kids a ton.  I love to be with them so much that I choose to home school them.  I also love them so much that I want them to be independent enough to move out and never want to move back in.  I think I wrote about this in another post a few weeks ago, but my point today is that my journey to reach this point started when I read a very cool book.

 

You know what? It always seems to start with a book.  I love books.  I love learning.  It's such a gift and I'm constantly amazed at all I get to learn. 

Anyway, back to THE book.  I'm sure that most parents would want their kids to be responsible and independent, but might not think about exactly how that happens (or they think it'll just magically happen as they grow up).  Enter The Parenting Breakthrough by Merilee Boyack.

 

Even if it wasn't chock full of amazing advice and practical, use able information, it would be worth reading.  Merrilee is funny.  It's almost like you're sitting down with a friend and she's telling you all about her life. 

 

But it IS full of all kinds of amazing stuff.  In fact, my copy is highlighted, has notes in it and has the corners of several pages turned down for easy reference. 

 

Do you notice how the cover says it's "a real-life plan to teach kids?"  She has a PLAN, a step by step list to make your own simple, easy plan to teach your kids everything they'll need to know when they leave your home. 

 

Adapting her plan is one of my goals for this year.  I've used bits of her plan (the one she includes as an example) over the past few years, but I haven't actually sat down and adjusted it for our family.  I'm going to. 

 

If you've never heard of this book, go buy it (or be like me and see if your library has it to make sure you really like it first).  Your kids might be unhappy about it at first, but the pride that comes from knowing how to accomplish things far outweighs the negatives (eventually).

 

Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book:

 

"I don't want to give offense to anyone, but I want my children to grow up and move away so I can have grandchildren I can visit!  Isn't that why we had children to begin with?  I want the icing on the cake.  Not only do I want lots of grandchildren, but I want to spend years watching my children raise them.  Talk about joy.  I don't think it can get any better than that.  I want to listen to my kids complaining about how their children won't clean their rooms, don't do what they're told, and are lazy and unmotivated.  I'm going to spend decades just laughing.  My grand kids are going to think they have the happiest grandma on the planet."

Isn't that amazing?! 

Maybe I'll post my version of Merilee's lists when we get them done.  Have any of you read her book?  Made your own plans?  Parenting is one of my favorite subjects to read about, so if you have your own favorite book, let me know so I can add it to my To Read list!

 

Sharing Time - February Week 4

I've wanted to do this all month, but I haven't for two reasons. 

First, I never took the time to get all my thoughts together until the very, very end of each week. 

Second, I'm not really one of those originally creative people.  I am really good at finding what others have done and adding a little tweak (or combining a few into one whole new, like this lesson) and I wasn't sure that was worth posting. 

But I decided to go ahead.  So, keep in mind that my idea is not mine, just a slightly changed version of a few very creative and talented ladies. 

HUM

I'm going to follow pretty closely to the outline to introduce the week's topic (you can view a pdf of the whole year here).  I love singing and the kids really do, too (even though I sound fairly terrible, I think I'll have my counselors help out on this one).  I'll tell them that I'm going to hum a song and when they recognize it, I want them to stand up and hum along with me.  Then I'm going to ask them what they think today's lesson is about.  And we'll talk a little bit about last weeks lesson of being tested and how that ties into following the commandments.

RULES

Here I'm going to have a few kids (4-6 depending on how many kids are there) use some cute signs I found on Hatch Patch to write one of their family rules.  They'll be writing the rules incognito because once we get to this section, I'll have them and their signs (all mixed up) at the front of the room and the rest of the primary will get to guess which rule goes with which child.  When the primary guesses correctly, the child will say why this is a rule in their home and how it protects them.

I'm also going to talk just a little bit about how everyone has to follow rules if they want to stay safe and use a quote I found on Sofia's Primary Ideas by Joseph Smith that says, "I made this my rule: When the Lord commands, do it."

From here I'll talk about a hand out (but I won't actually hand it out until the end to prevent the paper rustling) and their next weeks challenge...

(Just as an aside, we're trying to give them ways to LIVE the gospel every week.  We learn in primary, but the real growth happens when they live the gospel and we want them to have those experiences.)

...which will be to complete the writing/coloring activity recommended in the outline (I found a cute one on Hatch Patch) by looking up scriptures and drawing a related picture and then bring it back the next Sunday.  I will also have them tell me a way they've followed one of the commandments they've read about when they show it to me.

ETERNAL LIFE
 Last, we're going to talk about eternal life.  On Sofia's Primary Ideas (a lot of this comes from here), she has you wrap the letters, randomly hand them out and then have the kids try to unscramble them.  One of my big goals in life is to simplify and so I'm skipping the wrapping step.

After unscrambling the letters (I'm just going to open up word and make each letter big enough for one page) we'll read D&C 14:7, "If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God."

Then we'll talk about what a promise is.  What it means when we make one compared to what it meas when God makes one.  Can Heavenly Father back out of a promise?

As an object lesson we'll tie two kids legs together three legged style and have then walk across the primary room.  When they're done I'll ask if it's possible that one can raise their leg and walk without the other.  No.  They are BOUND together.  We'll read D&C 82:10, "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."  Heavenly Father HAS to keep His promises, but only when we follow His rules. 

I'll end by bearing my testimony that following the commandments leads us to happiness ("Men are that they might have joy"), referencing their family rules and reminding them of my challenge for them this week.

Good luck with your week!!!