CSMP

Fall is closing in and time is fast approaching for your 

Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation

Please refer to the September 2011 posts for some great suggestions and details about planning, but just some reminders -

• Let children use their own words as much as possible to show what they have learned and are testifying about.
• Make sure to have “script” approved by Bishop / Branch President before you start practicing.
• Don't stress – this shouldn't be a huge production, and you've been preparing the children all year.
• This is a great opportunity for the children to be “Primary Missionaries” as President Porter has asked them to be. Help them invite friends, neighbors and family members to attend. You can help the children make invitations and encourage parents to help children give out those invitations. Don't miss this great missionary opportunity!
• If your Primary is small - simplify. It's ok if the program doesn't last the whole sacrament time, but do something to let the children share, in song and word, what they have learned in Primary this year.

We are looking forward to attending as many as we are able.

*VARIETY IN TEACHING*

During Gospel Instruction, Class, Lessons, & Music

“To help others want to learn, our teaching must be  interesting.

To help them understand, our teaching must be  clear.

To help them retain and ponder what they learn, our teaching must be memorable.” ( Teaching, No Greater Call)

The gospel can be presented in a number of different ways. I always use the potato as an example of a vegetable that can be prepared many ways. If you served mashed potatoes each and every night you would soon tire of it. No teacher should fall into a monotonous pattern of presenting lessons the same way week after week. Use variety to help learners understand and retain and also to help you feel excited about your call. Take time to make sure that you are using different and a variety of methods each and every week.

• In the case of young children, engage, engage, and engage the learners. There are many resources available. Practice using the methods before you teach them. There is an excellent chart on page 90 of Teaching No Greater Call. Look at this chart, make a copy of it and keep tabs of what you are doing on the chart. This book TNGC should go hand in hand with your manual whether it is a class, Sharing Time Gospel Instruction, or Music you are teaching. It will give you ideas and confidence in your calling. The Lord has provided this wonderful tool for you to be successful in teaching his little ones.
• In the month of August the outline for sharing time/gospel instruction helps uses storytelling; an object lesson; questions before you read so they can find the answer; stations where the children visit and read, listen and look; discussions; memorizing a scripture by using first letters; group activity of drawing and sharing their drawings; a scripture activity with the children engaged; and helps with adapting for the size of your primary. (A variety of 9 ideas!)
• In music first you need to know the song, practice practice, and practice. The suggested outline has you singing the song to the children, with something for them to listen and count; then the children clap the rhythm while you sing; display simple pictures with key words and engage them in an activity with the words and pictures; sing phrases; repeat activity; and sing the entire song several times. Testify of the importance of trying to be like Jesus. These are the helps given for the month. (A variety of 9 ideas here also)
• Be brave, have faith, try new ideas, plan ahead and use variety.
  by Jackie Bowen

Simplified Steps for New Scout Leaders in Primary

 Welcome New Scout Leader in Primary is a 2 page PDF document that we hope will help simplify the sometimes overwhelming task of learning what you need to know as a new scout leader. It contains links to online scout training, the Scouting Handbook for Church Units in the United States and as well as some helpful organization resources. The Link is also listed to the right under BSA online training. It is presented as a series of steps, so that things are done in the proper order. All who have responsibilities for or in Scouting ( Bishopric members, Primary presidents and presidency members, Scout committee members as well as the leaders working directly with the boys should be familiar with these steps and accomplish any missing steps so you can be fully trained and effective in your callings. Our Primary age boys deserve a well functioning Scouting program that will contribute to the efforts of families and Primary on Sunday to build testimonies in the lives of these future Priesthood holders. Please utilize this new tool in your Primary program.
by Tiare Fullmer

God Loves You

Carrying on in the same thread as last month’s post and because it is February, a month dedicated to love; I have chosen to write about another aspect of love. In this month’s Friend magazine there is a “Bright Idea” poster that has a quote from President Uchtdorf that says,

“You are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you.”

www.lds.org/friend/2012/02/bright-idea?lang=eng)

It is based on his talk in last October’s conference entitled “You Matter to Him”. When I read the poster the thought occurred to me that not only was this one of the most important messages we must teach to our precious primary children but it is also one of the most important lessons we must learn ourselves. In fact, we must gain a testimony of this love Heavenly Father has for us so the children will feel our love and His love too.

Rather that writing a long blog post for you to read this month, I encourage each of you to read or re-read President Uchtdorf’s talk and then pray to strengthen your testimony of God’s love for you. Then pray for the inspiration to help each child feel this love from our Heavenly Father also. I have included the link to the talk below or you can go to LDS.org to read it. The talk is also printed in the November 2011 Ensign.

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/you-matter-to-him?lang=eng

by Sandy Blackwell

Love the Children

Some of you in this New Year will be teaching new students. Some of the ones that you have been teaching are still with you. How much do you really know about each one of these children? Do you know their family situation, their likes and dislikes, the honors they have earned, how they learn?

