A delay in ideas

Just a note to let you know my silence has been the result of a very sick laptop, that has now been fixed and then I had a trip to the hospital myself. 

Nothing too problematic. I am asthmatic, and have struggled this winter season, and wasn't responding to traditional methods of medicating. But as it turns out, back in August my preventative was changed by a different GP at our family's surgery, and over a six month period I basically struggled and finally lost control of the illness. I had to be admitted, as I was relying on nebulisation every four hours and I needed to be placed on a higher dosage of steroids, that GP's can't prescribe. But they still did a full m.o.t on me anyway to check that all was ok, and thankfully it was - just glad to be home, I am sooo not a fan of needles.

I'll be back to sharing ideas just as soon as I can.

Take care,

Jacinda

February 2011 Sharing Time

Week One

Heavenly father has a plan for me.

Ideas based on the Primary 2011 outline with some images sourced through Sugardoodle.

Needed: Builders costume to some degree, [Hard hat, tool belt, tool box]. A 'project sack' [or bag, or box, whatever deems appropriate], preprepared envelop, bag of mini marshmallows, a couple of packets of toothpicks, CD player, music cd containing songs mentioned below and GAKs.

Preparation: Envelope labelled, with step-by-step instructions and photograph of final product placed inside.

Lesson: I'm going to arrive dressed like a builder – hard hat, tool belt, and lug in tool box. Once at the front of the class I'll open up my 'project sack'.....look a little worried, lift my hat and scratch my head “Oh boy! This looks odd, I've never used these materials before?!” And I'll ask the children if they could help me with my project.

As I explain that I've been asked to make a street of houses with some very special equipment. I'll make a point of first pulling out a large envelope with the words 'house plans' written large and clearly on the front and make the comment "Oooh the house plans, they'll tell us what to do, so lets keep them safe, because they're just so important." and then place them to one side. I'll then empty the contents of my 'project sack' to reveal mini marshmallows and toothpicks.

This is what you'll want to make, eventually though. The first time through should be a confused mess, 'botched up' for want of a better phrase, and should not look like this.

The activity is just right for little fingers, or if you choose to do this with older children, you can become quite elaborate. The skies the limit really, as you can be as creative as you like with them. Have fun!

We'll then have a go at making a house each. After a little time I'll stand back to admire our work. Then remember, that I have a picture of what the houses should look like when it's finished. And be devastated that our creations look nothing like the photograph. 

I'll then discover the plans, and draw the class's attention to the envelope and ask what do you think 'house plan' means?

Together we will open the envelope to reveal a picture of the finished house and a step by step plan of how to build it. We'll discuss the photograph with the comment, “that looks nothing like what I have built,” “What do you think?” “Well, why not? We worked hard, it hasn't fallen down - what is wrong with what we did?” I'll feed the discussion in such a way that the children understand that the houses built aren't the same because I didn't use the plan given.

We'll then rebuild our houses together using the plan, and when completed compare it to picture we have to see if it is correct. I'll then ask, "Why is it important to follow plans?"

I'll rummage through my tool box and pull out the scriptures, explaining that we can find Heavenly Father's plan for us in the scriptures.

Hidden around the room is a special message for you, have each child search out a word and return it to the front where we will work together to form the sentence, "Heavenly Father has a plan for me." Re-reading the sentence together.

I'll now instruct them that I need listening detectives as the music carefully. I want to play them some music with very important answers. They will be the answers to the questions I ask about Heavenly father's plan for them. And as soon as they hear the answer I want them to stand up tall. Our junior primary cannot completely sing all of the songs suggested in the Primary Outline, and as our pianist is busy with the seniors music time during our juniors sharing time, I have adapted this activity to suit our children's needs.

A child will open the first envelop and read the question - “Who am I?”

Then play 'I am a child of God' [CS, 2].

Once the first verse and chorus is complete I'll ask the first child standing to answer the question. I'll then explain what it means to be a child of God. While showing GAK 608.

I'll repeat the above process for the following:

Where did I come from? - I lived in Heaven [CS, 4], and use the first image taken from the illustrated scriptures.

Why am I here? - I will follow Gods plan [CS, 164], I have decided to use this image from Sugardoodle, [where would we all be without Sugardoodle! Thank you Melanie].

What will happen to me after I die? - Did Jesus really live again [CS, 64], with GAK 234 or this image of Mary and the resurrected Christ as a visual.

I will then conclude and testify that Heavenly Fathers plan will guide us correctly, safely and bring us happiness.

Resources: The house plan and photograph of final house are below, just click on them get get a full sized image. [I've chosen to do it this way so there won't be any downloading issues in trying to access these files. However, if there is still a problem comment and I'll email them directly to you - the comments come to me first so your email address will stay private]. GAK617 or child following Christ, GAK234 or Mary and the resurrected Christ, GAK 608, I lived in Heaven, and if you wanted to make a cd with just the four songs required on it, to save time changing cds and loading player I've downloaded them from here.

The plan...keenly demonstrated by my 'Miss 9'

and the final product - yay!

Week Two

Jesus Christ created the earth for me.

Ideas based on the Primary 2011 outline.

Needed: Cards numbered 1 to 5 with the spelling O, R, D, E, R on the reverse [O behind 1, R behind 2, etc], largest to smallest toys like stacking toys, 'A, B, C, D, E' foam shapes [or flash cards], sequence photographs, booklets, illustrations, glue sticks, cd player, My Heavenly Father loves me music, salt dough/building noodles.

Preparation: Booklets collated, illustration packs printed out, salt dough made, photographs and 'order' label printed and ordering tasks organised.

Lesson: I'll begin by showing the children a line-up of numbers, 1 to 5, out of order. And asked if they could see anything wrong with my layout.

I'll then select a child confident enough to complete the task to correct my mistakes and put the numbers in the correct order.

I'll then have another child come and turn each number over to reveal a letter, and in-turn the word 'ORDER.' I'll follow this with the question - “Order? Does anyone what tell me what the word means?”

I'll positively encourage their answers and then ask them if they would like to show me. And then I will display two different ordering tasks. 'Largest to smallest' activity, mixed up foam letter shapes, and a small pile of coloured buttons. I'll break them into groups to sort and order one set of items and then display back to the group. I'll tell them that they are all far too clever for me, so now I'm going to get tricky!

I'll then display a mixed up sequence of photographs of an everyday routine, and have the children put the photographs in the correct order.

I'll then explain that in the scriptures we learn that Jesus created the earth we live on in a certain order. I'll give each a plain A5 booklet [with a 'day number' on one page spread and a blank page opposite], and a mixed up set of illustrations for ordering.

As I read each scripture reference in creation order, I'll have them listen for the day number and the creation event. Then find that illustration and match it to the day number in their booklet and glue it in place.

After reading the days of creation I'll ask the children to, “think of one thing Jesus created that is important to you?” I was going to follow the outline and use salt dough for their creations. But I discovered 'Building Noodles' at a PLA Resource Centre, [a massive box for £2.00, and consequently had to have them, they are so fun!], not to mention less mess to clean up. So I'll be using them for this creating session.

While they are busy creating I'll have the song 'My heavenly Father loves me' [CS, 228], playing in the background. Once they are completed I'll have the children share what they have made and why it is important to them.

I will conclude by testifying that the Saviour created the world in order for them. For them to experience joy, happiness and peace in it's beauty and wonder. And that all was created because they were loved, and are important to Him.

I will then encourage them to take their creations home and share with their families what their creation is and why it was important to them. They can also colour their booklets in at home and maybe show their family the order of the creation during a family home evening.

Resources: Booklets [Just print collate, fold in half and staple, or double side tape down the center], illustration packs, sequence photographs and 'order' label. These will become available over the coming week.

And if you want to do salt dough, here's the recipe, Salt Dough Recipe: 1 cup salt, 4 cups flour, 1 tablespoon cooking oil, 2 cups water, Food coloring [optional]. Mix the salt and flour. In another bowl, mix the oil, water, and, if desired, food coloring. Then mix the oil and water into the flour and salt mixture. Knead the mixture into a dough. Put the dough into an airtight container to keep it soft.

Week Three

Families are central to Heavenly Fathers plan.

Ideas based on the Primary 2011 outline.

Needed: Prepared items, [see below].

Preparation: 'Heart-attack' the lesson room with hearts containing phrases about the family. Ask a couple to come into sharing time in character [with a couple of props, or costume items], to share their scripture story with the group. A pack of 'heart-attacks' for each child.

Lesson: I'll begin by introducing the topic, “Families are central to Heavenly Father's plan, and today we a very fortunate to have this lovely family come and visit with us.”

I'll ask: Does anyone know who they are representing?

At this point I'll let the invited couple take over, revealing one clue at a time until the children guess. The couple will then explain their scripture story, take questions, and bear testimony of the importance of family, keeping the commandments and following Jesus Christ.

I'll then have the children move around the room sharing some of the 'heart-attacks' on the walls. I'll then give the children the opportunity to make up their own set of hearts with all the reasons why they love their family. I'll be encouraging them to secretly 'heart-attack' their fridge with them when they get home.

Resources: Class room 'heart-attack', template for children's own 'heart-attack' take home packs.