In my home and school room I have two sayings that I have tried to live up to. One says “Children need loving the most when they deserve it the least” and the other one reminds me that “Children do not care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

The first method of teaching in the church encourages us and teaches us that we should “love those you teach.” How can this make a difference? “As you show your love for those you teach, they become more open to learning from you and more aware of their eternal worth.” This is the foundation for learning and teaching. If you grow to know the children in your Primary and know their interests and needs then they will become more receptive to you. You will be able to teach the things the Lord wants when the children know that you care and come to love you in return.

It is important that you spend time developing this love.

Things you can do

Pray for each member of your class.

Do all you can to know their interests and needs?

Learn each child’s name and use this name when addressing them.

Listen to them and express appreciation for their participation.

The time you spend learning about your class members or all the Primary children if that is your calling, will make your teaching experience become one that will give you joy and peace. When Jesus had the children gathered around Him, angels surrounded them and protected them. We are those angels here upon the earth to surround our children with love and understanding, ready to protect them and help them along their journey here on earth. We are here to support the home in teaching these precious spirits.

By Jackie Bowen

Plan Now for Success

by Tiare Fullmer

2012 is fast approaching and if you do some preliminary planning now, you will find things going much more smoothly and successfully in the coming year.

Here are some ideas you might want to consider:

• Outline / calendar – Look ahead and plan for stake and general conference, CSMP, etc.. Assignments can be made for conducting sharing time, giving gospel instruction, visit classes, greeting, etc...

Here is an example:

	Monthly theme and scripture			Monthly song		Activity/ Lesson
Jan	Agency Is the Gift to Choose for Ourselves “Wherefore, men are free... to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men” (2 Nephi 2:27)			As a Child of God (outline)		14th - Stake Aux. Training
	Weekly theme	Open Ex	Conduct	G Instruct	Visit	Lesson #
1	Introduce 2012 Theme	Talk - Bish	2nd C	1st C		1
8	Agency is the gift to choose for ourselves.	A of F, myGS	Presi	2nd C	1st C	2
15	Agency is the gift to choose for ourselves.	Talk - child	2nd C	1st C	Pres	3
22	In the premortal life, I chose to follow God's plan.	Pres message	Presi	Sec	2nd C	4
29	Jesus Christ created the earth as a place where I can learn to choose the right.	Talk - child	1st C	Pres		5

• Talks / scriptures / prayers for sharing time -– Figure out the way you will assign and remind the children [and their parents] Keep track so all can have a chance participate and of children and their talks that you might want to include in the CSMP.

• Sharing Time Agenda - Plan a basic agenda that you can use each week to conduct Sharing Time that has places to fill in the talks, prayers, songs, etc.
• Goals - Set long term goals to improve your effectiveness at accomplishing the purposes of Primary. This is the step-back, big-picture kind of planning. Periodically evaluate and track your progress. The Primary secretary can be great help here as well.
• Presidency duties – A list to define who is responsible for what – ex: 1^st Counselor - over AD for G and CTR classes and general teacher improvement...
• Presidency meetings – When and where will you have them? This council is very important to a properly functioning Primary – if you are having lots of difficulty – check and see if this meeting is happening effectively.
• Lesson schedule – make yearly schedule so all know which lesson they should be on – especially great for when you need last minute substitutes, etc. A list of approved substitutes is another thing you can include for teachers
• Class lists , teacher instructions and next year manuals [CTR and Valiant classes all change manuals]– Plan how you will get this information to the teachers. Remember, personal contact is always best so you can encourage, answer any ?? and determine what there needs are.
• Parent letter – Introduce parents to the yearly theme and give them any instructions such as picking up children promptly, making sure children go to the bathroom before coming to Primary, not allow children to bring toys, policy about food, etc...
• Nursery schedule– The basic Sunday schedule, possibly who does what each week, snacks...
• Nursery parent letter – Again, involve the parents and make sure they know the policies, etc.

• Music plan – The outline has basic songs to teach listed under several months, but gives plenty of room for you to chose songs. If you have a plan of specific songs you want to teach and make sure the children know well this year, it will focus your singing time. You can also have a plan for opening exercises songs. If this is planned and given ahead of time to the presidency, they have time to make sure it's correct on the agenda and opening exercises will flow smoothly.
• Music practice CD – audio files of all the Primary songs are available on the church website. Making a Cd for each child of the songs you will learn and emphasize this year can really be helpful, especially to children who don't attend consistently.
• AD for girls & cub scouts and 11 yr scouts – Expect the leaders of these groups to plan ahead and have a basic calendar for the Presidency to approve. The scouts should each have a rotating calendar to make sure all requirements can be met during the year. [Get LDS scout training if you don't understand this!]

Get your lists and schedules set up ahead, and make sure all who need it have a copy. Then you just simply execute the plan each week. Remember, you can tweak if needed, but the basics are in place. Many of these lists and schedules are great to post on the inside of your closet door, etc. Remember to plan with prayer and purpose. You will have greater success when you plan ahead and are prepared at the beginning of the year. Then, you will have much more time for the real work of Primary – people!

If you want it to happen – plan for it!